The ethical framework
for demanding collectors.

Article 1 — Legal Provenance. Every member undertakes to verify the complete provenance of a work before any acquisition, using recognised databases and independent experts.

Article 2 — Due Diligence. A due diligence process proportionate to the value and sensitivity of the work must be conducted and documented.

Article 3 — Transparency. Transaction conditions (price, intermediaries, commissions) are documented in a transparent manner accessible to the Ethics Committee upon request.

Article 4 — Protection of Cultural Heritage. No member shall acquire a work whose acquisition would contribute to the illicit trafficking of cultural property, the looting of archaeological sites, or the spoliation of vulnerable communities.

Article 5 — Conservation Conditions. Every work must be stored and displayed under conditions conforming to international standards (temperature, humidity, light, security).

Article 6 — Certified Professionals. Conservation and restoration interventions are entrusted exclusively to certified professionals recognised by their peers.

Article 7 — Sustainability. Members favour conservation methods with a reduced environmental footprint: sustainable packaging, energy-efficient storage, responsible transport.

Article 8 — Insurance and Protection. Every work is insured at its fair value. An emergency plan (fire, flood, theft) is established and regularly tested.

Article 9 — Comprehensive Record. Each work in the collection is the subject of a comprehensive file: acquisition history, scientific analyses, certificates of authenticity, and condition reports.

Article 10 — Traceability. The provenance history is documented as completely as possible, from creation to the present day.

Article 11 — Digital Security. Archives are maintained in both physical and digital formats, with secure backup and controlled access.

Article 12 — Sharing of Knowledge. Members commit to making their documentation available to researchers and institutions, within a framework defined by the Ethics Committee.

Article 13 — Succession Planning. Every member establishes a succession plan for their collection, updated regularly, specifying the cultural, legal, and financial conditions of transmission.

Article 14 — Education of Heirs. Heirs or successors are informed of the ethical obligations attached to the collection and invited to adhere to the Code.

Article 15 — Cultural Accessibility. Members are encouraged to make their collections partially accessible to the public, through loans, exhibitions, or publications.

Article 16 — Social Legacy. Transmission takes into account the social and cultural impact of the collection on the community, favouring solutions that preserve public interest.