Code of Ethics

European Code of Ethics for Franchising

Part I – Introduction (I – IV)

I - THE EFF REPRESENTS EUROPEAN FRANCHISING

The European Franchise Federation is an international non-profit Association, constituted in 1972.
Its members are national Franchise Associations or Federations established in Europe.
The European Franchise Federation also accepts Associate members who are non European Franchise Associations or Federations

II - THE AIMS OF THE EFF

1. The promotion of Franchising in Europe
2. Protecting the Franchise Industry by promoting the European Code of Ethics
3. Influencing and encouraging the development of Franchising in Europe
4. Representing the interests of the Franchise industry to international organisations such as the European Commission and the European Parliament.
5. The promotion and representation of the European Franchise industry and its members world-wide.
6. The exchange of information and documentation between national Associations or Federations in Europe and in the world.
7. Serving the Member Associations

III - CONDITIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP

All representative national Associations or Federations established in Europe can apply for membership of the Federation. MEMBERS are subject to the following conditions:

a) members of the national Associations or Federations must be Franchise networks comprising franchisors and their franchisees, their governing body primarily composed of Franchisors elected by accredited Franchisor members. Furthermore, the Chairman of the Association or Federation must be a franchisor and national Board member.
b) acceptance without reservation of the Articles of the FEDERATION and the rules and regulations drawn up in accordance with the Articles.
In particular, member Associations or Federations must require their member Franchisors to accept and comply with the European Code of Ethics on Franchising.
c) each member Association or Federation must operate an accreditation scheme with positive checks to ensure that its voting Franchisor members comply with the European Code of Ethics on Franchising
d) acceptance by the Board of Directors of the FEDERATION
e) payment of the dues fixed by the Board of Directors of the FEDERATION. The Federation will also admit to Associate membership on terms to be agreed by the Board of Directors, national Franchise Associations who, whilst they do not meet the above conditions, commit to and are demonstrably working towards meeting those conditions.

Part II – The Text of the Code (last amended on December 5th, 2003)

IV - EUROPEAN CODE OF ETHICS FOR FRANCHISING

This European Code of Ethics is the up-to-date version of the Code first elaborated in 1972 by the European Franchise Federation (EFF).
Each National Association or Federation member of the EFF has participated in its writing and will ensure its promotions, interpretation and adaptation in its own country.
Proposed adaptations by Member Associations may come as complements to the basic Code, without altering it, and must be approved by the EFF’s governing bodies before being implemented.
This Code of Ethics is meant to be a practical ensemble of essential provisions of fair behaviour for Franchise practitioners in Europe