Constitution of the International Powerlifting Federation
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Index of contents:
1 Definition
2 Emblem and Flag
3 General Provisions
4 Official Language
5 Members
6 IPF Bodies
7 General Assembly
8 Executives of the IPF
9 Election of the IPF-Officers
10 Non-executive Officers
11 Committees, Commission, Panel
12 Regional Federations
13 Subscription and Fees
14 Disciplinary Actions and Penalties
15 IPF Anti-Doping Rules
16 Restrictions on Trading
17 Voluntary Dissolution of the Organisation
Terminology
Unless specifically stated otherwise, the terms "General Assembly", "President" "Technical Committee" and such like shall mean the "IPF General Assembly", "IPF President", "IPF Technical Committee" etc.
Unless specifically stated otherwise, the terms "him", "his" and "Chairman" shall refer to persons of either sex.
If in the IPF Constitution / By-Laws and all other rules a deadline is foreseen, it is meant the CET (Central European Time).
1 DEFINITION
1.1 Name
1.1.1
The INTERNATIONAL POWERLIFTING FEDERATION hereinafter called “IPF” is an organisation founded in 1972 in Harrisburg, United States. The IPF is a non-profit organisation. The Federation is composed of the affiliated National Federations governing the sport of powerlifting on the basis of one national federation per country.
1.2 Objectives
1.2.1 The union of all eligible athletic clubs, organisations or other groups active in powerlifting throughout the world.
1.2.2 To develop standardized competitive rules.
1.2.3 Maintain a system for recognizing and approving records.
1.2.4 Establish administrative and technical committees from its own number.
1.2.5 Establish, define and enforce rules for the government of powerlifting internationally.
1.2.6 Promote, support and encourage drug free powerlifting.
1.2.7 Produce official bulletins and/or powerlifting publications.
1.2.8 Secure other national affiliates (countries).
1.2.9 Promote, sanction and supervise international development programs and competitions, including world championships and single lift competitions.
1.2.10 Maintain an IPF General Assembly of bona fide international representatives.
1.2.11 To further the cause of powerlifting and strive for acceptance by the International Olympic Committee.
1.2.12 To maintain membership of the General Assembly of International Sports Federations and take part in the World Games.
1.3 Public utility
The IPF works for the purposes of this order for the benefit of the public in each valid version. All actions and activities carried out by the IPF are not aiming a profit.
The members have no interest in the federation property. The members of this body work in an honorary capacity; the property of the IPF serves exclusively for charitable purposes of the sport. Any profits may be supplied only for statutory purposes. The members receive no shares in the profits.
No person may receive for an activity or task in the IPF, an unreasonably high reimbursement.
1.4 Funds for the reaching of the statutory tasks
To the fulfilment of the federation tasks, necessary money is raised by:
a) Membership fees of the member federations, lifters and referees
b) Income of competitions
c) Sanction fees
d) Donations
e) Fees
f) Income from advertisements
g) Income from Internet Pay-TV
h) Miscellaneous income
2 EMBLEM AND FLAG
2.1 Emblem
The emblem of the International Powerlifting Federation is the abbreviation “IPF” written in oblique letters of font “Arial” in blue. The letters “IPF” are embraced by a curved blue line on the top and by a curved red line on the bottom. The top of the red line ends with two arms directly under a red bended bar, having three red discs on either end with light red marked distances between the discs.
The colours of IPF emblem are defined in CMYK / RGB: red (0-98-100-0 / 227-12-25), blue (96-100-30-15 / 38-39-94), light red (0-48-17-0 / 242-162-174). The corresponding colours for the black and white version of the emblem are defined as well: “red” (75-70-65-78 / 30-29-29), “blue” (0-0-0-100 / 26-23-27), light red (0-0-0-30 / 198-199-200).
2.2 Flag
The flag of the IPF is the emblem together with the full name “International Powerlifting Federation” written with the font “Helvetica Italic” in blue. The lettering begins where the two curved lines of the emblems converge on the right side of the emblem. On the right side of the flag, a stylized globe in light blue and the IPF homepage address are displayed.
2.3 Authorisation
2.3.1 The IPF emblem must not be used without the IPF's authorisation.
2.3.2 Only the IPF may authorise the fabrication of its emblem, badges, medals, etc.
3 GENERAL PROVISIONS
3.1 The IPF is recognised by the General Association of International Sport Federations - SportAccord and the International World Games Association (IWGA).
