Ethics Review Committees

Ethical review is obligatory by law for all research that is subject to the WMO. The METC acts as an accredited independent Ethics Committee for review and approval of all scientific research with human participants subject to the WMO. Prior to the start of each WMO complicit research project performed at Maastricht UMC+, the Executive Board of Maastricht UMC+ requires the METC to review and approve the project.
For more information on the involvement and tasks of the METC during the preparation, execution and closure of scientific research with human participants, please consult the website of the METC.

For non-WMO research with patients from the academic hospital, it is obliged by the Executive Board of Maastricht UMC+ to submit your research plan to the METC for judgement. Researchers undertaking work with human participants that falls outside the scope of the WMO and does not include patients from the academic hospital, are able to submit their research proposal to the ‘FHML-REC’ - the FHML Research Ethics Committee for ethics review.
For questions concerning non-WMO research, the METC or FHML-REC can be contacted.

Maastricht UMC+ and UM are aware of the ethical objections regarding experimentation on animals and only conducts animal experiments when the scientific necessity for this research has been established by an independent animal experiments committee (Dier Experiment Commissie, DEC, in Dutch). Respectful treatment of animals, reduction of the number of animals used and refinement of the applied methods to minimize animal suffering (collectively known as the 3Rs – replacement, reduction and refinement) serve as points of departure in all the research.
For more information on the involvement and tasks of the DEC please consult the website of the DEC. 

Applications to the FHML-REC should be made using the following forms (which contain details of how to submit the forms):

• For PhD students or academic staff appointed in FHML
• For Master’s students and their supervisors

Return the completed forms to fhml-rec@maastrichtuniversity.nl
Any question should be addressed to fhml-rec@maastrichtuniversity.nl

Meetings
The FHML-REC meets once a month, with two alternating panels. Once submitted, an application is reviewed by the next available panel. The response from the panel can be expected within 10 working days from the date of the meeting.

Links:

• UM data management code of conduct
• Netherlands code of conduct for research integrity