Cochrane is introducing important updates to how we implement our Conflict of Interest (COI) policies, making them easier and quicker for authors and staff to navigate while maintaining our high standards. These policies are among the most rigorous in the world, ensuring Cochrane and its reviews remain independent, transparent, and free from commercial influence. 

What are we changing?

• Overhauling the way we collect author declarations of interest (DOIs): after carefully listening to our authors, we are moving away from our current system of collecting DOIs via third-party provider Convey, towards the publishing norm of using a simpler MS Word form to be submitted by the corresponding author alongside the manuscript. This change, effective from June 2nd 2025, will remove the need for authors to use an external system and help our editors make quicker decisions.
• Retiring our 2014 Commercial Sponsorship policy for Cochrane Library content: Cochrane reviews initiated prior to October 2020 are still covered by the 2014 commercial sponsorship policy instead of the 2020 conflict of interest policy. Though most of these Cochrane reviews are now published, any that are still in development must be submitted by October 1st 2025 if they want to use the 2014 policy. All new submissions from October 1st 2025, including protocols, updates and reviews, will need to adhere to the 2020 COI policy for Cochrane Library content.  
• Updates to Cochrane’s conflict of interest (COI) policies: while our policies have not changed, we have made them easier to understand. The COI policy for Cochrane Library content now focuses solely on those involved in publishing with Cochrane, such as authors, editors and peer reviewers. The Cochrane groups COI policy focuses on those who work in Cochrane’s organizational structure, and reflects Cochrane’s membership terms of reference. This will make it easier to know what rules apply to whom under what circumstances. Both policies will come into effect on June 1st 2025.

Why are we making these changes?

• With COI policies as comprehensive as Cochrane’s, it can sometimes be challenging to know what rules apply to whom under what circumstances. The new policy format will make this easier by clearly separating rules for Cochrane authors or those involved in submission and Cochrane Library content and Cochrane group or entity staff.  
• Feedback from some authors highlighted the wording of some policy clauses could be somewhat ambiguous in the past, leading to author queries and unintentional over- or underdisclosure. The new format clarifies on these clauses without changing the underlying rules.
• Our authors have been telling us that our present process of collecting author declarations of interest can be cumbersome and frustrating. In revamping the process and aligning processes with other journals from across the field, we are addressing these concerns with a simpler, quicker solution.

We are not changing the rules – we are making them easier to follow

Ella Flemyng, Cochrane’s Head of Editorial Policy and Research Integrity, explains:

“Cochrane is justifiably proud of our high standards when it comes to ensuring that Cochrane review authors are independent and not influenced by commercial interests. These updates to our processes will help to maintain our high standards of trustworthiness and transparency while making compliance with our policy as straightforward as possible for authors."

Steph Grohmann, Cochrane’s Research Integrity Editor, adds:

“We have been listening closely to our authors to understand how we can make our policies and declaration process more accessible. These updates will make it easier to understand what and how to declare, and will help our editors to communicate decisions as quickly as possible”.  

What does this mean for Cochrane authors?

Our authors will be able to find out more quickly what rules apply to them by having access to a more condensed version of our policy, listing only the rules applicable to them. This will provide greater clarity and help to prepare more efficiently for submission of their review.  

The new simpler process of declaration will reduce the time authors have to spend on the declaration process as well as the time it takes our editors to process their submissions. From June 2nd 2025, with the switch to using a MS Word declaration form, the most crucial change for authors is the timing: while Convey declarations were only requested after submission, the new declaration forms will be submitted alongside the manuscript at submission. This will remove the need for authors to register on an external system, help our editors make quicker decisions, and align Cochrane with other leading journals. If you are working on a protocol, review or update and will submit from June 2nd 2025, please ensure all authors have completed this DOI form, that these completed forms are submitted alongside your manuscript, and you have completed the declarations of interest section in the Cochrane review itself. The form itself will be available from June 2nd, authors with prospective submission dates in early June will be given access to the form during May in order to avoid delays at submission.  

In addition, appeals to COI decisions will be aligned with the rejection appeals process. Having different approaches caused confusion, and so going forward, only one appeal will be considered per COI decision. Authors should therefore ensure that all relevant points are included in their appeal email.

Retiring the 2014 Commercial Sponsorship policy will ensure that consistent standards are applied to all Cochrane reviews going forward, improving author experience and supporting quicker editorial processing. If your Cochrane protocol, review or update is using the 2014 Commercial Sponsorship policy, ensure you submit before October 1st 2025. From October 1st 2025, all new submissions will need to adhere to the 2020 COI policy for Cochrane Library content.  

Over the coming two months, we will publish further guidance on these changes and update our author guidance and materials. We appreciate that any new process can at first raise questions, and we are working hard to provide the answers our authors need. We appreciate your continued support and feedback and look forward to working with you to ensure that while our COI process is becoming simpler, it remains the cornerstone of Cochrane’s mission to produce the most reliable health information in the world.

Author FAQ

Q: Have the rules for COIs changed?

A: No. The rules laid out in our 2020 COI policy for Cochrane Library content remain the same, we have merely tightened the format of the policy and clarified some clauses that in the past have sometimes led to confusion.  

Q: Where can I find the updated COI Policy?

A: The updated COI policy for Cochrane authors will become available when it comes into effect on June 2nd 2025. As the rules have not changed, there is no need to be concerned that this update will change the status of declared interests.

Q: How do I submit my Declaration of Interest now?

A: That depends on your prospective submission date:

• If you are planning to submit your manuscript prior to June 2nd 2025: you will be asked to complete your declaration in our current system using Convey.  
• If you are planning to submit your manuscript after June 2nd 2025: you will be asked to complete our new MS Word DOI form. Corresponding authors will then be asked to submit the forms for their whole author team alongside their manuscript and complete the declarations section in RevMan. The form will be available online from June. Authors with submission dates in early June will be given early access to the form by our editors. More detailed guidance on this will be published over the coming two months.

Q: My manuscript was originally inititated under the 2014 policy, what should I do?

A: If you are working on a protocol, review or update under the 2014 policy and wish to remain under it, you must consider submit to the central editorial service by 1st October 2025. All submissions from this date will automatically fall under 2020 COI policy for Cochrane Library content. Please note that since the 2020 policy has more rigorous rules than the previous version, this means that the COI status of some authors may change even though their circumstances remain the same.  

Q: I have questions about these updates, who can I contact?

A: Our Research Integrity Team is happy to help! Please contact researchintegrity@cochrane.org