Conseil Européen pour les Professionnels et les Thérapies Intégratives – CEPTI
European Council for Integrative Professionals and Therapies – CEPTI

Effective date: 1 August 2025
Last updated: 23 September 2026
Version: 1.4
Website: https://cepti.eu and https://cepti.ro

This Dispute and Litigation Resolution Policy establishes the framework through which Conseil Européen pour les Professionnels et les Thérapies Intégratives – CEPTI, a Belgian non-profit association (ASBL), seeks to prevent, manage and resolve disputes in a fair, proportionate and efficient manner.

The Policy covers both:

a. intra-organisational disputes, including disputes between members, accredited individuals or organisations, members of the Board of Directors, Executive Council, committees, assessors, collaborators and other persons holding functions within CEPTI;

and:

b. external disputes, including disputes between CEPTI and other individuals, organisations, institutions, partners, suppliers, contractors, beneficiaries, professionals or other entities.

Whenever circumstances permit, CEPTI seeks to resolve disputes through dialogue, clarification, negotiation and mediation before resorting to judicial proceedings.

This preference for amicable resolution does not restrict the right of CEPTI or any other person to use the legal remedies available to them.

Conseil Européen pour les Professionnels et les Thérapies Intégratives – CEPTI
European Council for Integrative Professionals and Therapies – CEPTI
Consiliul European pentru Profesionistii si Terapiile Integrative – CEPTI

Legal form: ASBL
Registration number: 1025842504
Registered office: Square de Meeûs 35, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
Website: https://cepti.eu and https://cepti.ro
Email: contact@cepti.eu
Telephone: +32 465 75 84 84

Any procedure conducted under this Policy seeks to respect the following principles:

• legality;
• impartiality;
• good faith;
• proportionality;
• the right to be heard;
• the right to know the allegations or claims made;
• a reasonable opportunity to provide explanations and evidence;
• proper management of conflicts of interest;
• confidentiality, within the limits permitted by law;
• protection of personal data;
• resolution within a reasonable period;
• protection against retaliation;
• compliance with the Statutes, regulations, Code of Conduct and validly adopted CEPTI decisions.

Where possible, dispute resolution should seek not only to determine responsibility, but also to restore a functional professional relationship and prevent recurrence of the situation.

This Policy must be interpreted together with:

• applicable Belgian and European legislation;
• the CEPTI Statutes;
• CEPTI regulations and policies;
• the Code of Conduct and applicable ethical rules;
• accreditation regulations;
• contracts and agreements entered into by CEPTI;
• decisions validly adopted by the competent CEPTI bodies.

This Policy may not modify or transfer any competence that the law or the Statutes expressly reserve to the General Assembly, the Board of Directors or another competent body.

In the event of a conflict, mandatory provisions of law prevail.

In contractual relationships with third parties, specific dispute resolution clauses contained in a validly concluded contract prevail over this Policy to the extent that they are legally applicable.

This Policy may be used for disputes concerning:

• relationships between members;
• the conduct of a member within CEPTI activities;
• relationships between members and CEPTI structures;
• the exercise of functions within the Board of Directors or Executive Council;
• the activities of committees and assessors;
• individual or institutional accreditations;
• suspension, withdrawal or non-renewal of an accreditation;
• use of the CEPTI name, logo, status or accreditation;
• interpretation of internal regulations;
• application of the Code of Conduct;
• conflicts of interest;
• use of CEPTI resources;
• communications or conduct carried out in the name of CEPTI;
• administrative decisions;
• other situations directly affecting the activities, integrity or proper functioning of CEPTI.

A professional, academic, methodological or doctrinal disagreement does not, in itself, constitute misconduct or a disciplinary dispute.

It may fall within the scope of this Policy only where it involves, for example, breach of obligations, abusive conduct, false statements, unauthorised use of CEPTI status, breach of the Code of Conduct or other conduct relevant to the organisation.

For the purposes of this Policy, a distinction must be made between:

statutory members of CEPTI, whose rights and obligations are determined by law and the Statutes;

and

individuals or organisations accredited by CEPTI, who benefit from rights associated with accreditation but who do not, solely by virtue of accreditation, acquire statutory voting rights, eligibility rights or rights to participate in the governance of CEPTI.

