The International Council of Museums (ICOM) adopted a new ethical code to guide museum activities worldwide, approved by 85.9% of members, during its 41st ordinary general assembly in Paris on Monday.

The new code reduces the eight principles of the 2004 code to five. These principles include guidelines on museums' relationship with society: "Museums serve society"; professionalism: "Museums operate and communicate with competence, knowledge, and professional standards"; education: "Museums provide diverse experiences for knowledge exchange and reflection"; collections: "Museums research, collect, and preserve"; and governance: "Museums are permanent, non-profit institutions."

The new code also calls for prompt restitution in accordance with applicable laws and disclosure of any potential conflicts of interest.

This new framework is the result of a years-long process overseen by ICOM's Ethics Committee (ETHCOM), with the participation of 114 national and international committees, regional alliances, and affiliated organizations.

The new code represents the first revision of ICOM's code of ethics since 2004, addressing the changing museum landscape facing challenges related to artificial intelligence, the climate crisis, and the legacy of colonialism.

The ICOM administration stated in a press release: "This framework guides museums and their staff in protecting and promoting cultural heritage, building and strengthening public trust, and serving society."

While the omission of terms such as decolonization, restitution, and repatriation raised concerns, an ICOM spokesperson emphasized that although the new code is formulated as an ethics-based document, the law remains its foundation, and lenient interpretations of legal principles are in fact ethical actions.

ICOM is also developing additional practical guidelines to help museums apply the code in diverse legal, cultural, and professional contexts.

The International Council of Museums is a non-governmental organization that sets operating standards for museums worldwide.

Notably, the removal of a 2004 principle stating that "museums operate in a lawful manner" was described as a "substantial change" in the new code.