CONTENTS

1. Scope and applicability
2. Definitions
3. General principles and editorial-commercial firewall
4. Permitted categories of advertising
5. Prohibited categories of advertising
6. Approval process for advertising
7. Visual distinction and labeling requirements
8. Non-juxtaposition rule
9. Non-endorsement clause
10. Healthcare and pharmaceutical advertising: regulatory compliance
11. Online and digital advertising
12. Sponsorship: general provisions
13. Sponsored supplements and special issues
14. Event sponsorship and partnerships
15. Advertiser and sponsor obligations and representations
16. Relationship with the Conflict of Interest Policy
17. Complaints regarding advertising and sponsorship
18. Financial transparency and reporting
19. Sensitive topics and reputational considerations
20. Review and update of this Policy
21. Direct marketing
22. Normative references

 

1. SCOPE AND APPLICABILITY

This Advertising and Sponsorship Policy sets out the principles, criteria, prohibitions, and operational procedures that govern the acceptance, management, and display of advertising and sponsorship in European Gynecology and Obstetrics (EGO), published by Edikta S.r.l. on behalf of the European Society of Gynecology.

The Policy applies to all forms of advertising and commercial communication associated with the Journal, including but not limited to: display advertising on the Journal website; advertising in digital publications; commercial sponsorship acknowledgments; clearly labeled sponsored notices; sponsored supplements; event sponsorship; and partnership arrangements involving financial or in-kind consideration. Native advertising, branded editorial-style content, and any sponsored material designed to resemble peer-reviewed articles, editorials, letters, commentaries, or other editorial content of the Journal are not accepted under any circumstances. They are subject to the prohibitions established in Section 5. The Policy applies to the Publisher, the Editorial Office, the Editor-in-Chief, the Editorial Board, and any third party engaged in the sale, management, or display of advertising on behalf of the Journal.

This Policy implements and expands upon Section 22 of the Editorial Policy Statement and must be read in conjunction with the Conflict of Interest Policy and, where applicable, the Special Issues Policy. In the event of conflict between the provisions of this Policy and any other document in the Editorial Policy Framework, this Policy prevails with respect to advertising and sponsorship matters.

The Journal currently operates under a diamond open access model with no Article Processing Charges. Advertising and sponsorship, where accepted, may contribute to the financial sustainability of the Journal; however, they do not constitute a necessary condition for its operation or for the maintenance of its diamond open access model, and shall not in any way condition editorial decisions. The potential absence of active advertising at any given time does not render this Policy inapplicable; the Policy governs any current or future commercial arrangement and constitutes a standing public commitment by the Journal to all stakeholders.

2. DEFINITIONS

For this Policy, the following definitions apply:

Advertising: any paid or in-kind communication placed by a third party (advertiser) that promotes a product, service, event, organization, or brand on the Journal's platforms, in digital publications, or in any other medium associated with the Journal. Advertising is distinct from editorial content and is subject to the provisions of this Policy.

Sponsor: any commercial or non-commercial entity that provides financial, in-kind, or other material support to the Journal, the Publisher, or the European Society of Gynecology in exchange for a named association with the Journal or with a specific editorial activity (conference, supplement, prize, award, or other initiative).

Sponsorship: any arrangement by which a sponsor provides financial or in-kind consideration in exchange for named association, visibility, or other agreed benefit, without acquiring any influence over editorial decisions.

Advertiser: any entity that purchases, or requests the placement of, advertising space on the Journal's platforms or publications.

Editorial content: peer-reviewed articles, editorials, letters, news items, commentaries, guidelines, and any other content whose production, selection, or publication is under the authority of the Editor-in-Chief and the Editorial Board, regardless of the medium of publication.

Commercial content: advertising, sponsorship acknowledgments, promotional inserts, sponsored supplements, and any other content whose placement is determined by a commercial arrangement rather than by editorial merit.

Editorial-commercial firewall: the structural and procedural separation between the commercial activities of the Journal (advertising, sponsorship) and its editorial activities (manuscript handling, peer review, publication decisions), such that commercial considerations do not influence, and cannot reasonably be perceived to influence, editorial decisions.

Sponsored supplement: a publication associated with the Journal but funded in whole or in part by an external sponsor, produced in addition to and separately from the regular issues of the Journal.

Native advertising/advertorial: any form of commercial content designed to simulate or resemble the appearance, format, style, or editorial register of peer-reviewed articles, editorials, letters, commentaries, or other editorial content. Such material is prohibited under Section 5 regardless of how the advertiser labels it.

3. GENERAL PRINCIPLES AND EDITORIAL-COMMERCIAL FIREWALL

3.1  The Journal may accept advertising and sponsorship in support of its editorial and scientific activities, subject to the conditions and limitations established in this Policy. The acceptance of advertising or sponsorship by the Publisher does not in any circumstance imply endorsement of the advertised or sponsored product, service, or entity by the Journal, the Publisher, or the European Society of Gynecology.

3.2  The overriding principle governing all advertising and sponsorship activity is the unconditional preservation of editorial independence. Advertisers and sponsors have no influence, direct or indirect, on editorial decisions, on the selection or handling of manuscripts, on the conduct of peer review, or on the content of published articles. This principle applies regardless of the financial value of the advertising or sponsorship arrangement.

