Editorial independence

The following Statement of Principle speaks to a core Elsevier value of intellectual freedom and independent editorial decisions. The statement is informed by the WAME(Wird in neuem Tab/Fenster geöffnet) policy, The Relationship Between Journal Editors-in-Chief and Owners(Wird in neuem Tab/Fenster geöffnet) and the RELX policy on editorial standards(Wird in neuem Tab/Fenster geöffnet) to which we abide. Of course, journal editors and publishers will always work together on the business of managing a particular journal, and share duties and responsibilities in this connection as further discussed in our publishing ethics policies.

Principle of editorial independence

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  We believe strongly in ensuring that we keep the editorial decision making processes of our publications completely separate from our commercial interests.

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  Safeguarding this editorial independence requires that all editorial decisions, or concerns or complaints, about editorial decisions are dealt with strictly within the editorial structures of a publication.

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  These structures typically include editors, editors-in-chief, editorial boards or review boards, and ombudsmen or analogous structures for the editorial governance of any given publication.

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  It further requires that no one on the commercial or executive side of the business can get involved in, interfere with or even comment on editorial decisions under any circumstances.

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  To deviate from the rigorous application of this principle in any individual situation would ultimately serve to undermine the integrity of the principle of editorial independence altogether.