3.2 In its activities, the IPF follows the Olympic ideal and principles and support and maintain the ideals and objectives of the Olympic movement. The IPF accept and recognize the Statutes and aims of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the General Association of International Sports Federations - SportAccord and those of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
3.3 All political and religious discussions or demonstrations are forbidden within the IPF.
3.4 The IPF supports all initiatives by Powerlifters for peace and understanding.
3.5 No distinction is made between continents, countries or individuals for reasons of race, colour, gender, religion or politics.
4 OFFICIAL LANGUAGE OF THE IPF
4.1 The official language of the IPF is English.
4.2 All the publications and reports of the IPF are in English. The proceedings of the meetings of the Executive and the Committees are held in English.
5 MEMBERS
5.1 Membership
The membership of the IPF consists of national affiliates active in powerlifting. The IPF can recognise only one member (organisation) from each nation.
The recognition of a National Federation will be done in agreement with the Olympic Charter (Chapter 3, Article 26), and following the regulations contained in these statutes. The IPF will inform the NOC of the country in question.
The National Federations affiliated to the IPF must be independent inside their own country. The members of the Executive Committee and the President must be elected democratically, and have the nationality of the country concerned.
All affiliated Federations and their members shall recognise the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne as the only external body for jurisdiction
A new member nation must be affiliated to the IPF before it can be affiliated to its regional federation.
Only those lifters who are members of their respective national federation, association or organisation, can be considered eligible for membership.
Categories of IPF Membership:
5.1.1 Full Member
5.1.2 Provisional Member
A Provisional Member may only compete in world championships by the decision of the IPF Executive or in regional championships by decision of the Regional Executive or Regional President if no Executive exists. However, once granted permission, a Provisional Member shall have all competition rights but no vote. The Executive will be authorised to decide the amount of annual subscription required from a Provisional Member.
All countries applying for membership shall, on payment of the annual subscription fee, be granted provisional membership of the IPF subject to ratification at the next General Assembly.
5.2 Representation
The IPF is governed by a General Assembly consisting of a maximum of two delegates from each nation affiliate with one vote per country, and the IPF EC members with one vote each.
EC members are restricted to only one vote even as the officers cannot represent both their nation and the IPF Executive committee.
An annual membership fee as stipulated in 103.2.1 of the IPF By-Laws must be paid by the member nations at the latest by the 30th of September each year to have voting rights at the annual General Assembly of this particular year.
To have voting rights at the election General Assembly, an existing member nation must have paid the membership fee in the 4-year period every year prior to the election. New member nations must have paid their membership fee annually, from the year of their provisional membership.
6 IPF BODIES
The IPF is composed of the following bodies:
• the General Assembly
• the Executive
• the Committees
7 GENERAL ASSEMBLY
7.1 General Provisions
7.1.1 The General Assembly is the supreme governing body of the IPF.
7.1.2 The General Assembly shall meet annually one day before the start of the Men's and Women’s Open World Championships.
7.2 Powers
The General Assembly has the power:
7.2.1 To admit any national affiliate (country) eligible under the Constitution by means of a two-thirds majority of votes cast.
7.2.2 To prescribe and amend the constitution by a two-thirds majority of votes cast and the By-Laws by a simple majority of votes cast.
7.2.3 To impose and enforce penalties for any violation of the Constitution or By Laws.
7.2.4 By a two-thirds majority vote of members present, to remove any suspension or remit any penalty previously imposed on any person or organisation, being members of the IPF.
7.2.5 To remove from office by means of a two thirds majority vote, any person who through neglect of duty or misconduct has brought the IPF into disrepute or in any way impaired its function or development.
7.2.6 To establish dues of the IPF.
7.2.7 To control the income, expenditure and property of the IPF. In particular, it shall examine the audited balance sheet presented by the Treasurer and approve a budget for the forthcoming year.
7.2.8 To call and determine the time and place of special meetings of the General Assembly.
7.2.9 To institute, locate, conduct and manage all international powerlifting.
7.2.10 To establish, define and enforce rules for the government of international powerlifting.
7.2.11 To explain, define and interpret any provision of the Constitution.
7.2.12 To consider and accept proposed changes to the Constitution and By-Laws every fourth year commencing in 1998.
7.2.13 To ratify the IPF Anti-Doping Rules with amendments made into those rules by the Executive Committee.
7.2.14 To elect the executive officers of the IPF every four years. Elect executive officers to fill any casual vacancies, which may occur between such election years.