3.3  The Journal maintains a strict and operationally enforced separation between editorial decision-making and commercial activities. This separation is ensured through defined roles, restricted access to confidential information, and documented procedures. No advertising arrangement, irrespective of its scope or value, entitles the advertiser or sponsor to:

-                influence the selection, rejection, or modification of any manuscript;

-                request the publication, suppression, or modification of any editorial content;

-                obtain advance knowledge of content to be published;

-                condition the continuation of an advertising arrangement on any editorial action or outcome;

-                participate in any editorial process in any capacity.

3.4  Commercial considerations do not enter into the assessment of manuscripts submitted to the Journal. The evaluation of manuscripts is based exclusively on scientific merit, methodological rigor, originality, and relevance to the scope of the Journal, as established in the Peer Review Policy.

3.5  The Publisher is responsible for all commercial activities of the Journal, including the management of advertising and sponsorship relationships. The Editor-in-Chief retains final authority to approve or reject advertising content solely to safeguard scientific integrity, ethical standards, and compliance with this Policy, consistent with the ICMJE principle that editors should have full and final authority to approve print and online advertisements and to enforce advertising policy. Such authority shall not extend to commercial negotiation, pricing, or management of advertiser relationships, which remain the exclusive responsibility of the Publisher. This editorial authority may not be delegated to commercial or administrative staff acting without editorial oversight.

3.6  The Publisher undertakes to maintain an organizational and procedural separation between its commercial activities and its editorial operations. Staff involved in the sale or management of advertising do not participate in editorial decisions and do not have access to information about specific manuscripts under consideration, except where such information has already been made publicly available.

3.7  Advertising shall never dominate the Journal website, article landing pages, issue pages, newsletters, or any other Journal communication. Advertising density, format, and placement must remain proportionate and must not interfere with access to, readability of, or navigation through editorial content. Consistent with the ICMJE principle that advertisements should not dominate journals, the Publisher is responsible for enforcing appropriate limits on advertising volume and format across all platforms associated with the Journal.

3.8  Necessary Operational Coordination

Limited operational coordination between editorial and commercial functions may occur solely to ensure compliance with this Policy, including the non-juxtaposition rule and the avoidance of misleading contextual associations. Such coordination shall not involve disclosure of confidential manuscript content before publication, nor permit advertisers or sponsors to influence editorial decisions, timing, or placement.

4. PERMITTED CATEGORIES OF ADVERTISING

4.1  The Journal accepts advertising for products, services, events, and organizations that are:

(a) of direct relevance to the professional readership of the Journal - clinical specialists in gynecology and obstetrics, researchers, trainees, and healthcare institutions;

(b) compliant with applicable laws and regulations in the jurisdiction of the advertiser and in the primary jurisdictions in which the Journal is accessed;

(c) truthful, accurate, and substantiated by evidence where clinical or scientific claims are made;

(d) consistent with the scientific and ethical standards upheld by the Journal.

4.2  Permitted categories include, without limitation:

-                pharmaceutical products and medical devices with the requisite regulatory approval in the jurisdiction in which they are marketed (EU marketing authorization, CE marking, FDA clearance, or equivalent national approval), relevant to gynecology, obstetrics, reproductive medicine, or women's health. For advertisements targeted at the European Union or Italy, EU marketing authorization or CE marking is the applicable standard. Advertising referring to regulatory approvals issued outside the European Union (including, but not limited to, FDA approval) shall be accepted only where: (a) the advertisement is clearly and exclusively directed to healthcare professionals in jurisdictions where such approval is legally sufficient; and (b) effective technical and content-based access controls are implemented to prevent access by the general public and by users in jurisdictions where such advertising would not be compliant. Where such restriction cannot be reasonably ensured, the Publisher shall apply the more restrictive applicable regulatory standard, including European Union law;

-                in vitro diagnostic medical devices with applicable regulatory clearance, relevant to prenatal screening, genetic testing, laboratory diagnostics, or reproductive medicine;

-                diagnostic and laboratory services relevant to the Journal's scope;

-                medical education resources, continuing professional development tools, courses, and accredited educational events;

-                scientific congresses, symposia, and meetings relevant to the Journal's scope;

-                medical and scientific publishing resources, textbooks, and reference works;

-                digital health applications and clinical decision support tools with regulatory clearance where applicable;

-                research funding bodies, foundations, and grant programs relevant to women's health research;

-                academic institutions and research centers;

-                professional services of legitimate interest to the readership (medical writing, biostatistics, clinical research organizations).

4.3  The acceptance of any specific advertisement is subject to the approval process established in Section 6. Inclusion in the categories listed above does not confer automatic eligibility; each request is assessed individually.

