The German Chemical Society (Gesellschaft Deutscher Chemiker e.V.), which was formed in 1949 through the merger of regional branches established from 1946 onwards for what was then the territory of the Federal Republic of Germany, is the successor organisation to the German Chemical Society (founded in 1867 in Berlin) and the German Chemical Society (founded in 1887 in Frankfurt am Main). Following the dissolution of the Chemical Society (formerly the CG of the GDR), its members were able to join the GDCh from the end of 1990. The name ‘German Chemical Society’ has historical roots, and we are aware of its inherent contradictions. Naturally, the GDCh represents the interests of all those interested in chemistry, regardless of their gender, profession, nationality or any other criteria.

The GDCh has set itself the task of promoting science nationally and internationally across the entire field of chemistry and its sub-disciplines and related fields, in accordance with the principles of voluntary participation and excluding any discrimination based on origin or other grounds. At the same time, its activities are aimed at ensuring the benefit of the general public. The acquisition of chemical knowledge and the dissemination of an understanding of chemistry are linked to people who take action and form judgements. The GDCh therefore adopts the following code of conduct and statutes.

The GDCh commits itself and its members to upholding freedom, tolerance and integrity in science, and in particular to safeguarding and enhancing the standing of chemistry, as well as chemical knowledge and expertise. All GDCh members are aware that, as scientists, they bear a special responsibility for the impact of their professional activities on people and the natural world.

The GDCh and its members support and promote sustainable and long-term development in society, the economy and the environment, and are committed to diversity, equality and inclusion in all their activities. They always act with an awareness of their responsibility towards future generations and recognise the importance of chemistry for climate protection and for future-proof, sustainable global development. They comply with the laws and international conventions applicable to their work, its results and its effects, and oppose the misuse of chemistry, e.g. for the production of chemical weapons, narcotic substances or the ecologically irresponsible use of chemical products or their production. In the development, application and dissemination of chemical knowledge, they are committed to the truth, adhere to the rules of good scientific practice in accordance with the guidelines of the German Research Foundation (DFG), and do not resort to any dishonest methods.

Members who breach these principles damage the reputation of science and the profession. They may be expelled from the GDCh.

1. The Association bears the name “German Chemical Society e.V.”, with the abbreviation “GDCh”. The association is hereinafter referred to as the Society.
2. The Society’s registered office is in Frankfurt am Main.
3. The Society’s financial year is the calendar year.

1. The Society is committed to science and the public good.
2. The Society’s aims and objectives are, in particular:
   1. To promote science in the field of chemistry and related disciplines;
   2. To promote and foster the exchange of scientific information and views amongst all those working in the field of chemistry and those with an interest in chemistry, within the framework of applicable laws and regulations;
   3. Promoting knowledge and understanding of chemistry and chemical processes;
   4. Fostering collaboration between scientists and teachers working at universities, other research institutions, in public authorities, schools, and in economics and industry;
   5. Supporting early-career researchers;
   6. Promotion of chemistry-oriented scientific education, training and continuing professional development;
   7. Recognition of outstanding scientific achievements;
   8. Support for scientific work and research projects;
   9. Support for academic publishing and information services;
   10. Cooperation with domestic and foreign organisations with comparable scientific remit;
   11. Advising legislative and administrative bodies, as well as other public institutions or those committed to the public good, in accordance with the aforementioned tasks and objectives;
   12. Promotion of equal opportunities for men and women in chemistry and related fields.
3. The GDCh supports members in need and their relatives or dependants, in accordance with Section 53 of the German Fiscal Code (AO), who, due to their physical, mental or psychological condition, are dependent on the assistance of others or are in financial need. The GDCh may also appeal for donations for this charitable purpose.

