European Association of Search and Database Publishing (EASDP)
International Association in Brussels
Internal Regulations
Adopted by the General Assembly on May 11, 2012 in Brussels.
Art. 1: General Provisions
The Internal Regulations contain provisions which complement and illustrate the Statutes of the Association. Amendments to the provisions of these Internal Regulations or its abolition may be made only on the decision of the General Assembly with a majority of 2/3 of the Full Members, present or represented.
Art. 2: Definition of search, database and directory publishing
It consists of creating content and/or collecting data, arranging systematically and maintaining content and/or data so that a search along a logical path yields the information being sought.
It gathers, for instance, directories, databases, guides, search engines, social networks, directory assistance, classified media in printed electronic or any appropriate form and services such as local search, group buying and deals, lead generation, reservation, location based and marketing.
Art. 3: Associate Members
By reference to Article 4.1 of the Statutes, the Association can accept as associate Members individual persons or legal entities such as companies of the search and database publishing industries incorporated outside Europe, associations of directory/search services/database publishers incorporated outside Europe, industry partners, i.e. suppliers of products and services intended for the search and database publishing industries or other individual persons or legal entities whose membership of the Association is considered relevant by the Board of Directors.
Art. 4: Rights
Full members have the rights
- To use the association logo
- To receive news and newsletters
- To take part in the congresses, conferences, forums or any event organised by the association for a privileged fee.
- To be included in the list of members of the association
Associate members have the right
- To use the special “Associate member” logo
- To receive news and newsletters
- To take part in the congresses, conferences, forums or any event organised by the association for a privileged fee.
- To be included in the list of members of the association in the separate section “Associate members”
Art. 5: Code of Professional Practice
In the pursuance of their activities the Full Members of the EASDP must follow the rules set out in the Code of Professional Practice of the EASDP. Alterations to the Code of Professional Practice require a majority of 2/3 of the Full Members, present or represented in a duly constituted General Assembly.
Art. 6: Application for membership
By reference to Article 4.3 of the Statutes the application for membership must fulfil certain requirements according to the type of member:
Full members, database and directory publishers, providers of search services, as described in Art.2 :
Applications for membership must be made by
- duly completing the EASDP application form
- undertaking to respect the EASDP code of professional practice
- recognising the Statutes and the Internal Regulations currently in force
- sending evidence that the company has been in the search/database publishing business for at least one year and that their business practices are ethical and fair.
- submitting copies of the printed directories (if any) or giving full access to the online directory/database/search service with a description of its content and classification.
Full national association members:
Applications for membership must be made by
- duly completing the EASDP application form
- recognising the Statutes and the Internal Regulations currently in force
- supplying an extract of the official minutes of the body which decided to apply for EASDP membership
- supplying a copy of the association’s Statutes
- supplying a copy of the association’s Code of Professional Practice
- sending evidence that the association has been in activity for at least one year.
- supplying a list of the association`s members and a list of the search services offered or directories / databases published by them.
Associate Members:
Applications for membership must be made by
- duly completing the EASDP application form
- recognising the Statutes and the Internal Regulations currently in force
- providing relevant information in support of their application
Lists of applicants for membership are released by the Board of Directors to all primary contacts in each Full Member company, asking them for any comments. The Board of Directors will decide on the application at its next regular meeting. If comments from Members cast doubt on the suitability of a candidate, the Board of Directors reserves the right to submit the application to the General Assembly. The list of applications approved by the Board of Directors in the course of the preceding twelve months is presented to the General Assembly.
To be taken into consideration, such comments are to be sent in writing and/or via electronic submission to the registered office of the association within three weeks
Art. 7: Board Members
By reference to article 6.1 of the Statutes apart from the President, the 2 Vice-Presidents, the Advisory President and the Treasurer, 5 other Board members make up the Board of Directors
The members of the Board of Directors are elected in their personal capacity. Directors are not personally liable as to the obligations of the association, but they are liable for the execution of their mandate and mistakes committed in their management, in compliance with the law. They are jointly liable either vis-à-vis the Association or vis-à-vis third parties for damages resulting from breaches of the law or the statutes.
Members of the Board have to communicate to the General Secretary their official home address together with a copy of their passport or ID.
The Board of Directors should be representative of the universality of the Full Members.
Only one manager, director, member of the Board or supervisory Board or owner of a Full Member company or organisation may be elected to serve concurrently as a member of the Board of Directors. If the company of one board member is acquired by or merges with the company of another board member, the mandate of one of them will be terminated at the next General Assembly
The mission of the Vice Presidents is to assist the President and to replace him/her if serious reasons prevent him/her from carrying out his/her task.
The mission of the treasurer is to present the accounts and the budget to the General Assembly and to be involved in the management of the association’s finances.
Art. 8: Working groups
The Board of Directors may create or dissolve working groups to support certain aspects of its work, to prepare special events or new activities, to study issues concerning the industry, to follow up relevant public affairs matters or to develop other activities of interest to the EASDP and its Members.
These working groups shall be composed of Full Members of the Association invited by the Board of Directors. Interested Full Members may propose to join any existing working group. The meetings of the working groups are convened regularly by the General Secretary in consultation with the Chairman who is appointed by the Board of Directors. The Chairman must report to the Board of Directors on the activities undertaken.