7.2.15 To form standing, ad hoc and sub committees and to elect the chairman of the same. The standing committees of the IPF shall include Medical, Technical, Disciplinary, Appeal and Women’s Committee.
7.3 Annual General Assembly
7.3.1 Annual
Unless otherwise determined by the General Assembly, the annual meeting of the IPF will be held one day before the start of the Men's and Women’s Open World Championships.
7.3.2 Special
Special meetings of the IPF are scheduled at the request of the President or at the written request of two thirds of the members of the IPF. Specific matters, except amendments to the Constitution, can be considered at a special meeting.
7.3.3 Notices
Time is of the essence. Not less than thirty (30) days notice must be given of any special or annual meeting of the IPF. The Secretary General will airmail a notice and agenda to all named delegates or their national federation. A notice sent to the last address known to the Secretary General complies with this requirement. The official agenda for the IPF General Assembly must be received by all members at least thirty (with amendment 30) days before the General Assembly takes place. Items not in the agenda cannot be considered in the General Assembly.
7.3.4 Order of Business
At all annual meetings of the IPF the following will be the order of business:
1) Roll Call
2) President's Address
3) Minutes of the last General Assembly
4) Treasurer's Report – Auditor’s report
5) Secretary General's Report
6) Committee Reports
7) Regional Report
8) Elections
9) Action on proposed amendments
10) New Member Applicants
11) Delinquent Nations
12) Hall of Fame
13) Future Championships
14) Any Other Business
15) Adjournment
7.3.5 Quorum
At all meetings of the IPF, a quorum will consist of twenty per cent of nations in full membership.
7.3.6 Procedures
The following are the procedural rules for all meetings of the IPF:
7.3.6.1 The Standing Orders of the IPF are the supreme document for all IPF meetings except when they are in conflict with the provisions of the Constitution. In such cases, the Constitution prevails.
7.3.6.2 A motion to table is debatable only when a time to debate is fixed by a simple majority of the General Assembly.
7.3.6.3 All amendments to the Constitution and the By Laws must be submitted to all national affiliates and the appropriate committee before it can be acted upon at the annual meeting of the IPF. Such proposed amendments must be in the hands of the Secretary General at least sixty (60) days prior to the date of the General Assembly. A national federation, a regional federation or the appropriate committee, can submit all such amendments. The Secretary General shall send out all such amendments at least thirty (3O) days prior to the date of the General Assembly for the attention of all national affiliates.
7.3.7 Credential
The following are required:
7.3.7.1 The names of all delegates to the General Assembly. Member Federations may designate a maximum of two delegates, preferably the President and the Secretary General. Delegates other than the President and Secretary General must be a member of their national federation and shall present a written authority of their national federation not later than the opening of the annual or special meeting.
7.3.7.2 Failure to make the proper certification will deny a seat at such meetings unless the delegate is accepted by a simple majority vote of General Assembly.
8 EXECUTIVE OF THE IPF
8.1 Titles
The titles of the officers of the IPF are: President, Vice-President, Secretary General, Treasurer, and Board Members. A maximum of two executive officers shall be from any nation. A member of a regional Executive committee cannot hold a regional and an IPF officer function as President, Secretary General and Treasurer; only the regional elected Board member can hold a regional and an IPF officer function.
8.2 Executive
The Executive shall consist of the President, Secretary General, Treasurer and 6 Board members. The Regions (Continents) determine the 6 board members. There shall be at least a quorum of five members. In the event of an impasse (stalemate), the President shall cast the deciding vote.
8.3 Powers of the Executive
8.3.1 It shall be the governing body of the IPF between General Assemblies.
8.3.2 To maintain running control of the expenditure of the IPF, in accordance with the budget approved by the General Assembly.
8.3.3 It shall prepare a budget for the forthcoming year for presentation to the General Assembly.
8.3.4 Vacancies. In the event of the death, resignation or in case of inattention to duty by recommendation of the Disciplinary Committee, the various offices are to be filled as follows:
8.3.4.1 President: The Vice President will succeed the President until the next General Assembly. At this General Assembly, the presidential successor shall be elected.
8.3.4.2 Vice-President: The Executive shall appoint a successor to serve until the next General Assembly.
8.3.4.3 Secretary General and Treasurer: The Executive shall appoint a successor to serve until the next General Assembly.