Accreditation procedures cannot confer rights reserved to statutory members.

This Policy does not replace special procedures established by law or by other CEPTI policies.

In particular:

• data protection matters are also governed by the CEPTI Privacy and Data Protection Policy;
• information security incidents may require separate technical or legal procedures;
• suspected criminal offences may be reported to the competent authorities;
• situations involving the protection of persons, safety or immediate risk may require urgent measures;
• employment disputes, where applicable, are handled in accordance with labour law;
• intellectual property matters may require immediate legal intervention;
• reports falling under mandatory whistleblower rules are handled in accordance with applicable legislation.

Nothing in this Policy requires any person to waive the right to contact a public authority, the police, a court, a regulatory authority or a data protection authority.

Where the nature of the situation permits, the persons involved are encouraged first to attempt direct and informal resolution of the matter.

This may include:

• clarification of facts;
• correction of a misunderstanding;
• rectification of information;
• withdrawal or correction of a communication;
• establishment of practical measures;
• negotiation of a solution;
• intervention by a neutral CEPTI representative.

Informal resolution is not mandatory where there are serious allegations, a risk of retaliation, a major conflict of interest, a risk to persons or the organisation, a possible breach of law, or a need for urgent measures.

A person wishing to initiate a formal procedure must submit a notification to:

contact@cepti.eu

Recommended subject line:

Dispute Notice / Internal Dispute

The notification should contain, where possible:

• the identity of the person submitting the complaint;
• the person, body or entity concerned;
• a clear description of the facts;
• relevant dates;
• available documents or evidence;
• the rules or obligations alleged to have been breached;
• previous steps taken;
• the remedy requested.

The absence of a formal element does not automatically result in rejection where the nature of the matter can reasonably be identified.

CEPTI seeks to acknowledge receipt of a formal complaint, normally within 7 working days.

The preliminary assessment examines:

• whether the matter falls within CEPTI’s scope;
• whether another mandatory procedure applies;
• whether a conflict of interest exists;
• whether immediate protection of persons, data, documents or assets is required;
• whether rapid resolution is possible;
• which person or body is competent to examine the matter.

CEPTI may request additional information.

In justified circumstances, CEPTI may adopt temporary measures before the final resolution of the dispute.

These may include, within the limits of legal and statutory competence:

• temporary restriction of access to certain systems or documents;
• suspension of participation in a particular activity;
• temporary restriction on the use of the CEPTI name or resources;
• temporary suspension of an operational function, where applicable rules permit;
• measures to protect documents and evidence;
• temporary separation of persons involved in a decision-making process;
• other measures necessary to prevent immediate harm.

Interim measures do not, in themselves, constitute a finding of wrongdoing.

They must be proportionate, temporary and reviewed where circumstances change.

No person may investigate, assess or decide a dispute in which they are directly involved or where there are reasonable grounds to question their impartiality.

For the purposes of this Policy, a conflict may be:

• financial;
• professional;
• personal;
• familial;
• institutional;
• contractual;
• arising from a previous adversarial relationship;
• any other interest reasonably capable of affecting the independence of the assessment.

For members of the Board of Directors, the mandatory procedure provided under Belgian law for conflicts of a patrimonial nature also applies.

A person in a conflict situation must disclose it and abstain from the relevant process to the extent required by law and by this Policy.

Where formal examination is required, CEPTI may establish an Ad Hoc Dispute Resolution Panel.

The Panel does not constitute a new statutory body and may not exercise powers that the law or the Statutes reserve to a CEPTI body.

The Panel will normally consist of three impartial persons.

None of them should have directly participated in the facts or decision under challenge.

Depending on the nature of the case, the Panel may include:

• uninvolved CEPTI members;
• persons with experience in ethics or governance;
• independent experts;
• legal specialists;
• professionals relevant to the subject matter of the dispute.

Where the Panel does not have authority to make the final decision, it submits a reasoned recommendation to the competent CEPTI body.

Persons involved should, within reasonable limits, have:

• information regarding the matter being examined;
• an opportunity to respond;
• an opportunity to submit documents and explanations;
• an opportunity to identify witnesses or other relevant sources;
• an opportunity to be heard;
• impartial consideration of the information;
• a reasoned decision or recommendation.

