Code of Conduct

(Adopted by the American College of Toxicology July 23, 2020)

The American College of Toxicology (ACT) is committed to providing a safe, productive, and welcoming environment for all ACT sponsored events. All participants, including, but not limited to attendees, speakers, volunteers, exhibitors, ACT staff members, and service providers are expected to abide by this Code of Conduct. This policy applies to all ACT hosted or co-hosted events, including conferences, educational courses, symposia, in-person meetings, webinars, teleconferences, and other electronically derived communication platforms.

ACT has zero-tolerance for any form of discrimination or harassment. If you experience harassment or become aware of any incidents of unacceptable behavior, ACT asks that you inform ACT Headquarters at [email protected]; 703.547.0875 so that ACT can take the appropriate action.

Attendees must always adhere to the principles outlined in this Code of Conduct, namely:

• Meeting and event participants should contribute to an inclusive, positive, collegial, and respectful environment.
  • Harassment of any kind, including sexual, verbal, written, or physical (in-person or online) will not be tolerated. Meeting and event participants must avoid any inappropriate comments or actions based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation, gender expression or identity), pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, political affiliation or views, veteran or civil service status, educational or professional background.
• Electronic copying of presentation materials, discussion notes or like during webinars, teleconferences, virtual meetings, or other ACT events is prohibited. Video or audio recording of presentations, including slides, oral or poster presentations is not allowed without the presenter/author’s written permission.
• Presentations, postings, and messages should not contain promotional materials, special offers, employment offers, product announcements, or solicitation for services. ACT reserves the right to remove such messages and potentially ban sources of those solicitations.
• Individuals should only use the ACT trademark, insignia, name, and logos with permission and in a manner that is compliant with ACT guidance.
• Individuals must obey all applicable laws and regulations of the relevant government authorities.

ACT reserves the right to take any action deemed necessary and appropriate, including immediate removal from the meeting or event without warning or refund, in response to any incident of unacceptable behavior, and ACT reserves the right to prohibit attendance at any future meeting or event, virtually or in person. Consequences of misconduct may result in further action, per ACT Code of Ethics and pursuant to the process detailed in ACT Bylaws.