Statutes of The European Federation of Addiction Societies

(Status version 3. Approved October 24th 2024)

1.Name and Purpose

1.1. The name of the federation is “European Federation of Addiction Societies” (hereinafter referred to as “Federation” or EUFAS). It is an association of professional national European societies engaged in addiction prevention, care, research, and policy strategies. The Federation is based in Salzburg, Austria.

1.2. The Federation operates at the international European level. Its purpose is to promote education and achieve the highest level of knowledge and understanding in the field of addiction across all European countries, provided these activities are exclusively charitable. Addiction disorders include all disorders related to the use of psychoactive substances as well as non-substance-related disorders (e.g., gambling and gaming). EUFAS also aims to promote collaborative initiatives between European countries.

1.3. To achieve its main purpose, and without limiting the generality of the above, the Federation intends to:

  • 1.3.1. Promote and support interdisciplinary scientific research, investigations, and demonstrations in the field of addiction and related disorders.

  • 1.3.2. Improve the quality of education in professions dealing with these disorders.

  • 1.3.3. Provide information to interested institutions, collaborate with them through its committees, and offer advice.

  • 1.3.4. Establish and maintain strategic partnerships with the European Commission, other international and national scientific societies, government organizations, professional associations, and other groups, societies, institutions, and individuals contributing to progress in the field of addiction and related disorders.

2.Means

To achieve its purpose, the Federation uses the following means:

  • 2.1. Organizing or co-organizing one addiction conference per year in a member country.

  • 2.2. Appointing special committees, groups, or individuals to investigate issues related to the Federation’s goals.

  • 2.3. Promoting and enabling appropriate methods of study, actions, meetings, and exchange of ideas regarding progress in addiction and related disorders.

  • 2.4. Disseminating information through journals, books, and electronic media.

  • 2.5. Designating an official peer-reviewed journal as the Federation’s communication organ via a formal cooperation agreement.

  • 2.6. Publicizing its activities and those of conferences and national/regional meetings and committees through all suitable means, especially official publications.

  • 2.7. Collaborating with other institutions committed to improving health in the area of addiction and related disorders.

  • 2.8. Supporting the awarding of a European Addiction Research Award by EUFAS in cooperation with the communication organ (2.5).

  • 2.9. To achieve these goals, EUFAS uses the following material resources:

    • Membership fees

    • Funding from (research) projects (e.g., national, EU-funded)

    • Other financial contributions from third parties aligned with the statutes

3.Membership

3.1. The Federation is an association of professional national or European societies (or addiction sections of professional societies) active in addiction research. Non-founding member societies are admitted by majority vote of the Executive Committee.

3.2. Umbrella organizations that are not exclusively European or whose field is not directly related to addiction may be admitted as associate or partner organizations, but not as full members.

3.3. Individuals from countries without a national addiction society may be represented by a neighboring member society.

3.4. Membership applications must be submitted in writing to the President and include a list of current board members and, if applicable, a copy of the statutes.

3.5. Member organizations may propose topics and initiatives, have voting rights in the General Assembly, and receive information via email and website. They must inform EUFAS of significant changes, such as changes in president or contact person.

3.6. A member society may resign at any time by submitting a signed letter from its president. The Executive Committee may terminate membership if requirements are no longer met, if actions contradict EUFAS goals, or if statutes are violated. The General Assembly makes the final decision with a two-thirds majority; the affected member has the right to comment and appeal.

4.Organisation

4.1. The Federation’s bodies are:

  • a. General Assembly (GA)

  • b. Executive Committee (EC)

  • c. Auditors (internal auditors)

4.2.1. The General Assembly consists of delegates from member societies and the current Executive Committee. The Federation’s President chairs the General Assembly.

4.2.2. If a member society is not represented, it may be represented by another society. Both must inform the entire Executive Committee by email at least one week before the meeting.

4.2.3. The regular General Assembly takes place annually during the national congress of a rotating member society.

4.2.4. The invitation is issued by the President at least 20 days in advance, including the agenda.

4.2.5. Extraordinary meetings may be convened as needed or must be convened upon request by at least 10% of members.

4.2.6. A quorum is present when 20% of member societies attend.

4.2.7. Each member society has one vote. Voting is in person unless otherwise decided by the Executive Committee.

4.2.8. If the quorum is not met, an extraordinary General Assembly with the same agenda is convened. No quorum is required for this meeting.

4.2.9. The General Assembly elects the President, First and Second Vice Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer, and up to four additional members without portfolio. Details are in Section 8.

4.2.10. The General Assembly approves the annual financial statements.

4.2.11. The General Assembly sets membership fees according to Article 12.

4.2.12. Resolutions and elections require an absolute majority of votes cast unless otherwise specified. Amendments to statutes, mergers, or dissolutions require a two-thirds majority. In case of a tie, the chair decides.

4.2.13. Two auditors are elected by the General Assembly for a term of two years. Re-election is possible. Dismissal during the term is possible if there are justified doubts about proper conduct (see 4.4).

4.3 Executive Committee

4.3.1. The Executive Committee (EC) is the governing body. It consists of the President, Immediate Past President, two Vice Presidents, Secretary General, Treasurer, up to four additional members without portfolio, and the Editor-in-Chief of the official EUFAS journal (without portfolio).

4.3.2. Former Presidents (except the Immediate Past President) are permanent guests without voting rights.

4.3.3. The EC may meet at any time and place. It may adopt rules of procedure, provided they do not conflict with the statutes and are ratified by the General Assembly.