CEPTI may restrict access to certain information where disclosure would breach the law, the rights of others, data protection requirements, professional secrecy, legitimate confidentiality or organisational security.

A party may be assisted by an adviser, lawyer or other support person, subject to confidentiality and the proper conduct of the procedure.

CEPTI may consider any relevant information lawfully obtained, including:

• documents;
• emails;
• messages;
• registers;
• minutes;
• contracts;
• statements;
• reports;
• professional records;
• other relevant materials.

Findings must be based on information that is sufficient, credible and relevant.

The fact that a complaint cannot be substantiated does not, in itself, mean that the complaint was made in bad faith.

The Panel or competent body may organise an in-person or online hearing.

The purpose of the hearing is to clarify the facts and provide a genuine opportunity to be heard.

CEPTI may prepare minutes or, after informing participants and in compliance with applicable law, make official recordings.

Intimidating, aggressive or disruptive behaviour is not permitted.

CEPTI seeks to resolve internal procedures within a reasonable period.

As an administrative objective, a decision or recommendation should normally be issued within approximately 45 days from the point at which the file is sufficiently complete for examination.

Complex cases may require additional time.

The parties will be informed where there is a significant delay.

Exceeding an indicative administrative timeframe does not automatically invalidate the procedure or decision.

Depending on the nature of the dispute and the competence of the deciding body, measures may include:

• a finding that no action is required;
• clarification of a rule;
• recommendations;
• correction of a record;
• rectification of a communication;
• warning;
• request to cease particular conduct;
• educational or training measures;
• measures to prevent recurrence;
• mediation;
• restriction of delegated responsibilities;
• referral to a competent committee;
• suspension or withdrawal of accreditation, where accreditation rules permit;
• recommendation of a measure to the Board of Directors;
• recommendation of a measure to the General Assembly;
• referral to a competent authority;
• initiation of legal proceedings.

Any measure must be lawful, proportionate and adopted by the competent body.

The exclusion of a statutory member of CEPTI cannot be decided by an Ad Hoc Panel, committee, Executive Council or individual person.

Such a measure may only be decided by the General Assembly, in accordance with Belgian law and the CEPTI Statutes.

The proposed exclusion must be included in the notice convening the General Assembly.

The member concerned must be given an opportunity to be heard.

The applicable quorum, majority and other conditions are those provided by Belgian law and the Statutes.

The Panel or Board of Directors may examine the matter and make a recommendation, but may not replace the decision of the General Assembly.

This Policy cannot modify the statutory and legal rules governing the appointment or removal of directors.

Where a dispute may lead to a proposal to remove a director, the body competent to decide is determined by Belgian law and the CEPTI Statutes.

An internal procedure may establish the facts and issue a recommendation, but may not transfer a legal competence reserved to the General Assembly.

An individual or organisation may request review of a decision concerning:

• granting of accreditation;
• renewal;
• non-renewal;
• suspension;
• restriction;
• withdrawal of accreditation.

The review seeks in particular to verify:

• compliance with the applicable procedure;
• the existence of a conflict of interest;
• consideration of relevant documents;
• the existence of a material error;
• the existence of relevant information that could not previously have been submitted.

CEPTI accreditations are subject to the applicable professional, administrative and ethical criteria.

Review does not confer statutory membership rights on an accredited person.

Persons who directly participated in the challenged decision should not, where reasonably possible, have sole control over the review of that decision.

A person directly affected by an internal decision may request review where the nature of the decision permits.

The request should normally be submitted within 20 working days of notification of the decision.

Grounds may include:

• significant procedural error;
• conflict of interest;
• relevant new information that could not previously have been submitted;
• material error;
• an obvious inconsistency between the established facts and the measure adopted.

A request for review does not automatically suspend the decision.

The competent body may order temporary suspension where justified.

A decision of the General Assembly is not subject to an internal appeal unless otherwise provided by the Statutes or applicable law.

The right to use judicial remedies provided by law remains unaffected.

CEPTI protects the right of persons to submit complaints in good faith.

A complaint will not be considered abusive merely because it is not upheld.

