WHO Conflicts of
Interest Policy for
WHO Experts
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Key points of principle
 Revised Guidelines For Declaration of Interests for WHO Experts – issued in
June 2010
 Protect integrity and independence of the WHO's normative work.

Objective is not simply to fill out the form, but more importantly to assess
whether a COI exists.
 No DOI = No participation of the expert in the work or activity.
 Must balance any COI issue with the needs of WHO and broader public health
needs.
 Applies to individuals acting in a personal capacity i.e. not representatives.
 DOI Form is an internal Secretariat document, but info contained therein may
be publically disclosed.
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WHO's COI Definition
 A "conflict of interest" means any interest
declared by an expert that could impair or
be perceived as impairing his or her
objectivity and independence in providing
advice to WHO.
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Types of Interests
 Direct Interest
 Personal financial gain
 Business interest
 Research funding
 Intellectual property interest
 Interests of Others
 Family members
 Other parties with substantially similar interests
 Professional or Intellectual Bias
 Public statements made and positions held
 Involvement with Tobacco industry
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When is a DoI Required?
 Whenever WHO is relying on the independent advice of an
expert in order to make decisions or recommendations
especially in relation to the development of technical
norms, policies or guidelines.
 This typically occurs when an expert is either:
 Providing advice under contract or on a voluntary basis, or
 Participating in scientific or technical advisory meetings
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When is a DoI not Required?
 Observers
 Industry Representatives
 Representatives of national agencies and institutions,
intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations
 Governing Body Meetings
 Individuals under contract to WHO for the provision of
certain types of services.
 Entities / Institutions / Organizations
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Assessment of the DoI Form

An affirmative answer on the DoI Form does not
automatically disqualify an expert

Four Steps of Assessment:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Initial Review: Relevancy and Significance of the Interest
Factors to Consider
The Balancing Test
Possible Options
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Initial Review: Relevancy and
Significance of the Interest
 First evaluate whether the declared interest is
relevant and significant.
 Insignificant or minimal interests:
 Unrelated or only tangentially related to the subject of the
activity or work and its outcome
 Inconsequential in importance
 Expired and unlikely to affect current behaviour
 If the interest is insignificant, no further assessment is
necessary.
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Factors to Consider When
Assessing an Interest
 Its nature (specific vs. non-specific) (personal vs. institutional)
 Value of the interest
 Academic/intellectual v. financial
 Number of relevant interests declared
 If institutional, the position of the expert in the institution
 Timeliness of the declared interest
 Whether the interest relates to an immediate family member
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The Balancing Test
The nature, type and magnitude of the interest and therefore
the degree to which the it may be reasonably expected to
influence the expert's judgment
v.
The adequacy of the measures/options available to protect
the independence and integrity of the process that the
expert is involved in
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Possible Options if a Declared Interest is
Potentially Significant

Conditional Participation

Expert's involvement is continued

Expert's interest is publicly disclosed at the start of the meeting and
recorded in the report

Partial Exclusion

Expert is excluded from the relevant portion of the meeting, or

Expert is excluded from participating in the decision-making process

The reported interest must be publicly disclosed at the start of the
meeting and recorded in the report

Total Exclusion

Decision taken in consultation with the relevant ADG or Director of
Programme Management if in a regional or country office setting
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CEWG COI Process I
 DOI Forms and Guidelines where sent out to all 21 experts.
 All were completed and returned to the Secretariat.
 A dept. meeting with Legal was held during which all DOI Forms
were reviewed.
 Internal note to file was made.
 Ongoing obligation to disclose:
 CEWG members need to fill out DOI forms before each new
meeting.
 Continuing obligation to report changes to information provided.
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CEWG COI Process II
 All relevant interests, as determined by the Secretariat, will be
publically declared and noted in the meeting report.
 All relevant interests where discussed with the concerned
expert, clarifications sought and consent to declare obtained.
 In one case, it is being recommended that an expert recuse
himself from part of the meeting where he has a COI.
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