8.3.5 To appoint the non-executive officers specified in 10.1 hereunder. The Executive shall also have the power to remove non-executive officers from office.
8.3.6 To administer the IPF Development Fund.
8.3.7 To amend the IPF Anti-Doping Rules upon consult with the Anti-Doping Commission.
8.3.8 To establish the commissions and panels as specified in the IPF Anti-Doping Rules, and to appoint the Chair and other members of each commission and panel established under this rule.
8.3.9 The executive with 2 members of the technical committee, 2 members of the women's committee, 2 members of the coach commission and 2 members of the athletes’ commission have the authority to modify the Technical Rules. Such modifications must have a two-thirds majority of votes cast.
Any modification will be effective from 1st of January and must be presented to the annual IPF congress before the Technical rules is modified.
8.3.10 The IPF Executive Committee shall invite the Chair of the IPF Committees / Commissions to the discussion of issues that fall within the competence of their particular Committee / Commissions.
8.3.11 To negotiate and sign contracts with the equipment manufacturers. The terms of such contracts shall be not more than an election period.
8.3.12 Is responsible for implementing and monitoring the IPF Code of Ethics and a Business Plan.
9 ELECTION OF THE IPF-OFFICERS
9.1 Election
Elections for all officers will be held every four years.
9.2 Term of Office
9.2.1 The term of office for all officers of the IPF shall be for four years and the mandate of all officers, even those who were elected between electoral General Assemblies, shall expire at the electoral General Assembly. All officers shall be eligible for re-election.
9.2.2 A person may be nominated for IPF office by any national member federation, provided that the candidate is in good standing in his own national federation. "A member in good standing" shall be defined as a fully paid up or honorary member within his national federation, who is not under suspension by that body or by any other respectable sport organization, including the IPF regions and the IPF.
9.2.3 Nominations of candidates for each IPF offices shall be received by the IPF Secretary General at the latest 45 days prior to the date of the General Assembly where the election shall take place. Later nominations shall not be accepted, except there is no nomination for an IPF-Office.
10 NON-EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
10.1 Titles
The titles of the non-executive officers of the IPF are: Championships Secretary, Auditor, Newsletter Editor, Media Officer, Internet Officer, Records Registrar, Referee’s Registrar.
10.2 Appointment and Rights
The Executive shall appoint non-executive officers. By invitation of the President they may attend meetings of the Executive but without vote and with voice only on matters relating to their respective offices.
11 COMMITTEES, COMMISSION, PANEL
11.1 General Provisions
Each committee shall consist of a chairman elected by the General Assembly and a maximum of six (6) members (exception Technical committee 10 members) from various nations who shall be appointed by the Executive in consultation with the Committee Chairman.
11.2 Medical Committee
11.2.1 All decisions of the Committee require the approval of the General Assembly. However, the Committee’s decisions are the final decisions of the IPF on the matters as assigned in article 4.4 of the IPF Anti-Doping Rules having the responsibility of the Medical Committee:
11.2.1.1 to consider and make decisions on requests for Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs) of international level athletes;
11.2.1.2 to establish a register for the TUE applications and decisions on them and keep the Register updated;
11.2.1.3 all members of the Medical Committee, as well as any administrative persons of the IPF involved, shall conduct all of their activities on TUEs in strict confidence, and shall sign confidentiality and conflict-of-interest agreements in accordance with article 5.0 of the WADA International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions;
11.2.1.4 to modify the WADA TUE application forms suitable to use within the IPF and ensure that the forms are displayed at the IPF Web site.
11.2.2 Safeguards the health of the lifters.
11.2.3 Act as consultant to the promoter of world championships on such matters as medical and hygienic conditions and food supplies to competitors.
11.2.4 Appoint duty doctor(s) for each day of the championships. The doctor(s)' specific duties shall include:
11.2.4.1 To be available at each weigh-in period.
11.2.4.2 Supervise the application of bandages and plasters in accordance with IPF rules and notify the Jury of such treatment.
11.2.4.3 Establish a liaison with local medical facilities and doctors for the provision of medical treatment, transport and ambulance service if necessary in emergency.
11.2.4.4 The duty doctor to be present at the start of each competition together with referees and lifters.
11.2.4.5 The duty doctor may participate in the doping control procedure.
11.2.5 Conduct research and collect material relating to the field of sports medicine. Such material when approved to be distributed to affiliated nations.