4.3.4. The EC may conduct day-to-day business on behalf of the Federation, provided it aligns with the General Assembly’s directives.

4.3.5. A quorum is present when the President and at least three other members are present.

4.3.6. Each member has one vote. Decisions are made by absolute majority of those present.

4.3.7. The President manages day-to-day business, supported by the Secretary General, and represents the Federation externally. Documents require the President’s signature; financial matters also require the Treasurer’s signature. Alternatively, another EC member with portfolio may sign with approval from another EC member. Legal transactions between the board and the Federation require another EC member. The President chairs both the GA and EC.

4.4. Auditors (Internal Auditors)

4.4.1. Two auditors are elected by the General Assembly for two years. Re-election is possible. They may not be members of any other body except the GA.

4.4.2. They audit financial management according to the statutes. The EC must provide all documents.

4.4.3. Legal transactions with the Federation require GA approval.

4.4.5. After the audit, a written report is submitted to the EC and presented to the GA.

5.Terms of Office

5.1. The term of office for members of the Executive Committee is two years. The President and First Vice President may be re-elected once; other members may be re-elected multiple times. Past Presidents are Honorary Presidents without a term limit and may attend Executive Committee meetings without voting rights. In case of prolonged absence or death of the President, the First Vice President assumes their duties and powers until the end of the term.

5.2. The term of office is two years. The President and First Vice President may be re-elected once; other members may be re-elected multiple times.

5.3. Each society must designate an official representative by email at least two weeks before the General Assembly. Without designation, participation in voting is not permitted.

5.4. The Secretary General sends the General Assembly program at least four weeks in advance and reminds members of the designation requirement.

6.Fiscal Period

The fiscal and term period is two years; it defines the duration for all Executive Committee positions and special commissions.

7.Special Commissions

The Executive Committee or General Assembly may appoint special commissions (“Task Forces”) for specific tasks and assign members and chairs. Chairs report directly to the Executive Committee; all members are part of the General Assembly.

8. Nomination Committee

8.1. At least one year before the end of the Executive Committee’s term, three delegates are elected as the Election Committee (Chair: Immediate Past President).

8.2. The Election Committee requests candidate proposals from member societies.

8.3. The Executive Committee decides the number of candidates per position. Candidates are proposed to the General Assembly for election based on their willingness and Executive Committee review. The Secretary General conducts the vote count.

8.4. Self-nomination by Election Committee members is excluded.

8.5. The election officer is one of the Past Presidents. If unavailable, the Executive Committee appoints another Past President.

8.6. If there are more candidates than positions, voting is conducted in person.

9. Award Committee

Every two years, EUFAS awards a prize in collaboration with its official journal to a European researcher focused on human addiction research. The committee consists of two members of the Executive Committee (term: two years) and the journal’s Editor-in-Chief, chaired by the Past President.

10. Special Committees

Special committees may be appointed by the President and the Executive Committee. Chairs and members are linked to the Executive Committee and are part of the General Assembly.

11. Languages

The official language of the Federation shall be English.

12. Finances

112.1. The Federation is financed by contributions from third parties.

12.2. Only the Federation’s assets are liable for obligations. Personal liability of members is excluded.

12.3. Each member society pays an annual fee, the amount of which is determined by the General Assembly. The fee must be paid in advance by March 31. The General Assembly may temporarily suspend fees upon proposal by the Executive Committee.

12.4. The Executive Committee decides on all financial matters, including the location of the treasury and the granting of subsidies and loans.

12.5. No part of the assets may be paid directly or indirectly to members or officials, except for services rendered or expenses incurred in the interest of the Federation.

12.6. The Treasurer keeps proper books and records.

13. Dissolution of Federation

13.1. The Federation may be dissolved or merged with a similar organization by a two-thirds majority of the General Assembly upon proposal by the Executive Committee.

13.2. In the event of dissolution, assets may not be distributed among members but must be transferred to an international charitable organization with similar goals.

13.3. If the original purpose ceases to exist, assets may only be used for charitable purposes.

13.4. Members have no claim to the Federation’s assets.

14. Arbitration Tribunal

14.1 To resolve disputes arising from the association relationship, an internal arbitration tribunal is appointed. It is a “conciliation body” under the Associations Act 2002 and not an arbitration tribunal under §§ 577 ff ZPO.

14.2 The tribunal consists of three ordinary Federation members. It is formed as follows: one party nominates a member as arbitrator in writing to the Executive Committee. Upon request by the Executive Committee within seven days, the other party nominates a member within 14 days. After notification by the Executive Committee within seven days, the nominated arbitrators elect a third ordinary member as chairperson within 14 days. In case of a tie, the decision is made by drawing lots.

14.3 Members of the arbitration tribunal may not belong to any body – except  the General Assembly – whose activities are the subject of the dispute.

14.4 The tribunal makes its decision after hearing both sides, with all members present, by simple majority. It decides to the best of its knowledge and belief. Its decisions are final within the Federation.

15. Final Provisions

  • The original statutes were adopted at the founding meeting in Paris on September 15, 2010. The last amendment was made at the General Assembly in Lisbon on October 24, 2024.

  • This version is the revision dated November 3rd, 2025 and will be in action from that date (due to Presidential decision), but will also be submitted for vote at the General Assembly on September 22, 2026.

  • It will be posted on website together with German official translation (the German version is the version that is approved by the Austrian authorities) and with the official approval of the statutes