CEPTI may, however, limit or close procedures that are:

• clearly unrelated to CEPTI activities;
• repetitions of a dispute finally examined without new information;
• submitted solely for harassment or intimidation;
• deliberately based on information that the complainant knows to be false;
• clearly used to disrupt the functioning of the organisation.

Knowingly making false allegations may itself constitute a conduct issue.

CEPTI does not tolerate retaliation against a person solely because that person:

• submitted a complaint in good faith;
• participated as a witness;
• provided information;
• requested review of a decision;
• cooperated with an internal investigation;
• exercised a legal right.

Protection against retaliation does not prevent measures from being taken where separate, genuine misconduct by that person is established.

CEPTI seeks to maintain the confidentiality of information relating to disputes to the extent that this is possible and lawful.

Information is disclosed only to persons who need to know it for:

• examination of the case;
• decision-making;
• obtaining legal advice;
• complying with a legal obligation;
• protecting a person;
• protecting CEPTI’s rights;
• reporting to authorities;
• conducting judicial proceedings.

Confidentiality cannot be guaranteed where disclosure is required by law or necessary for the defence of a right.

CEPTI may propose mediation where the nature of the dispute permits.

Mediation involves the intervention of a neutral person who assists the parties in identifying an acceptable solution.

Participation in mediation is voluntary unless the parties have previously and validly agreed to a different obligation in accordance with law.

Where appropriate, CEPTI may recommend the use of an external mediator accredited in Belgium.

Mediation is not suitable in all circumstances, particularly where an institutional decision is required, where there is immediate risk, or where the matter involves legal obligations that cannot be negotiated.

External disputes may include, without limitation:

• contracts;
• partnerships;
• service provision;
• suppliers;
• digital services;
• payments and invoices;
• events;
• collaborations;
• sponsorships;
• donations;
• use of the CEPTI name;
• use of the logo, trademarks or other identity elements;
• intellectual property;
• statements regarding CEPTI affiliation or accreditation;
• unauthorised use of CEPTI documents;
• breach of confidentiality;
• damage caused to CEPTI;
• unperformed contractual obligations;
• disputes with other associations, institutions, companies or professionals.

Before commencing litigation, where circumstances permit, the party alleging a dispute is encouraged to send written notice.

For CEPTI:

contact@cepti.eu

and, where formal service is required:

Conseil Européen pour les Professionnels et les Thérapies Intégratives – CEPTI
Square de Meeûs 35
1000 Brussels
Belgium

The notice should describe:

• the parties;
• the contractual or legal relationship;
• the issue;
• the obligation alleged to have been breached;
• the alleged damage;
• relevant documents;
• the proposed solution.

A notice under this Policy does not replace any mandatory form of notice, formal demand, service or summons required by law or contract.

Where reasonable, CEPTI seeks to have an external dispute considered first through direct negotiation.

Representatives of the parties should have sufficient authority to discuss a realistic settlement.

Any agreement creating obligations for CEPTI must be approved by the person or body having legal and statutory authority to bind the organisation.

No person may bind CEPTI beyond the limits of their mandate.

If direct negotiation does not lead to a solution, the parties may agree to mediation.

Mediation in Belgium may be conducted within the framework provided by the Belgian Judicial Code.

CEPTI may prefer the use of a mediator accredited by the competent Belgian mediation authority.

The mediator must be independent and impartial.

The place, language, costs and rules of mediation are agreed by the parties.

Unless otherwise agreed, the mediator’s costs may be shared equally between the parties, with each party bearing its own advisory and representation costs.

CEPTI does not impose general mandatory arbitration through this Policy for all disputes.

Arbitration may be used where:

• there is a valid arbitration clause in a contract;
• or the parties agree in writing, after the dispute has arisen, to submit the dispute to arbitration.

The rules, arbitral institution, number of arbitrators, language, seat of arbitration and applicable law must be established by agreement.

No arbitration provision applies where it would violate mandatory rules or mandatory rights of a party.

CEPTI may proceed directly to legal measures without completing negotiation or mediation where urgent protection is required for:

• persons;
• data;
• intellectual property;
• CEPTI trademarks and identity;
• documents;
• funds;
• information systems;
• confidential information;
• institutional reputation against unlawful or misleading use;
• evidence;
• other rights where delay could cause significant harm.

