Conflict of Interest Policy

In their capacity as directors or chairpersons of committees or working groups, the individual
leaders of the International Society of Amyloidosis (ISA) must always act in the best interests of
the Society and in a manner that preserves the independence and credibility of actions taken
on behalf of the Society. The purpose of this policy is to help to ensure that ISA programs and
initiatives are free of bias arising from conflicts of interest.

What Is a Conflict of Interest?

A conflict of interest may arise in any circumstance that may compromise the ability of a
director or chairpersons of committees or working groups to make unbiased and impartial
decisions on behalf of ISA. Such circumstances may involve family relationships, business
transactions, professional activities, or personal affiliations. Financial relationships (such as
employment, research or educational grants, consultancies, ownership of stock shares,
honoraria, paid expert testimony, patents) are the most easily identifiable conflicts of interest
and the most likely to undermine the credibility of actions taken on behalf of ISA.
The Board of Directors of ISA requires all directors and committee and working group
chairpersons to complete and submit an annual Statement of Disclosure detailing any facts or
circumstances that might constitute a conflict of interest. The Board of Directors further
requires directors and committee and working group chairpersons to submit an amended
Statement of Disclosure to reflect any material changes or additions to the submitted
information that may arise during the year. Directors, and chairpersons are encouraged to err
on the side of disclosure and to report any set of circumstances that may appear to pose a
conflict of interest, even if there is uncertainty as to whether such circumstances should be
disclosed.

How Are Conflicts of Interest Identified?

The Board of ISA, with assistance from staff, will review each Statement of Disclosure for any
set of facts or circumstances that may reflect an actual, potential, or apparent conflict of
interest. They may request the assistance of legal counsel to identify potential conflicts. When
evaluating a particular set of facts or circumstances, the Board shall consider the following nonexhaustive list of factors that may indicate a conflict of interest:

• Solicitation or acceptance of gifts or other items of value that may create an appearance
or expectation of special treatment in ISA matters

• Any incident of abuse or misuse of a leadership position for personal or third-party gain
or benefit;

• Situations in which a director or a committee and working group chairperson may be
divided between personal interests or the interests of another organization and the best
interests of ISA;

• Business, professional, or other activities that would materially and adversely affect ISA,
either directly or indirectly; and,

• Any arrangement in which a director or chairperson (or family member of a director or
chairperson) provides goods or services to ISA as a paid vendor.

The Board may request additional information from any director or chairperson at any time;
however, no individual whose relationships or activities are under review may participate in
deliberations, debate, or any vote of the Board while such review is pending.

How are Conflicts of Interest Resolved?

If the Board of Directors of ISA identifies an actual, potential, or apparent conflict of interest, it
may take one of the following actions to resolve such conflict:

• Waive the conflict of interest as unlikely to affect the director’s or chairperson’s ability
to act in the best interests of the organization;

• Determine that the individual director or chairperson should be recused from all
deliberation and decision-making related to the particular transaction or relationship
that gives rise to the conflict of interest. This course of action should apply particularly
when the transaction or relationship is one which presents a conflict only with respect
to one or two discrete programs or activities;

• Determine that the individual director or chairperson must resign from his or her service
to ISA. This course of action should apply when the conflict of interest is so pervasive
that the director or chairperson would likely seldom, if ever, be able to act solely in the
best interests of the organization.

The Board of Directors of ISA reserves final authority over the resolution of all conflicts of
interest involving a director or chairperson of ISA.

May Directors and Officers Do Business with ISA?

A conflict of interest exists any time a director or chairperson seeks to enter into a business
relationship with ISA. Similar conflicts may arise through family members or through
organizations in which directors or chairpersons serve in a leadership, employment, or
ownership capacity. Such conflicts do not, however, necessarily preclude business relationships
with ISA. The following procedure is designed to resolve conflicts of interest whenever a
director, chairperson or a related party seeks to provide goods or services to ISA as a paid
vendor, or applies to receive a significant grant or contract from the Society:

• The director or chairperson must promptly disclose the intent to enter into a business
relationship with ISA to the Board of Directors.

• The director or chairperson must recuse himself or herself from all deliberation, debate,
and voting related to the contemplated business relationship.

• If the value of the transaction exceeds $5,000, ISA must solicit proposals or applications
from a broad range of other qualified candidates for the agreement, contract, or grant
under consideration.

• The Board of Directors must determine, without the presence or participation of the
director or chairperson under review, that the transaction is fair and in the best interest
of ISA.

• If the Board of Directors approves the business relationship under consideration, the
director or chairperson may not participate in any process by which his or her
performance as a vendor, grantee, or recipient is evaluated , or in any such evaluation of
a related party.

Approved by ISA’s Board of Directors on April 21, 2022