FESCC is the Forum of European Societies for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, under the auspices of the IFCC (International Federation for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine), connecting the different societies of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine in Europe, thus creating a platform for all specialists working in the field of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine in Europe.

1. Rationale

   Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine is a discipline with a global impact and the role of IFCC is to promote and improve the scientific, clinical and professional aspects of clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine in the world.

   In Europe (as defined by WHO) specific professional issues exists, based on the recent developments in that region. Solutions have to be found for unique European questions and FESCC will focus on these, being the face of clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine in Europe and deriving its objectives from the goals of IFCC. On the other hand European solutions for problems may have an impact on clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine at a global level.

   FESCC therefore sees for itself the role to create a two-way communication between clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine on a global and regional European level. It is FESCC's intention that it will grow to take over the role of European Task Force of IFCC.

2. Goals and Objectives

   Goals of FESCC are: the improvement of patient care, science and education within the field of clinical chemistry in particular and laboratory medicine in general, as well as to protect the professional interests of clinical chemistry and clinical chemists in Europe in a broad sense, by promoting high scientific level of the profession.

   FESCC operates under the auspices of IFCC and is in that respect one of the regional subgroups of this international federation.
   As the main objectives for FESCC are seen:
   Education; exchange of students and scientists; certification of professionals,
   Promotion of the co-operation between clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine societies in the different European countries;
   Promote the scientific level for example by supporting quality assurance at European level
   Support the accreditation process
   Representation of clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine at the specific aspects of the harmonisation of Europe
   Presenting the outcome of regional European considerations and activities to the IFCC
   Promotion of IFCC activities in Europe,
   Represent clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine in the discussion with other specific laboratory disciplines in medicine.

3. Membership

   Membership is possible for all member-societies of IFCC in Europe; no additional fees are required.
   Non-IFCC societies may obtain a provisional membership for three years under the condition that they apply for IFCC membership in the meantime.

4. General Assembly (Council)

   All member societies delegate 2 persons: their chairman/president or other member of the National Board and a long term delegate (National Representative) to form the general assembly which convenes at least once a three-year term, preferably connected to an international congress.

5. Board

   The executive board consists of 5 persons, and is appointed as follows: 4 officers are elected and the last President remains as Past-President in the board.

   The terms are:

   	term
   President	3 years
   Past-President	3 years
   Secretary	3 years + 1 re-election
   Treasurer	3 years
   Member	3 years + 1 re-election

   The General Assembly could co-optate some additional members (ex-officio, ad-hoc,...) to create or to improve links with other Organisations at the European level. The number of these members will always be limited; the consent of their respective national societies is needed. Representation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine in international bodies remains primarily the responsibility of IFCC, which may delegate that task in certain circumstances to FESCC.

   Nominations of the FESCC Executive Board are made to the FESCC secretary by the National Societies six months before the election assembly convenes. The proposed candidates should declare their written acceptance of the office in case they are elected.

   The FESCC secretary distributes the agenda of the next General Assembly meeting and includes a list of the proposed candidates for the Executive Board per position at latest 1˝ month before that Assembly.

   Election procedure

   The elections take place by simple majority. First the President will be elected, followed by secretary, treasurer and member. In case of a draw a re-election takes place, should this lead to another draw, then the president has a casting vote. Every member-society and provisional member-society of IFCC has one vote.

6. Finances

   The IFCC will be prepared to reinvest in the European region the majority of the income it receives from educational and scientific activities held within the region under its sponsorship. Therefore FESCC makes a yearly plan of activities on which a budget is based. This will be discussed with the Executive Board of IFCC, which then will vote a budged per annum to FESCC.

7. Scientific Advisory Board

   The Scientific Advisory Board is appointed as follows: on request of the secretary of the FESCC Executive Board the National Societies and/or the Regional Groups can nominate candidates. The FESCC Executive Board will select the nominated candidates. The term will be 3 years at maximum. Re-election is possible.

   The Scientific Advisory Board will give its advises to the Executive Board about all scientific affairs on the field of clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine.

8. Regional groups

   Within the framework of FESCC regional groups are active: Alps-Adria Region, Balkan Region, Baltic Region and EC4. Additional regional groups can be form by the Executive Board.

9. Working groups

   Within FESCC different working groups may be active. They are open to all member societies, except for those activities which concern exclusively regional groups.

   All working groups could have one representative from every member-society; from these a Chairman and a Secretary/Treasurer will be elected for 3 years with the possibility to be re-elected for a second term.

   The member societies will establish the term for their representatives in the working groups. For the continuity of some actions, one or two advisors could be asked on a personal basis to participate in a working group, only with the consent of their national societies.

   FESCC will aim as much as possible for complementarily between its working groups and IFCC Divisions

10. European Scientific Communications

    FESCC should promote as much as possible the scientific communication among its member societies by e.g. Newsletters, Journals, etc.

    The official Journal of FESCC is Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, in which space is devoted to FESCC to report about its activities.

11. European Congresses

    FESCC will be the forum in which the election of European congress locations should take place (to be described in bylaws). Ballot for European congresses will follow the IFCC rules in co-operation with the IFCC Congress Committee.

December 2000