Code of Conduct

• 1.1 The Nexus Standards are developed by people from governments, international organisations, science, industry, finance, civil society, Indigenous and local communities and the standards community. This Code sets the conduct that makes that work possible.
• 1.2 It applies in every space of the programme: the public repository, comment channels, meetings, workshops, field exercises, events, mailing lists and the Sites, and wherever a person represents the programme or one of its bodies.

• 2.1 Engage with arguments and evidence, not with people; disagree on substance and give reasons.
• 2.2 Respect expertise and lived experience equally, including knowledge that is not written in English or in published papers.
• 2.3 Use inclusive, plain language; assume good faith and ask before assuming intent.
• 2.4 Declare conflicts of interest when they arise and step aside from decisions where one exists.
• 2.5 Respect confidentiality where it applies: personal information, undisclosed vulnerabilities and named appeals.
• 2.6 Follow the competition-law safeguards of the Contribution Terms in every meeting.

• 3.1 Harassment, discrimination, intimidation and personal attacks, in any form and on any ground.
• 3.2 Sexualised language or imagery, and unwelcome attention.
• 3.3 Sustained disruption of meetings, discussions or the work of others.
• 3.4 Publishing another person's private information without permission.
• 3.5 Misrepresenting the status of a standard or another person's position.
• 3.6 Retaliation against anyone who reports a concern or takes part in its handling.

• 4.1 Concerns may be reported to the Secretariat at contact@therisk.global, or directly to the Ethics, Conflicts and Appeals Panel through the same address with the subject line Confidential: ECA, which only the Panel reads.
• 4.2 A report should describe what happened, when and where, the persons involved and any witnesses. Reports are handled confidentially; information is shared only with those who need it to handle the report.
• 4.3 The Panel acknowledges a report within fourteen days. Anyone who is in immediate danger should contact local emergency services first.

The Ethics, Conflicts and Appeals Panel, whose members are independent of the stewards and of the chair of the Global Standards Council, decides on the facts and the measure, which is proportionate to the conduct and may begin at any step. The person concerned is heard before a decision, except where urgent protection is needed. The Panel records a reasoned decision.

• 6.1 A decision may be appealed once to the Panel, with new information, within thirty days of notification.
• 6.2 No one who reports a concern in good faith, or takes part in its handling, may suffer retaliation. Retaliation is itself a breach of this Code.

• 7.1 This Code is adapted from the Contributor Covenant, version 2.1, available at contributor-covenant.org, which is licensed under CC BY 4.0. The enforcement steps follow its community impact guidelines.
• 7.2 The Code may be amended; the amended Code is published on this page with a new effective date.