Where permitted by law, CEPTI may seek interim, conservatory or injunctive relief.

Unauthorised use of:

• the CEPTI name;
• logo;
• trademarks;
• accreditations;
• certificates;
• documents;
• texts;
• educational materials;
• databases;
• graphic elements;
• affiliation status;

may result in a request for immediate cessation of use, correction of information, removal of materials and, where necessary, legal proceedings.

No person or organisation may create the impression of CEPTI accreditation, representation, approval, affiliation or authorisation that they do not hold.

Matters concerning the existence, governance and internal functioning of CEPTI, as an ASBL registered in Belgium, are subject to applicable Belgian law.

For external contractual relationships, the applicable law is determined by:

• the contract between the parties;
• applicable mandatory rules;
• rules of private international law, where relevant.

Where validly agreed, CEPTI may provide by contract for the application of Belgian law.

No choice of applicable law may remove protections granted by mandatory rules that, under applicable European or national legislation, cannot be excluded by contract.

Where:

• there is no valid mandatory arbitration procedure;
• amicable resolution has not succeeded;
• and recourse to a court is necessary,

the dispute will be resolved by the competent court in accordance with Belgian law, European law and applicable jurisdiction rules.

In professional or institutional relationships where a jurisdiction clause is valid, CEPTI contracts may confer jurisdiction on the competent courts of Brussels, Belgium.

This provision does not restrict mandatory jurisdiction established by law.

Where a person qualifies as a consumer under applicable law and CEPTI acts in a capacity that triggers consumer protection rules, this Policy does not restrict the consumer’s mandatory rights.

In particular, a contractual choice of Belgian law may not deprive the consumer of the protection provided by mandatory rules of the law that would apply in the absence of such choice.

Likewise, mandatory European rules concerning jurisdiction in consumer disputes prevail over any general wording in this Policy.

Where applicable, the consumer may use the competent Belgian or European alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.

Given the European and international nature of CEPTI’s activities, a dispute may involve persons or entities located in different states.

In such situations, the following may be taken into account, as applicable:

• the law applicable to the contract;
• the competent jurisdiction;
• the place of performance of the obligation;
• the domicile or registered office of the parties;
• European rules of private international law;
• relevant international conventions;
• special rules applicable to consumers.

The parties are encouraged to define these matters clearly in their contracts before a dispute arises.

CEPTI may cooperate with:

• courts;
• administrative authorities;
• data protection authorities;
• regulatory bodies;
• law enforcement authorities;
• other competent authorities,

where cooperation is necessary or required by law.

This Policy does not prevent CEPTI from reporting to the competent authorities a situation that may constitute a breach of law.

CEPTI is represented in legal relations and judicial proceedings by the Board of Directors and/or by persons having powers of representation under Belgian law and the CEPTI Statutes.

The Board of Directors may instruct lawyers, experts, mediators or other professionals to protect the interests of the organisation.

The Executive Council, committees and persons with administrative functions may manage aspects of a dispute only within the limits of the powers granted to them.

A negotiated solution may be recorded in a written agreement.

The agreement should specify, where applicable:

• obligations of each party;
• deadlines;
• any payments;
• confidentiality;
• use of intellectual property;
• agreed statements or corrections;
• valid waivers of certain claims;
• consequences of non-performance;
• applicable law.

An agreement is not binding on CEPTI unless approved and signed by the person or body authorised to bind the organisation.

The CEPTI internal procedure does not, in principle, involve a fee for submitting a complaint.

Each party bears the costs of its own lawyer, adviser or expert unless a legal provision, contractual provision or competent decision provides otherwise.

The costs of external mediation, arbitration or judicial proceedings are borne in accordance with the agreement of the parties, the applicable procedural rules or the decision of the competent authority.

Initiating an internal procedure, negotiation or other amicable discussion does not automatically suspend statutory limitation periods or other legal deadlines unless the law or a valid agreement provides otherwise.

Each party is responsible for protecting its own deadlines and legal rights.

Where permitted by law, CEPTI may agree to measures intended to preserve the parties’ rights during negotiations.

Personal data used in dispute resolution procedures are processed in accordance with:

the CEPTI Privacy and Data Protection Policy

and applicable law.