5. PROHIBITED CATEGORIES OF ADVERTISING

5.1  The Journal does not accept advertising for any of the following categories, regardless of the form, medium, or financial terms proposed:

(a) tobacco products, electronic cigarettes, vaping products, or products and services from tobacco companies or their affiliates and wholly owned subsidiaries;

(b) alcoholic beverages;

(c) recreational or controlled substances and related paraphernalia;

(d) gambling services or products;

(e) weapons, firearms, or related equipment;

(f) products making therapeutic or diagnostic claims that are unlicensed, unapproved, or not supported by evidence published in peer-reviewed scientific literature;

(g) medicinal products or medical devices whose advertising would violate applicable advertising standards, including - in the European Union - the provisions of Directive 2001/83/EC and its national transpositions, and Regulation (EU) 2017/745 on medical devices and Regulation (EU) 2017/746 on in vitro diagnostic medical devices;

(h) native advertising, advertorials, or any commercial content designed to simulate, resemble, or be mistaken for editorial content - including the appearance, format, or editorial register of peer-reviewed articles, editorials, news items, letters, or commentaries - regardless of how the advertiser labels the material. This prohibition is absolute across all formats and media;

(i) breast-milk substitutes and products covered by the WHO International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes (1981 and subsequent resolutions of the World Health Assembly), where the communication would constitute commercial promotion inconsistent with applicable public health standards;

(j) political organizations, campaigns, or advocacy groups promoting specific legislative or regulatory positions;

(k) products or services from entities whose operations conflict with the ethical principles of the Journal, European Society of Gynecology, or the Publisher, including entities subject to active regulatory sanctions or enforcement actions directly relevant to the subject matter of the Journal's scope;

(l) advertising that would create a direct and unmanaged conflict of interest with editorial content, including cases where: (i) the advertised product is the subject of a manuscript under active review; and (ii) the relationship is not disclosed and managed under the Conflict of Interest Policy.

5.2  The Publisher reserves the right to reject any advertising request not falling into the explicitly prohibited categories listed above if, in the judgment of the Editor-in-Chief or the Publisher, acceptance would compromise the Journal's scientific reputation, editorial independence, or its standing with readers, authors, reviewers, or indexing bodies. Where a request is refused for reasons not explicitly covered by the above list, the Publisher will communicate the reason for refusal to the applicant.

6. APPROVAL PROCESS FOR ADVERTISING

6.1  All requests for advertising placement are submitted to the Publisher's administrative office. The Publisher conducts an initial review to assess whether the proposed advertisement falls within the permitted categories of Section 4 and does not fall within the prohibited categories of Section 5.

6.2  Following the initial review, all proposed advertisements are submitted to the Editor-in-Chief for approval before placement. The Editor-in-Chief has full and final authority to approve or reject any proposed advertisement, consistent with the ICMJE principle that editors should have full and final authority for approving print and online advertisements and for enforcing advertising policy. This authority applies to all forms of advertising covered by this Policy.

6.3  Advertisements making therapeutic, diagnostic, or clinical claims must be accompanied, at the time of submission to the Publisher, by documentation demonstrating: (a) the regulatory status of the product in the primary markets targeted; (b) the published peer-reviewed evidence supporting any clinical claims; (c) compliance with applicable professional advertising codes.

6.4  The target audience of the Journal (healthcare professionals) governs the applicable advertising regime. Advertisers are responsible for compliance with the applicable professional advertising regime in their jurisdiction; the Publisher's approval is not a substitute for such compliance.

6.5  The Publisher maintains a register of approved advertisements and active advertising agreements. This register is accessible to the Editor-in-Chief at all times.

6.6  Advertising agreements are entered into for defined periods. Renewal of an advertising agreement does not confer automatic re-approval; each renewal is subject to review under the criteria outlined in this Policy.

7. VISUAL DISTINCTION AND LABELLING REQUIREMENTS

7.1  All commercial content must be clearly and unambiguously distinguishable from editorial content in all media in which it appears. The visual and typographic distinction between commercial and editorial content must be such that a reader cannot reasonably mistake one for the other.

7.2  All advertisements displayed on the Journal's website or in digital publications must bear a clear label, prominently placed, identifying the content as advertising. Permitted labels include: "Advertisement", "Advert", "Sponsored", or equivalent formulations. No label may simulate the editorial bylines, attribution formats, or section headings used for peer-reviewed content.

7.3  Sponsor acknowledgments associated with sponsored supplements, events, or prizes must be clearly labeled as such. They must not be formatted to suggest editorial production or endorsement by the Journal.

7.4  Advertisements and sponsorship materials may not use the Journal's name, logo, visual identity, or that of the European Society of Gynecology or the Publisher in any manner that implies endorsement, certification, or approval. The Journal does not grant endorsement of commercial products or services under any circumstances. Accordingly, the use of such branding in advertising is prohibited except for factual, non-promotional identification expressly authorized in writing by the Publisher.

7.5  Where advertising appears alongside editorial content on the same webpage or in the same publication, the physical, visual, or digital separation must be sufficient to prevent any reasonable association between the commercial and editorial content. The implementation of this requirement in digital environments is the responsibility of the Publisher's technical team.

8. NON-JUXTAPOSITION RULE

8.1  The Journal does not sell or place advertising in a manner that results in the intentional juxtaposition of an advertisement for a specific product with editorial content addressing the same product or a directly competing product in the same issue, on the same webpage, or in the same digital context.

8.2  This principle extends to: advertisements for pharmaceutical products juxtaposed with articles reporting clinical trial results for the same product or active class; advertising for medical devices juxtaposed with systematic reviews or guidelines evaluating the same device; and sponsorship arrangements in which the sponsor's product is the primary subject of editorial content published in the same context.

8.3  Where incidental proximity between an advertisement and related editorial content cannot be avoided due to the technical architecture of the Journal's digital platform, the Publisher must implement a visible disclaimer indicating that the placement is coincidental and that no commercial relationship exists between the advertiser and the editorial content.