11.2.6 Carry out specific studies in relation to sports injuries, treatment and prevention.
11.2.7 Take out and maintain membership of International Sports Medicine Federations.
11.2.8 Conduct such research as necessary to review and establish appropriate bodyweight classes for powerlifting competition.
11.2.9 Conduct such research as necessary to review and establish appropriate doping control procedures to ensure the integrity of powerlifting competition and records.
11.3 Disciplinary Committee
11.3.1 Disciplinary hearings
The following provisions shall apply to Disciplinary hearings.
11.3.1.1 DISCIPLINARY HEARINGS
The Disciplinary committee shall investigate the case of any affiliated federation, lifter or official accused of any of the following:
I) Bringing the IPF or the sport of Powerlifting into disrepute.
II) Acting in a manner that is contrary to the best interests of the IPF.
III) Contravening any of the provisions of the Constitution or By-Laws.
IV) Contravening any of the rules or regulations governing the accepted behaviour of members of the IPF.
Following such investigation it may impose an appropriate penalty.
11.3.1.2 Representation
The nation, the concerned lifter or official has the opportunity to let himself be represented at the Disciplinary Committee by an authorised person, e.g. lawyer. The costs for the representative have to be paid by the nation, the lifter or the official himself, regardless of the outcome of the hearing.
11.3.2 Duties
The Disciplinary committee (DC) shall be entrusted with the examination and decision of disciplinary cases within the IPF. The Secretary General mandated by the Executive Committee shall send such cases to the DC. Disciplinary cases also can be sent to the DC by a national federation. The DC shall further collect all relevant information needed to deal with the case as mandated in the various parts of the Constitution and By-Laws. All sensitive information shall be treated confidential within the parties involved.
The Disciplinary committee consists out of the Chairman elected by General Assembly and 2 other members appointed by the Executive Committee.
The Disciplinary committee must decide about all penalties except on doping related cases. Duties of the DC as apply to the Result Management Procedure on doping related cases are as defined in article 7 of the IPF Anti-Doping Rules.
11.4 Appeal Committee
11.4.1 Appeal hearings
The Appeal committee shall receive all documents relating to any appeal except an appeal(s) against any decision on doping related cases. Decisions made under the IPF Anti-Doping Rules may be appealed exclusively to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in accordance with the provisions applicable before such court (re the IPF Anti-Doping Rules, article 13).
Appeals other than appeals to the CAS must be lodged with the Appeal Committee Chairman within one month of the written notification of the decision on which the appeal is based. A copy of the appeal must be sent to the Secretary General.
The Appeal committee shall within one month of receiving all documentation relating to the appeal examines and investigate the matter and decide on an appropriate penalty.
Appeals lodged with the Appeal Committee and appeals to the General Assembly must each be accompanied by payment according to By-Laws 103.2.9 for appeals. If the appeal is successful no financial claim or other petition for damages may be made against the IPF. Following successful appeals, the fee paid for the appeal will be refunded.
An appeal against any decision of the Appeal Committee may be made to the General Assembly. Such appeal must be lodged with the Secretary General within one month of the written decision of the Appeal Committee, and not later than six weeks before the date of the General Assembly. The appeal shall be lodged with the Secretary General who shall then include the appeal on the agenda to be considered by General Assembly.
Within a one month period following the decision of General Assembly on an appeal, there shall be a final right of appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne / Switzerland.
The Appeal Committee may, in its absolute discretion, waive or vary the time limits contained herein.
11.4.2 Duties
The Appeal committee consists out of the Chairman elected by General Assembly and 4 members. The members must not be simultaneous a member in the Disciplinary Committee.
Duties are described in the in the IPF-Constitution 11.4.1 „Appeal Hearings“.
After examining all facts and documents the committee makes its decision and sends this to the IPF-Executive and the concerned national federation.
11.5 Law and Legislation Committee
11.5.1 Shall receive any proposals regarding Constitution and By-Laws documents of the IPF from member nations within the proper time frame, evaluate accordingly and suggest to the IPF-Executive Committee alternative courses in action.