1. The objectives set out in the Articles of Association – namely the promotion of science and the public good – are realised in particular through:
   
   1. cooperation between members from the scientific community, industry and government bodies within Divisions, local sections, the JCF (Young Chemists’ Forum) and other branches of the Society;
   2. the organisation and staging of scientific events;
   3. providing information to politicians, public administration and the media;
   4. the publication of an association journal in a suitable format (print, Online, or similar) and of academic publications, reports and books in a suitable format (print, Online, or similar), either alone or in collaboration with other organisations;
   5. the implementation and evaluation of projects to promote research, specialist information and education;
   6. the provision and promotion of digital information systems in particular;
   7. the organisation of scientific information events for professional development;
   8. the awarding of honours for outstanding achievements in research, application, teaching and publishing;
   9. providing professional and financial support to early-career researchers through the awarding of scholarships;
   10. cooperation with academic organisations with similar objectives across national borders, particularly in the fields of publishing, specialist information and the promotion of student and academic exchanges;
   11. acting as trustee for dependent foundations whose objectives are also those of the Society;
   12. the collection and evaluation of data on higher education and fields of academic activity;
   13. Promotion of measures for the development and quality assurance of university courses in chemistry and related fields;
   14. Organisation of public events for educational and informational purposes;
   15. Implementation of measures to promote chemistry-oriented education, training and continuing professional development.
       
2. These activities are pursued as statutory purposes only insofar as they are classifiable for tax purposes as falling within the non-profit sector or special-purpose operations.

The Society has the following resources at its disposal, in particular for the purposes set out in its Articles of Association:

1. membership fees;
2. donations and gifts;
3. Grants and project funding;
4. Assets and income from assets;
5. Income from activities in accordance with the Articles of Association.

1. The company pursues exclusively and directly charitable and benevolent purposes within the meaning of the section ‘Tax-privileged purposes’ of the German Tax Code.
2. The association operates on a non-profit basis; it does not primarily pursue its own economic interests.
3. The association’s funds may only be used for the purposes set out in the Articles of Association.
4. Members of the association shall not, in their capacity as members, receive any payments or shares from the association’s funds or assets.
5. Furthermore, no person may be favoured through expenditure unrelated to the Society’s purposes or through disproportionately high remuneration.
6. The Society’s officers generally work on a voluntary basis, but are entitled to reimbursement of expenses.

1. Anyone who wishes to support the Society’s aims and objectives and has a scientific interest in chemistry may become a member. Membership is voluntary. There is no entitlement to admission to the Society.
2. In order to fulfil the objectives set out in its Articles of Association in the field of chemistry, the Society aims to have as broad a membership as possible, encompassing all specialist areas of chemistry.
3. The Society has individual and supporting members.

4. The individual members are divided into:
   

   1. full members;
   2. honorary members;
   3. associate members.
      

   Full members are:
   
   Those working in chemistry and related fields, as well as other individuals from Germany and abroad with an interest in the chemical and molecular sciences, including students and those undergoing vocational or school-based training.
   
   The General Assembly may, upon the recommendation of the Board, appoint Honorary Members from among outstanding supporters of chemistry and the Society’s objectives. Honorary members have the rights of full members without their obligations. Honorary membership is the highest honour that the Society can bestow.
   Associate members are individuals from Germany and abroad whose educational background is not in the field of chemistry or related disciplines and/or who do not work in this field, and who are solely interested in participating in one of the Society’s Divisions and/or sections. They have the right to vote only within these bodies. Further details are set out in the membership fee regulations.
   

5. Supporting members of the Society may be companies, legal entities, corporations, public-law bodies and institutions, associations, interest groups and public authorities that are able and willing to support the Society’s objectives both in spirit and in practice.

1. The application for membership must be submitted in writing to the office. It must be accompanied by written acceptance of the Society’s code of conduct.
2. The application will be announced to members via the Society’s publication. If no objection is raised within four weeks of the announcement, membership is approved; otherwise, the Board shall decide.
3. The new member will be notified of their admission by the office, together with a copy of the statutes.
4. Membership rights shall be suspended in the event of failure to pay the annual subscription until payment has been made.
5. The Board decides on the admission of a supporting member.