8.4  The non-juxtaposition rule reflects the ICMJE best practice standard that prohibits selling advertisements intended to be juxtaposed with editorial content on the same product and is applied by the Publisher in both print and digital formats.

9. NON-ENDORSEMENT CLAUSE

9.1  The acceptance and publication of any advertisement on the Journal's platforms or in publications associated with the Journal does not constitute endorsement of the advertised product, service, organization, or entity by the Journal, the Publisher, or the European Society of Gynecology. This principle applies regardless of the duration, frequency, or financial value of the advertising arrangement.

9.2  No advertisement may state, imply, or visually suggest that the Journal, the Publisher, or the European Society of Gynecology endorses, recommends, or has validated the advertised product or service. Any claim to this effect constitutes a material breach of the advertising agreement and entitles the Publisher to suspend or terminate the arrangement with immediate effect.

9.3  The Journal does not award marks, seals, logos, or certificates of quality or approval to advertisers or sponsors in connection with or as consideration for an advertising or sponsorship arrangement.

9.4  Where an advertiser or sponsor makes public statements attributing endorsement to the Journal, the Publisher, or the European Society of Gynecology in connection with an advertising or sponsorship arrangement, the Publisher will issue a public correction and may pursue appropriate remedies.

10. HEALTHCARE AND PHARMACEUTICAL ADVERTISING: REGULATORY COMPLIANCE

10.1  The advertising of medicinal products and medical devices in the Journal is subject to the applicable international, European, and national regulatory framework. The primary international standard is established by the WHO Ethical Criteria for Medicinal Drug Promotion (World Health Assembly, WHA41.17, 1988), which reflects the regulatory consensus of the vast majority of jurisdictions worldwide and provides that advertising of prescription-only medicinal products to the general public should not generally be permitted for drugs for serious conditions treatable only by qualified health practitioners. The IFPMA Code of Practice (current version) constitutes the global self-regulatory standard of the pharmaceutical industry, restricting promotion of prescription-only medicinal products to healthcare professionals in all countries where IFPMA member companies operate.

10.2  Consistent with these international standards, advertising for prescription-only medicinal products must be directed exclusively at healthcare professionals. The Journal's website being publicly accessible globally, the Publisher shall implement effective technical and content-based access controls (including, where appropriate, registration gating, audience restriction mechanisms, or prominent professional audience disclaimers) to ensure that advertising for prescription-only medicinal products is not accessible to the general public or to users in jurisdictions where such access would be non-compliant. Where such controls cannot be reliably implemented, the advertisement shall not be accepted. These obligations apply globally, not exclusively to the European Union or Italy.

10.3  In the European Union - the jurisdiction of the Publisher's domicile - these obligations are additionally governed by:

-                Directive 2001/83/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 November 2001 on the Community code relating to medicinal products for human use, as amended, Title VIII (Advertising), and in particular Article 88 prohibiting advertising of prescription-only medicinal products to the general public;

-                D.Lgs. 24 April 2006, n. 219 (Codice del Farmaco), as amended, Articles 113-152, governing advertising of medicinal products in Italy;

-                Regulation (EU) 2017/745 on medical devices (MDR), as applicable to the advertising and promotion of medical devices;

-                Regulation (EU) 2017/746 on in vitro diagnostic medical devices (IVDR), applicable to diagnostic, laboratory, genetic, prenatal screening, and in vitro diagnostic products;

-                AIFA official guidance, Q&A documents, deposit procedures, administrative instructions, and any applicable acts of direction concerning the promotion of medicinal products to healthcare professionals, as published from time to time by the Agenzia Italiana del Farmaco;

-                The EFPIA Code on the Promotion of Prescription-Only Medicines to, and Interactions with, Healthcare Professionals, and its national implementation through the Farmindustria Code, where applicable.

10.4  Advertising for prescription-only medicinal products accepted by the Journal must: (a) be consistent with the applicable Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) or equivalent regulatory approval document; (b) present the medicinal product objectively and without exaggeration; (c) include the essential information compatible with the applicable SmPC and required under the professional advertising regime of the relevant jurisdiction; (d) not make claims that the relevant regulatory authority has not approved; (e) not be misleading about the safety profile.

10.5  Advertising for medical devices must be consistent with the intended purpose as specified in the applicable conformity assessment documentation and must comply with Regulation (EU) 2017/745. Advertising for in vitro diagnostic medical devices must comply with Regulation (EU) 2017/746. Regulatory compliance remains the exclusive responsibility of the advertiser.

10.6  The Publisher is entitled to require advertisers to submit documentation of regulatory compliance as a precondition for placement. The Publisher's review of submitted documentation constitutes an administrative verification step and does not substitute for the advertiser's own legal and regulatory responsibilities.

11. ONLINE AND DIGITAL ADVERTISING

11.1  Online advertising on the Journal's website may include display banners, interstitials, or other digital formats accepted by the Publisher. All digital advertising is subject to the provisions of this Policy.

11.2  The Journal permits only contextual advertising that does not rely on behavioral targeting, profiling, or tracking of individual users based on personal data or browsing behavior. Cookies or identifiers may be used only where strictly necessary for the delivery of non-personalized advertising and in compliance with applicable data protection laws. Any digital advertising that involves the collection, processing, or use of website visitors' personal data must comply with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR) and the applicable provisions of Directive 2002/58/EC (ePrivacy Directive), as implemented in Italian law. The Publisher's Privacy and Data Protection Policy (24_PDPP_EGO_v1.0_EN) governs data processing activities on the Journal's website.