Access to dispute files is limited to persons with a legitimate need to know the information.

Data may be retained for as long as necessary for:

• resolving the dispute;
• implementing a decision or agreement;
• complying with legal obligations;
• establishing, exercising or defending legal rights.

As an administrative rule, internal case files may be retained for up to 5 years after final closure of the case, with longer retention possible where litigation, legal obligations or legitimate reasons concerning the defence of rights exist.

Once a dispute has arisen or is reasonably anticipated, CEPTI and the persons involved must avoid the intentional destruction of relevant documents.

CEPTI may require temporary preservation of:

• emails;
• documents;
• contracts;
• messages;
• digital files;
• registers;
• minutes;
• other relevant materials.

Any such measure must be applied in compliance with data protection legislation.

To protect the persons involved and the integrity of the process, CEPTI avoids detailed public comment on ongoing disputes.

Where public communication is necessary, it must be:

• factual;
• proportionate;
• authorised;
• compatible with confidentiality obligations;
• compatible with the rights of the persons involved;
• mindful of the presumption of innocence where relevant.

No person is authorised to speak on behalf of CEPTI regarding a dispute unless they have been given a mandate to do so.

CEPTI’s participation in:

• negotiation;
• conciliation;
• mediation;
• discussions aimed at amicable settlement;
• examination of a complaint;

does not, in itself, constitute an admission of legal liability.

A settlement offer does not constitute an admission of a claim unless expressly stated otherwise.

CEPTI seeks to ensure that internal procedures can be reasonably used by the persons involved.

Where possible, CEPTI may adapt:

• the method of hearing;
• the format of communications;
• online participation;
• deadlines in justified circumstances;
• other procedural elements necessary for a fair process.

Such adaptations must not compromise impartiality or the rights of the other party.

Where several complaints concern the same facts or closely related issues, CEPTI may decide to examine them together.

CEPTI may also separate certain aspects of a case where this allows for a fairer or more efficient resolution.

The persons involved will be informed of the manner in which the procedure is organised.

Nothing in this Policy shall be interpreted as:

• a mandatory waiver of a legal right;
• a prohibition on obtaining legal advice;
• a prohibition on contacting an authority;
• an unlawful restriction on access to justice;
• a restriction of mandatory consumer rights;
• a restriction of rights under data protection law;
• a restriction of any other rights that cannot lawfully be excluded by agreement.

This Policy is drafted within the legal framework applicable to CEPTI in Belgium and the European Union, including, where relevant:

• the Belgian Code of Companies and Associations, in particular the provisions applicable to ASBLs;
• the Belgian Judicial Code and rules governing mediation;
• Belgian law on obligations and contracts;
• Belgian legislation on economic practices and consumer protection;
• Regulation (EC) No 593/2008 on the law applicable to contractual obligations – Rome I;
• Regulation (EU) No 1215/2012 on jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters – Brussels I Recast;
• Regulation (EU) 2016/679 – GDPR;
• European and Belgian intellectual property legislation;
• other mandatory rules applicable to the specific nature of the dispute.

CEPTI may update this Policy where there are:

• legislative changes;
• amendments to the Statutes;
• changes in organisational structure;
• new activities;
• new types of accreditation;
• changes to internal procedures;
• practical experience arising from application of the Policy.

The updated version will indicate the date of the latest amendment.

Amending this Policy does not retroactively alter acquired rights and cannot retrospectively validate a procedure that was contrary to a mandatory legal rule.

This Dispute and Litigation Resolution Policy originally entered into force on:

1 August 2025

The updated Version 1.4 applies from:

23 September 2026

For a dispute that began before this update, CEPTI may apply the principles of the updated version to the extent that doing so is fair, lawful and does not adversely affect rights already acquired.

For complaints, disputes or questions regarding this Policy:

Conseil Européen pour les Professionnels et les Thérapies Intégratives – CEPTI
European Council for Integrative Professionals and Therapies – CEPTI

Square de Meeûs 35
1000 Brussels
Belgium

Email: contact@cepti.eu
Telephone: +32 465 75 84 84
Website: https://cepti.eu and https://cepti.ro

Effective date: 1 August 2025
Last updated: 23 September 2026
Version: 1.4