1. Any member may terminate their membership by giving notice. All other matters are governed by the membership fee regulations.
2. Membership ceases upon the death of a member or, in the case of legal entities, upon their dissolution.
3. Members may be expelled:
   
   1. for breaching the statutes or the Society’s code of conduct;
   2. in the event of dishonourable conduct or conduct detrimental to the association;
   3. in the event of non-payment of the membership fee despite a reminder.
      
4. In cases a) and b), expulsion is ordered by the Court of Honour and confirmed by the President of the Society.
5. In case c), expulsion is imposed by the Managing Directors.
6. The rights arising from membership cease upon termination of membership. Termination of membership does not release the member from fulfilling any outstanding obligations towards the association.

1. All members in accordance with § 6(4a) - b and para. 5 have the same voting rights at the General Meeting or in written ballots, the right to initiate motions in accordance with § 13.2, and are entitled to submit motions to the General Meeting. These motions must be submitted to the office, together with a brief justification, no later than six weeks before the General Meeting is held.
2. Within the framework of these statutes, every member is entitled to advice and information from the Society regarding the clarification of non-profit issues relating to chemical science, and to participate in its events, provided that such support does not bring the Society into conflict with the tax provisions of the German Fiscal Code applicable to non-profit organisations. The Society may charge a reasonable fee for any special services requested and utilised.
3. All members are required to support the Society in the fulfilment of its statutory duties. The statutes and the Society’s resolutions are binding.
4. All members are obliged to pay the membership fees set by the general meeting on time and without charge.
5. Members are also obliged to notify the office immediately of any change to their postal or email addresses.
6. The Society’s officers must be full members of the Society.

1. Every member is required to pay an annual subscription.
2. The amount of the annual membership fee for individual members is governed by the membership fee regulations and the fee categories set out therein. The membership fee regulations must be approved annually by the General Meeting.
3. The minimum annual membership fee for supporting members is set by the Board, as are any adjustments to the annual membership fees in consultation with these members.
4. The annual membership fee must be paid without charge by 31 March at the latest, following receipt of the invoice.
5. Honorary members are exempt from paying the membership fee.
6. A member’s rights for the current financial year shall be suspended if the member has not paid their annual subscription within a grace period of two months from the due date.
7. To cover extraordinary expenses, the General Meeting may, on the recommendation of the Board, resolve to levy special contributions.

The affairs of the company are managed by:

1. the general meeting;
2. the Board;
3. the Executive Committee;
4. the Managing Directors;
5. the Court of Honour.

1. The General Meeting is the Society’s supreme body, comprising all members present at the meeting.
2. An ordinary General Meeting shall be convened once a year. To enable as many members as possible to participate in the General Meeting without barriers, the General Meeting shall, as a rule, be held by means of electronic communication (e.g. by telephone or video conference) In the event of Online participation, members’ rights (voting rights, participation in discussions, the right to submit motions, etc.) may be exercised via electronic communication. The date of the general meeting shall be announced, together with the provisional agenda, in writing, electronically or via the association’s publication no later than eight weeks before the general meeting. It shall be convened by the President. The notice convening the meeting, setting out the final agenda, shall be issued in writing, electronically or via the association’s publication no later than four weeks before the meeting. The President heads the meeting. He or she may appoint another person to head the meeting. Any General Meeting duly convened shall constitute a quorum.
3. The General Meeting is responsible, in particular, subject to § 13(8) of the statutes, for the following tasks:
   
   1. Receiving and approving the annual report and the annual accounts for the past financial year, followed by a discussion;
   2. Receiving and approving the auditors’ report, followed by a discussion;
   3. Discharge of the Board and the Managing Directors;
   4. Adoption of the budget for the coming year;
   5. Approval of the membership fee regulations;
   6. Adoption of a resolution on a levy for one-off special expenses, as recommended by the Board;
   7. Election of the members of the Election Committee for the Executive Board election;
   8. Election of the members of the Court of Honour, as proposed by the Board;
   9. Election of the auditors. These must be full members of the Society and must not be members of any of the Society’s bodies nor be employed by it;
   10. Passing a resolution on the appointment of honorary members on the recommendation of the Board.
       