11.3  Where programmatic advertising is used, it shall be configured exclusively on a contextual, non-profiling basis and shall include: (a) categorical blocklists aligned with Section 5; (b) periodic compliance audits; and (c) immediate takedown mechanisms. Any programmatic system that cannot be configured to meet these requirements shall not be used.

11.4  Social media and newsletter communications associated with the Journal that contain commercial content must comply with all provisions of this Policy applicable to online advertising. They must be clearly labeled as commercial or sponsored content.

11.5  Email communications from the Journal to registered users, authors, or subscribers may not be used by third-party advertisers for direct marketing purposes without the explicit consent of the recipients, in compliance with applicable ePrivacy requirements.

12. SPONSORSHIP: GENERAL PROVISIONS

12.1  The Journal may enter into sponsorship arrangements with commercial or non-commercial entities that wish to support specific editorial activities, including scientific events, awards, prizes, educational initiatives, or publication activities, in exchange for named acknowledgment and visibility.

12.2  All sponsorship arrangements are subject to the editorial-commercial firewall established in Section 3. Sponsors do not influence editorial decisions, content selection, or the outcome of scientific activities associated with the Journal.

12.3  All sponsorship arrangements must be formalized in a written agreement specifying: the identity of the sponsor; the nature and scope of the sponsorship; the specific activity or initiative being sponsored; the form and extent of the acknowledgment to which the sponsor is entitled; the explicit statement that the sponsor does not influence editorial content; and the terms and conditions of renewal or termination.

12.4  Sponsorship arrangements must be publicly disclosed. Where a sponsored activity results in published content, the sponsorship must be disclosed in the publication itself, with an explicit statement of the sponsor's role and a declaration that the sponsor did not influence content.

12.5  The Journal does not accept sponsorship from entities in the prohibited categories listed in Section 5. The same criteria of Section 6 apply to the evaluation of sponsorship requests.

12.6  The European Society of Gynecology may enter into sponsorship arrangements in connection with its own scientific activities and events. Where such arrangements involve the Journal or the use of the Journal's name or branding, they are subject to the provisions of this Policy and require the approval of the Publisher and the Editor-in-Chief.

13. SPONSORED SUPPLEMENTS AND SPECIAL ISSUES

13.1  The Journal may publish sponsored supplements - publications associated with the Journal but produced with external funding - subject to the conditions established in this Section.

13.2  All sponsored supplements must satisfy the following conditions:

(a) the topic of the supplement must fall within the scientific scope of the Journal;

(b) all articles published in the supplement must undergo peer review under the same standards applied to regular submissions, as established in the Peer Review Policy (04_PRP_EGO_v1.3_EN);

(c) the Editor-in-Chief retains full authority and control over editorial policy, practices, and content of the supplement, including the selection of authors, guest editors, reviewers, and the approval of all content; the Editor-in-Chief's authority includes the right to reject any article that does not meet the Journal's quality standards or that conflicts with its ethical principles;

(d) the source of the idea for the supplement, the source of funding, and any products or services of the sponsor that are related to the supplement topic must be disclosed in the introductory material of the supplement;

(e) the supplement must be clearly labeled as a sponsored supplement on the cover, in all digital metadata, and in all references to the supplement in indexing databases; the label must identify the sponsor;

(f) sponsors may not draft, edit, review, approve, or veto supplement manuscripts, editorial introductions, peer-review reports, author selection, reviewer selection, or final editorial decisions; any attempt to exercise such influence constitutes a material breach of the sponsorship agreement and entitles the Publisher to cancel the supplement;

(g) editors, guest editors, reviewers, and editorial staff may not accept personal remuneration, gifts, hospitality, or other personal benefits from sponsors in connection with sponsored supplements or special issues, beyond the reimbursement of legitimate documented expenses;

(h) the sponsor may not condition the continuation of financial support on the publication of specific articles, the inclusion of specific authors, or the endorsement of specific products or positions;

(i) any conflict of interest between the supplement content and the sponsor's commercial interests must be declared and managed under the Conflict of Interest Policy;

(j) the supplement must include a disclaimer stating that the views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Journal, the Publisher, or European Society of Gynecology.

13.3  Sponsored special issues within the regular Journal (as distinct from supplements) are subject to the provisions of the Special Issues and Policy. Where a proposed special issue involves external sponsorship, the additional requirements of this Policy apply.

13.4  Sponsored supplements funded by pharmaceutical companies or medical device manufacturers that address the clinical performance, safety, or comparative effectiveness of the funder's own products are accepted only in exceptional circumstances. Such proposals require explicit approval from both the Editor-in-Chief and the Publisher and are subject to enhanced conflict-of-interest disclosure requirements under the Conflict of Interest Policy.

14. EVENT SPONSORSHIP AND PARTNERSHIPS

14.1  The Journal may enter into sponsorship arrangements for scientific events organized or co-organized by the European Society of Gynecology, the Publisher, or in which the Journal has a formal role. Event sponsorship is subject to the general provisions of Section 12.

