HERITAGE ALLIANCE · DATA & KNOWLEDGE

Ethics & Standards

Ethical principles and regulatory considerations adapted from the source portal. Applicable law, approvals and oversight must be confirmed for each project and institution.

Explore the sections below

Core Ethical Principles

Informed consent

Explain intended uses clearly and establish an appropriate consent or other lawful basis.

Data minimisation

Limit collection, access and retention to what the approved purpose requires.

Privacy by design

Assess privacy throughout collection, transformation, analysis and publication.

Equitable benefit

Consider fair participation and benefits; prevent discriminatory or harmful uses.

Regulatory Frameworks

This is explanatory context, not a statement that a project satisfies any particular legal framework.

General Data Protection Regulation

Where GDPR applies, assess lawful processing, individual rights, accountability and international transfers.

African Union data governance

Consider regional governance principles, national sovereignty and local capacity.

National health-data requirements

Confirm local law, NPHI responsibilities and relevant ethics or regulatory requirements.

Ethics Review Process

The source describes a four-stage review involving its own committee and relevant national bodies. Heritage committee appointments and review authority are not established by that description.

  1. Initial screening

    Check the purpose, data sensitivity and expected benefits and risks.

  2. Institutional review

    Seek review from the responsible institutional and national bodies where required.

  3. Conditions and clearance

    Document approvals, limitations, safeguards and responsibilities.

  4. Ongoing monitoring

    Track compliance with conditions and respond to changes or incidents.

Discuss an ethics question

Contact Heritage to identify the appropriate data owner or institutional review contact.

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