4. Any member may be represented at the General Meeting by another member, or may represent one and only one other member there. A written power of attorney is required for this purpose. The power of attorney must be issued separately for each General Meeting.
5. Resolutions of the General Meeting are passed by a simple majority of the votes cast by the members present, unless otherwise prescribed by law or the statutes. A tied vote is deemed a rejection.
6. A report on the General Meeting must be drawn up and signed by the President or their deputy and the person taking the minutes.
7. The General Meeting is not open to the public. The chair of the meeting may admit guests.
8. Extraordinary general meetings shall be convened:
   
   1. if the Board deems it necessary;
   2. if at least one-tenth of the members request it in writing.
      
9. The extraordinary general meeting must be held within eight weeks of receipt of the request. Members must be invited in writing at least 10 days in advance, stating the agenda.

1. The Board shall consist of individuals who have distinguished themselves through their commitment to the field of chemistry, and its composition should reflect the diversity of the GDCh’s membership. It consists of 15 full members, of whom, at the time of the election:
   
   1. seven from the academic sector (universities, research institutions, public authorities);
   2. seven should come from the business sector and the liberal professions.
   3. One member is delegated for a term of two years by the chairs of the Divisions. A one-off direct re-delegation is possible.
      
2. For the election of members of the Board, the Board shall submit a proposal to all members entitled to vote, which reflects the diversity of the membership as far as possible and includes at least one representative of the JCF (JungesChemieForum). Further proposals may be put forward by the members. Each proposal put forward by the membership must be signed by at least 50 members entitled to vote. Members shall vote by secret postal ballot or by comparable secure electronic voting methods. Further details are set out in the Election Regulations.
3. The Board is elected by the members for a term of four years. The term of office begins on 1 January of the financial year following the election. The elected members remain in office until the new Board takes office. Direct re-election is permitted once.
4. If a member of the Board resigns during their term of office, the person with the next highest number of votes from the relevant category a) or b) shall take their place; if the list of candidates has been exhausted, the remaining Board shall elect a replacement member for the remainder of the term of office.
5. The Board has a quorum if more than half of its members are present.
6. The Board passes resolutions by a majority of votes. In the event of a tie, the Chairperson’s vote shall be the deciding vote.
7. The Board may grant other persons guest status (without voting rights) on the Board for the whole or part of its term of office. If the member of the Presidium is not an elected member of the Board in accordance with §14(1d) of the statutes, that person shall be granted guest status on the Board (without voting rights) for the duration of their term of office.
8. The Board is responsible for all matters concerning the Society, insofar as these are not reserved for or delegated to other bodies or institutions of the Society by mandatory statutory provisions, provisions of the statutes or the Board’s bylaws are reserved for or delegated to other bodies or institutions of the Association. The Board implements the resolutions of the General Meeting.
9. All other matters are governed by the Board’s bylaws.

1. The Executive Committee of the Society comprises:
   
   1. the President,
   2. two Vice-Presidents,
   3. the Treasurer,
   4. the immediate predecessor to the office of President during the first year of the new President’s term of office.
      
2. The President and his or her two Vice-Presidents are elected from among the members of the Executive Committee. Their term of office is two years. Direct re-election to the same office is not permitted.
3. The Treasurer should, where possible, be elected from among the current members of the Executive Committee. In view of the specific duties of the post, the Board may also propose a person who is not a member of the Board. In this case, that person shall be a member of the Board ex officio. The term of office of the Treasurer is four years. He or she may be re-elected.
4. The members of the Executive Committee referred to in paragraph 1(a) to (c) constitute the Board within the meaning of Section 26 of the German Civil Code (BGB). Each member has sole power of representation.
5. The member of the Executive Committee referred to in paragraph 1(d) is, by virtue of their office, a member of the Executive Committee and the Board without the need for a further election. They have an advisory role but no voting rights. If the person is one of the Vice-Presidents or declines the office, the position remains vacant.

