ICOM Formally Adopts New Code Of Ethics For Museums
5July 14, 2026
Following avoteon June 25, theInternational Council of Museums(ICOM) adopted a newCode of Ethicsto guide the activities of museums globally. The vote, which passed by a margin of 85.9% in favor, was held at ICOM’s 41st Ordinary General Assembly in Paris.
ICOM is a non-governmental body that establishes standards of operation for museums all over the world. The new code represents the first revision of ICOM’s code of ethics since 2004. It addresses a changing museum landscape that has to confront issues related to artificial intelligence, the climate crisis, and the legacy of colonialism.
The new code is the result of a multi-year process overseen by the ICOM Ethics Committee (ETHCOM) involving the participation of 114 ICOM National and International Committees, Regional Alliances, and Affiliated Organisations. The organization said in a press statement that the code “guides museums and museum professionals in protecting and promoting cultural heritage, fostering and strengthening public trust, and serving society.” Related Furor Erupts Over Design Choice for New National Museum of Ecuador Artists Accuse Cape Town–Based SMAC Gallery Of Withholding Artworks And Payments
Following the revision of ICOM’s definition of a museum, which faced controversy for not including terms such as decolonization, restitution, and repatriation, the new code condenses the eight principles of the 2004 code into five. They include guidelines on museums’ relationship to society (“Museums serve society”), professionalism (“Museums operate and communicate with competence, knowledge and professional standards”), education (“Museums offer diverse experiences for the sharing of knowledge and reflection”), collections (“Museums research, collect and conserve”), and governance (“Museums are not-for-profit, permanent institutions”). The new code also advocates for speedy restitution in accordance with applicable laws, and disclosures of potential conflicts of interest.
Notably, the removal of a 2004 principle stating that “museums operate in a legal manner” was described as a “significant change” in the new code by an ICOM spokesperson to The Art Newspaper. The spokesperson added that “although the new code is framed as an ethics-based document, the law remains its foundation, and generous interpretations of legal principles are, in effect, ethical actions.” ICOM is also developing additional practical guidance to help museums apply the code to diverse legal, cultural, and professional contexts.