Ethical Review in New Zealand

Role of Ethics Committees

Health and disability ethics committees provide protection for participants in research in the health and disability sector.

Ethics committee review of health and disability research involving humans is primarily designed to:

• prevent studies that pose an unacceptable risk of harm to participants from going ahead
• ensure that all participants in research are aware of what their participation will involve and have given informed consent.

Secondary functions of health and disability ethics committees include:

• fostering an awareness of ethical principles and practices in the health and disability sector and research community
• facilitating excellence in health research and innovative practice for the well-being of society
• collaborating with researchers to ensure the interests, rights, dignity, welfare, health, and well-being of participants and consumers are protected
• giving due consideration to community views
• consistent with section 4 of the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act 2000 and He Korowai Oranga , recognising and respecting the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi
• operating in accordance with the Operational Standard for Health and Disability Ethics Committees
• operating in accordance with any guidance issued or approved by the Minister of Health.

Page last updated: 13 December 2007