1. To manage its affairs, the company shall establish an office headed by a Executive Director, and, where applicable, additional Executive Directors. The Executive Director(s) represent the company in and out of court in all matters of day-to-day administration as special representatives within the meaning of Section 30 of the German Civil Code (BGB).
2. Their duties are set out in bylaws, which form an annex to the relevant employment contract.
3. The Executive Directors shall be appointed by the company’s Board and may be removed by the Board at any time.
4. The manner of representation and, where applicable, an exemption from the restrictions of Section 181 of the German Civil Code (BGB) shall also be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors.
5. The Executive Directors must be registered in the Register of Associations. The application must specify the manner of representation.
6. The Managing Directors are entitled to reasonable remuneration and to reimbursement of actual expenses. The Board shall determine the amount of the remuneration.

1. The members of the Honourary Court are reappointed by the General Meeting every four years. Reappointment for two further terms is permitted.
2. The Court of Honour decides on matters of expulsion in accordance with Section 8(3) and (4), on the basis of the statutes and the code of conduct.

1. In order to carry out and further research in specific areas of chemistry or to address interdisciplinary topics, Divisions may be formed from among the Society’s members. The Board decides on the establishment, dissolution or renaming of Divisions. Divisions operate in accordance with bylaws, which must be agreed with the Managing Directors.
2. The divisions are tasked with supporting the Society and its objectives within their respective fields and promoting the exchange of scientific ideas in their subject areas.
3. The members of each Division shall elect a Board in accordance with the bylaws.
4. Minutes shall be drawn up for every executive committee meeting and general meeting of a Division, subject to approval by the chairperson. The office shall receive a copy of the minutes in each case.
5. The chairs of the Divisions meet at least once a year at the invitation of the President to discuss and coordinate scientific perspectives and priorities for the GDCh’s work. The President may invite other individuals to attend this meeting as guests.

1. The local sections are regional divisions of the Society. They promote the Society’s aims in their region. The local sections operate in accordance with bylaws.
2. The members of a local section elect a chairperson and a deputy chairperson at a local meeting, by secret postal ballot or by comparable secure electronic voting methods. Their term of office is a maximum of four years; re-election is permitted once. Minutes of the election must be sent to the office.
3. The formation of new local sections and other regional sub-organisations must be approved by the Board. The Executive Committee shall also decide on the dissolution of regional branches after consulting the members concerned.
4. Other GDCh structures may also form regional branches.

1. The Young Chemists’ Forum (JCF) is the organisation for the Society’s young members. Through it, they coordinate and organise their activities and represent their interests within the Society at regional and national level.
2. All other matters are governed by the Bylaws.

1. Votes on motions to amend the statutes shall be cast in writing or via comparable secure electronic formats, so that all members can take part.
2. The motions shall be communicated to all members, together with a statement from the Board, for the purpose of voting.
3. An amendment to the Articles of Association is adopted if at least three-quarters of the responses received are in favour of the motion.
4. The Board is authorised to make amendments to the Articles of Association if and to the extent that the Society’s charitable status or its entry in the Register of Associations depends on such amendments, or where the amendments are of an editorial nature intended to clarify the interpretation of the Articles of Association. Members must be notified of the amendments without delay.
5. The annexes to the statutes do not form part of the statutes themselves. They are adopted by a simple majority of the members, the General Meeting or the Board.

1. The General Meeting shall decide on the dissolution of the association.
2. The dissolution of the Society may only take place if it is first proposed by the Board with at least a three-quarters majority of its current members and a General Meeting convened solely for this purpose has also approved it by at least a three-quarters majority.
3. In the event of the dissolution or winding-up of the Society, or in the event that all tax-privileged purposes cease to exist, the assets shall pass to the German Research Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft) or its successor organisation, which shall use them directly and exclusively for charitable research purposes in the fields specified in the Society’s Articles of Association.