14.2  Sponsors of scientific events associated with the Journal may not, by virtue of their sponsorship, influence the program, the selection of speakers, the content of presentations, or the editorial treatment of any content derived from the event.

14.3  Where scientific event proceedings or selected presentations from a sponsored event are subsequently published in the Journal or in a supplement, the provisions of Sections 12 and 13 apply in full.

14.4  Partnerships with scientific societies, research networks, or professional associations that involve the Journal's name or branding are subject to the principles of this Policy. Where a partnership involves an entity with commercial interests directly relevant to the Journal's scientific scope, the editorial-commercial firewall provisions of Section 3 apply with the same force as for commercial sponsors.

14.5  The acknowledgment of event sponsors on event materials, the Journal's website, or in publications must be clearly labeled as sponsorship and must not suggest endorsement of the sponsor's products or services.

15. ADVERTISER AND SPONSOR OBLIGATIONS AND REPRESENTATIONS

15.1  By submitting an advertising request or entering into a sponsorship agreement with the Publisher, the advertiser or sponsor represents and warrants that:

(a) the proposed advertisement or sponsorship activity complies with all applicable laws and regulations in the relevant jurisdictions, including any applicable environmental claims standards;

(b) the advertising materials are truthful, accurate, and not misleading;

(c) any clinical or scientific claims made in the advertisement are substantiated by published peer-reviewed evidence and consistent with the regulatory status of the product;

(d) the advertiser or sponsor does not hold, and will not seek, any influence over editorial decisions, manuscript handling, or published content of the Journal;

(e) the advertiser or sponsor accepts and acknowledges the non-endorsement clause established in Section 9.

15.2  The advertiser or sponsor undertakes to notify the Publisher promptly of any material change in the regulatory status of an advertised product, including suspension or revocation of marketing authorization, CE marking, or equivalent approval, or any regulatory warning or enforcement action directly relevant to the advertised product.

15.3  Breach of any representation or undertaking in this Section entitles the Publisher to suspend or terminate the advertising or sponsorship arrangement with immediate effect, without liability to the advertiser or sponsor.

16. RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY

16.1  This Policy operates in conjunction with the Conflict of Interest Policy. Authors of articles published in the Journal are required to disclose any financial relationship with entities whose products or services are advertised in the Journal or who have sponsored any activity of the Journal, in accordance with Section 8 of the Conflict of Interest Policy.

16.2  The existence of an advertising or sponsorship relationship between a commercial entity and the Journal does not, by itself, constitute a conflict of interest for the Editor-in-Chief or for members of the Editorial Board. However, any financial relationship between an individual editor or reviewer and an entity that is also an advertiser or sponsor of the Journal must be disclosed under Section 11 of the Conflict of Interest Policy and managed accordingly.

16.3  The Publisher does not hold financial interests in commercial entities whose products are the subject of manuscripts under review in the Journal beyond arm's length commercial advertising relationships. Where the Publisher or European Society of Gynecology holds a financial interest in an entity whose manuscript is under review - other than a standard advertising relationship - this constitutes a publisher-level conflict of interest under Section 14 of the Conflict of Interest Policy and must be disclosed to the Editor-in-Chief, who shall implement appropriate management measures.

16.4  The Funding section of published articles discloses, in accordance with Section 9 of the Conflict of Interest Policy, any role played by commercial sponsors in the design, conduct, or reporting of the research. The existence of a commercial advertising relationship between the funder and the Journal does not affect this disclosure obligation.

16.5  Clarification of Advertising Relationships

A standard advertising or sponsorship relationship between an entity and the Journal does not, in itself, constitute a conflict of interest. A conflict arises only where: (a) an individual (editor, reviewer, or author) has a personal or financial relationship with the advertiser; or (b) an advertising arrangement intersects directly with specific editorial content in a manner that could affect, or reasonably be perceived to affect, editorial independence.

17. COMPLAINTS REGARDING ADVERTISING AND SPONSORSHIP

17.1  Readers, authors, reviewers, and other stakeholders may submit complaints regarding advertising or sponsorship activities of the Journal. Complaints may concern: the acceptance of advertising falling within prohibited categories; the failure to maintain the editorial-commercial firewall; the misleading or inaccurate content of an advertisement; or any other alleged violation of this Policy.

17.2  Complaints must be submitted in writing to the Publisher's editorial address, with the subject line "Advertising Complaint". The Publisher acknowledges receipt within 5 working days and provides a substantive response within 30 working days. Where the complaint involves the Editor-in-Chief, the response is provided by the Publisher independently of the editorial leadership.

17.3  Where a complaint identifies advertising content that is potentially misleading or inaccurate, the Publisher suspends the display of the advertisement pending investigation, without prejudice to the rights of the advertiser.

17.4  Where a complaint cannot be resolved between the complainant and the Publisher, the complainant may escalate the matter to the relevant national advertising standards authority (Istituto dell'Autodisciplina Pubblicitaria - IAP, for Italy, or the national equivalent in the complainant's jurisdiction) or to AIFA with respect to the advertising of medicinal products in Italy.

17.5  The Journal considers for publication, in the form of Letters to the Editor, substantiated criticisms of published advertisements that raise issues of scientific accuracy or clinical relevance, consistent with the ICMJE recommendation that editors should consider all criticisms of advertisements for publication.

18. FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY AND REPORTING

18.1  The Publisher publicly discloses whether the Journal derives revenue from advertising, sponsorship, sponsored supplements, event sponsorship, reprints, institutional support, society support, or other commercial sources. This disclosure is published on the Journal's website in a dedicated section entitled "Revenue Sources and Commercial Disclosure" or equivalent, and is updated annually. Where named sponsorship is associated with a specific supplement, event, award, or initiative, the sponsor identity is disclosed publicly in connection with the relevant activity.

18.2  Where a specific sponsored supplement, event, or initiative is associated with a named commercial sponsor, the identity of the sponsor and the nature of the sponsorship are publicly disclosed in the publication or event materials, as established in Section 12.4.

18.3  The diamond open access model of the Journal - which entails that authors and readers pay no fees - is not contingent on advertising revenue. The Journal's editorial operations and publication model are structurally independent from advertising and sponsorship revenue, and no editorial decision or outcome shall depend on the presence, absence, or level of such revenue. The Publisher commits to maintaining the diamond open-access model regardless of changes in advertising revenue.

18.4  Where a future transition away from the diamond model to an APC-bearing model is contemplated, the provisions of Section 20 of the Editorial Policy Statement apply. This transition, if it occurs, is independent of any advertising or sponsorship arrangement.

19. SENSITIVE TOPICS AND REPUTATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

19.1  Given the subject matter of the Journal - gynecology, obstetrics, and women's health - certain advertising categories require particular attention to reputational, clinical, and ethical dimensions, beyond the regulatory compliance requirements of Section 10. The Publisher and the Editor-in-Chief apply heightened scrutiny to advertising of products or services in clinically, legally, ethically, or socially sensitive areas of women's and reproductive health, where advertising claims require heightened scrutiny due to potential public-health, evidentiary, regulatory, or reputational implications. This includes, without limitation:

-                products for which the evidence base supporting the advertised clinical claims is the subject of active scientific debate or recent regulatory review;

-                diagnostic tests or screening services for prenatal diagnosis, genetic testing, or reproductive decision-making, particularly where claims of sensitivity, specificity, or clinical utility are contested;

-                products or services whose commercial communication has been the subject of regulatory warnings, peer-reviewed criticisms, or litigation in jurisdictions where the Journal is widely accessed.

19.2  Advertising relating to sensitive topics shall be subject to enhanced review based on the following criteria: (a) consistency with current clinical guidelines and regulatory assessments, where scientific consensus is assessed by reference to current clinical guidelines, regulatory authority assessments, systematic reviews, and positions of recognized scientific or professional bodies relevant to the subject matter of the advertising claim; (b) robustness and level of consensus of supporting evidence; and (c) absence of significant unresolved regulatory concern, safety warning, or relevant litigation.

19.3  Advertising may be rejected where, based on documented assessment, it presents a material risk of misleading healthcare professionals, undermining scientific credibility, or harming public trust in the Journal.

19.4  Decisions under this Section shall be documented by the Publisher and, where applicable, the Editor-in-Chief, with reference to identifiable sources, including regulatory communications, clinical guidelines, or systematic reviews.

20. REVIEW AND UPDATE OF THIS POLICY

20.1  This Policy is reviewed at intervals not exceeding 2 years from the date of adoption, or upon the occurrence of any of the following events: a material change in the regulatory framework applicable to healthcare advertising in the European Union or in Italy; the adoption of new ICMJE, COPE, or DOAJ provisions directly relevant to advertising and sponsorship; a material change in the advertising or economic model of the Journal; or the identification of a significant gap or ambiguity through the complaint procedure of Section 17.

20.2  The Publisher approves revisions to this Policy in consultation with the Editor-in-Chief. Material changes are communicated to active advertisers and sponsors with a minimum notice period of 30 calendar days before entry into force.

20.3  The current version of this Policy is published on the Journal's website and is accessible from the homepage. The version history is maintained in Section 22.

21. Direct Marketing

    21.1  Scope.  This section governs all direct marketing activities conducted on behalf of the Journal, including without limitation: unsolicited or solicited invitations to authors to submit manuscripts; communications addressed to prospective reviewers; promotional newsletters, bulletins, and announcements; conference and event communications; and any other targeted outreach addressed to researchers, clinicians, or other members of the scientific community on behalf of the Journal. This section implements the obligations set out in Principle 16 of the Principles of Transparency and Best Practice in Scholarly Publishing (COPE/DOAJ/OASPA/WAME, version 4, 2022).

    21.2  General principles.  All direct marketing activities conducted on behalf of the Journal must comply with the following principles, consistent with Principle 16 of the COPE/DOAJ/OASPA/WAME Transparency Principles and applicable data protection legislation:

    -                Appropriateness. Communications must be relevant to the recipient's professional field and expertise. They must not constitute unsolicited commercial communication within the meaning of the ePrivacy Directive (Directive 2002/58/EC) or the GDPR (Regulation (EU) 2016/679), or of their national implementing measures.

    -                Targeted outreach. Communications are addressed only to individuals for whom the content is professionally relevant, based on verifiable criteria such as publication record, declared research interests, or professional role. Mass or indiscriminate solicitation of manuscripts or reviewer participation is prohibited.

