JECO – Journal of Environmental Comments and Observations is committed to promoting responsible research practices and maintaining high standards of research integrity. Authors are responsible for ensuring that their research complies with applicable ethical principles, institutional requirements, and national and international legislation.

Research involving human participants, identifiable personal data, or human biological materials must comply with applicable ethical standards and data protection legislation. Where required, authors must obtain approval from an appropriate research ethics committee or Institutional Review Board (IRB) before conducting the research. Informed consent must be obtained from participants whenever required.

Research involving animals must be conducted in accordance with applicable national and international legislation and recognised standards for animal welfare. Where required, prior approval must be obtained from the relevant ethics committee or competent authority. Authors must provide details of the approval, including the name of the approving body and the relevant authorisation or permit number, where applicable.

Research involving the collection of biological specimens, field sampling, protected species, protected areas, or access to regulated sites must comply with applicable legislation and permit requirements. Authors must obtain the necessary authorisations before conducting such activities and provide relevant permit details in the manuscript, where applicable.

Where ethical approval, informed consent, or specific research permits are required, authors must include an appropriate statement in the manuscript, specifying the approving committee or competent authority, the approval or permit number, and the date of approval, where applicable. If ethical approval or informed consent is not required for a particular study, authors must clearly state this and explain the reasons, referring to the applicable institutional policies or national legislation where appropriate. Where an exemption has been formally granted, the name of the relevant committee or authority should be provided. The editorial team reserves the right to request supporting documentation concerning ethical approval, informed consent, and research permits, and to decline manuscripts where applicable ethical or legal requirements have not been met.