Research Ethics Committee [REC]

Research Ethics Committees (RECs) evaluate the ethical acceptability of research before participants can be enrolled in a study. RECs are highly regulated, neutral bodies which operate according to standard operating procedures in order to protect the health and safety of human participants of clinical trials, among other things.

To obtain clinical trial approval, a Clinical Trial Application must be submitted to regulatory bodies and a Research Ethics Committee who review the protocol and gives a positive or negative opinion. This is to ascertain that the research is conducted in compliance with European regulations, directives and guidelines defined by the International Conference on Harmonisation. This is an international quality standard that describes the responsibilities and expectations of all participants in the conduct of clinical trials, including investigators, monitors, sponsors and ethics committees.