The Netherlands Journal of Critical Care (Neth. J. Crit. Care) is committed to protecting the rights, dignity, safety, privacy, and welfare of human research participants and animals involved in research. The journal follows relevant ethical principles and guidance from the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) and the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

Human Research

Research involving human participants must be conducted in accordance with recognized ethical principles, applicable laws, and institutional requirements. Where applicable, research should follow the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and receive appropriate approval from an independent ethics committee, Institutional Review Board (IRB), or equivalent body before the research begins.

Authors must clearly state in the manuscript:

• The name of the ethics committee or IRB that approved the study.
• The approval or reference number, where applicable.
• Any relevant ethical considerations associated with the research.
• Whether informed consent was obtained from participants or appropriately waived by the relevant authority.

The journal may request documentary evidence of ethical approval at any stage of the editorial process. Ethical approval does not prevent the editors from independently assessing whether the reported research appears to have been conducted ethically.

Informed Consent and Privacy

Authors must obtain informed consent from participants where required. Identifying information, photographs, clinical details, or other potentially identifiable information should not be published unless it is scientifically necessary and appropriate consent for publication has been obtained.

Authors must take reasonable measures to protect participant confidentiality and privacy.

Vulnerable Participants

Research involving children, individuals with impaired decision-making capacity, prisoners, or other vulnerable populations must include appropriate additional safeguards. Authors should demonstrate that participation was ethically justified and that the rights and welfare of vulnerable participants were adequately protected.

Animal Research

Research involving animals must comply with applicable institutional, national, and international standards for the ethical treatment and welfare of animals.

Authors should provide appropriate information regarding:

• Ethical approval or institutional authorization.
• Animal species and numbers used.
• Housing and care conditions where relevant.
• Measures taken to minimize pain, distress, and suffering.
• Anesthesia, analgesia, and euthanasia procedures where applicable.
• Compliance with relevant animal-welfare standards.

The journal may request evidence of ethical approval or authorization for animal research.

Humane Treatment of Animals

Authors must use scientifically justified methods that minimize unnecessary pain, distress, injury, or suffering. The use of animals must be scientifically necessary and appropriately justified.

Research involving animals should follow accepted principles of humane care and use, as applicable to the relevant jurisdiction and study design.

Editorial Review of Ethical Compliance

The editorial team may evaluate the ethical aspects of submitted research independently of the scientific merit of the manuscript.

The Netherlands Journal of Critical Care reserves the right to request additional information, documentation, clarification, or evidence of ethical approval where concerns arise.

Right to Reject

The journal reserves the right to reject a manuscript or withdraw an article from publication if there are reasonable grounds to believe that human participants or animals were treated in an unethical manner, required ethical approval was not obtained, informed consent requirements were not met, or applicable ethical standards were violated.

Where appropriate, serious ethical concerns identified after publication may result in a correction, expression of concern, or retraction.

Ethical Investigations

If concerns regarding human or animal rights arise, the journal may seek clarification from the authors and, where necessary, contact the relevant institution, ethics committee, research organization, or other appropriate authority.

The journal will handle such concerns confidentially and in accordance with applicable publication-ethics principles and COPE guidance.

Author Responsibility

Authors are responsible for ensuring that their research complies with all applicable ethical requirements before submission. By submitting a manuscript, authors confirm that appropriate measures were taken to protect human participants and animals and that all ethical information provided to the journal is accurate.

The Netherlands Journal of Critical Care considers the protection of human rights, participant welfare, animal welfare, and research integrity fundamental requirements for responsible medical publishing.