    -                Non-intrusiveness. The frequency and format of direct marketing communications are designed to avoid causing undue disruption to recipients and to preserve the Journal's professional reputation.

    -                Truthfulness and accuracy. All information about the Journal conveyed in direct marketing communications must be accurate, complete, and consistent with the Journal's published editorial policies. No misleading claims about indexing status, acceptance rates, impact, or editorial outcomes may be made or implied.

    21.3  Solicitation of manuscripts.  The Journal may invite potential authors to submit manuscripts where the recipient's published work demonstrates clear relevance to the Journal's scientific scope. Solicitation communications must: (a) identify the Journal accurately; (b) include a direct link to the current Submission Guidelines; (c) clearly state that the Journal does not guarantee acceptance; and (d) not offer or imply any form of payment, expedited processing, or preferential treatment in exchange for submission.

    21.4  Recruitment of reviewers.  Invitations to individuals to serve as peer reviewers must accurately describe the scope of the review, the estimated time commitment, and the lack of financial compensation. Reviewer recruitment communications must not misrepresent the Journal's indexing status, prestige, or citation metrics.

    21.5  Opt-out mechanism.  All direct marketing communications addressed to individuals outside the Journal's editorial team include a clear, prominently placed, and functional mechanism allowing recipients to opt out of further communications. Opt-out requests are processed without undue delay and in any event within 5 working days of receipt, in compliance with the requirements of the GDPR and the ePrivacy Directive. Opt-out preferences are recorded and respected in all subsequent campaigns. Data processing related to direct marketing activities is governed by the Journal's Privacy and Data Protection Policy.

    21.6  Responsibility.  The Publisher (Edikta S.r.l.) is responsible for executing direct marketing activities on behalf of the Journal. The Editor-in-Chief defines the scientific scope and target audience of any outreach initiative. Direct marketing activities may not be delegated to third parties, including commercial marketing services, without the prior written approval of both the Publisher and the Editor-in-Chief.

    21.7  Compliance and review.  Direct marketing activities are subject to the same review cycle as this Policy (Section 20). Any complaint regarding direct marketing communications received under Section 17 is assessed and addressed within 30 calendar days. The Journal does not engage in any direct marketing practice that would, if conducted by a third party, fall within the definition of predatory marketing under the COPE/DOAJ/OASPA/WAME Transparency Principles or within the prohibitions established in Section 5 of this Policy.

       22.  Normative references

This Policy is drafted in compliance with the following standards, guidelines, and regulatory instruments:

Standard / Instrument	Reference
ICMJE Recommendations	Section III.J (Advertising) and Section III.H (Sponsorships and Partnerships). Current version (updated January 2026). International Committee of Medical Journal Editors.
COPE / DOAJ / OASPA / WAME	Principles of Transparency and Best Practice in Scholarly Publishing, version 4 (2022), Principle 14 (Advertising) and Principle 16 (Direct Marketing).
WHO Ethical Criteria	Ethical Criteria for Medicinal Drug Promotion (WHA41.17, 13 May 1988). World Health Organization.
IFPMA Code of Practice	International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations Code of Practice, current version.
Directive 2001/83/EC	European Parliament and Council Directive of 6 November 2001 on the Community code relating to medicinal products for human use, as amended, Title VIII (Advertising).
D.Lgs. 219/2006	D.Lgs. 24 April 2006, n. 219 (Codice del Farmaco), as amended. Articles 113-152 (Pubblicità dei medicinali). Italy.
Regulation (EU) 2017/745 (MDR)	European Parliament and Council Regulation of 5 April 2017 on medical devices. Applicable to advertising and promotion of medical devices.
Regulation (EU) 2017/746 (IVDR)	European Parliament and Council Regulation of 5 April 2017 on in vitro diagnostic medical devices.
GDPR - Regulation (EU) 2016/679	General Data Protection Regulation. Applicable to digital advertising and data processing on the Journal's website.
Directive 2002/58/EC (ePrivacy)	ePrivacy Directive, as implemented in Italian law (D.Lgs. 196/2003, as amended by D.Lgs. 101/2018). Applicable to electronic direct marketing communications and opt-out obligations.
EFPIA Code	Code on the Promotion of Prescription-Only Medicines to, and Interactions with, Healthcare Professionals. Current version.
Farmindustria Code	Codice deontologico di Farmindustria per la promozione dei farmaci a obbligo di prescrizione. Current version.
AIFA guidance	AIFA official guidance, Q&A documents, deposit procedures, and administrative instructions concerning the promotion of medicinal products to healthcare professionals.
IAP Code	Codice di Autodisciplina della Comunicazione Commerciale. Istituto dell'Autodisciplina Pubblicitaria (IAP), Italy. Current version.
WHO International Code	WHO International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes (1981) and subsequent WHA resolutions.
Editorial Policy Statement	Editorial Policy Statement, Section 22 (Advertising and Commercial Firewall). European Gynecology and Obstetrics (EGO).
Conflict of Interest Policy	Conflict of Interest Policy, Sections 7, 9, and 14. European Gynecology and Obstetrics (EGO)
Special Issues Policy	Special Issues Policy. European Gynecology and Obstetrics (EGO).
Privacy and Data Protection Policy	Privacy and Data Protection Policy. European Gynecology and Obstetrics (EGO). Applies to data processing in direct marketing activities (Section 22.5).