11.5.2 Shall serve as the parent committee in further amending the Constitution and By-Laws.
11.5.3 Is responsible for updating the Constitution and the By-Laws.
11.5.4 Shall study the Constitutions of new applicant nations and report the results to the Secretary General.
11.6 Anti-Doping Commission
The Anti-Doping Commission shall be responsible for overseeing all testing conducted by the IPF. Testing may be conducted by members of the IPF Anti-Doping Commission or by other qualified persons so authorised by the IPF Anti-Doping Commission.
11.6.1 The Anti-Doping Commission consists of a Chair and a minimum of four and a maximum of five other members with experience in anti-doping elected by the Executive Committee.
11.6.2 The Anti-Doping Commission shall arrange, co-ordinate and supervise doping testing for all IPF World Championships and other International Events where the IPF is the ruling body for the Event, and for Out-of-Competition Doping Control Sessions initiated by the IPF. The main duties are:
a) to establish and maintain a system for collecting details regarding the Sample Collection Sessions;
b) to establish criteria for who may be authorised to be present during a Sample Collection Sessions;
c) to co-operate with the organisers/promoters of World Championships and other International Events where the IPF is the ruling body for the Event in preparing the Sample Collection Sessions;
d) to ensure that the Doping Control Stations meet the minimum criteria prescribed in article 6.3.2 of the WADA International Standard for Testing;
e) to appoint the sample collection Officers and their assistants or to make contracts with an Anti-Doping Agencies or assets to carry out the sampling at all World Championships and other International Events where the IPF is the ruling body for the Event;
f) to appoint the sample collection Officers and their assistants or to make contracts with an Anti-Doping Agencies or assets to carry out the sampling at Out-of-Competition Doping Control Sessions;
g) to provide an appropriate sample collection equipment and documents to the Doping Control Stations, or to ensure that the appointed Doping Control Officers are equipped with the relevant sampling kit and documents;
h) to ensure that Sample Collection Equipment used meets the minimum criteria prescribed in article 6.3.4 of the WADA International Standard for Testing;
i) to ensure that the Sample Collection procedures, Security/Post test administration and Transport of Samples and documentation substantially complies with the requirements prescribed in articles 7.0 – 9.3.6 of the WADA International Standard for Testing.
11.6.3 The Anti-Doping Commission shall also review and update the criteria for inclusion in a Registered Testing Pool; and
11.6.4 Collect, maintain and monitor sufficient athlete whereabouts information;
11.6.5 Develop and document a test distribution plan;
11.6.6 Select athletes for Out-of-Competition coping control;
11.6.7 Report to the WADA clearinghouse all In-Competition and Out-of-Competition tests on athletes included in the IPF Registered Testing Pool as soon as possible after such tests have been conducted.
11.7 Doping Hearing Panel
11.7.1 Consists of a Chair and four other experts with experience in anti-doping. Each panel member shall be otherwise independent of the IPF. Each panel member shall serve a term of four years.
11.7.2 As determined in article 8 of the IPF Anti-Doping Rules, arranges and conduct of hearings and makes decisions when it appears, following the result management process described in article 7 of the IPF Anti-Doping Rules, that the IPF Anti-Doping Rules have been violated at or in connection of International Events or Out-of-Competition testing on an international level athletes initiated by the IPF or WADA.
12 REGIONAL FEDERATIONS
12.1 Regional Federations
The IPF recognizes six (6) regional federations: the African, Asian, European, Oceania, North America and South-America Federations subject to the following conditions:
12.1.1 Each region shall elect an officer to act as IPF Board member for that region. Such nomination shall only come into force if ratified by the IPF General Assembly.
12.1.2 National federations must affiliate to the appropriate regional federation (if one exists) as well as to the IPF.
12.1.3 Their constitution and rules must be submitted to the Secretary General and must conform to all IPF statutes and rules where applicable.
12.1.4 Their championships must be conducted in full accordance with IPF technical rules.
12.1.5 They cannot issue permits for competitions other than their own regional championships.
12.1.6 In Regional Championships, the Regional Federations have the authority to suspend competitors or officials and take disciplinary actions against them except on doping related cases. They must report these facts to the IPF, which in turn may extend these disciplinary actions on a worldwide level. Regional Federations cannot suspend National Federations but may propose such action to the IPF.
12.1.7 Regional Federations must enforce the IPF Anti-Doping Rules and a doping control must be carried out in all Regional Events in full accordance with the IPF Anti-Doping Rules.
12.1.8 Affiliated federations of Commonwealth countries may organise a sub-IPF federation in order to stimulate competition within the Commonwealth.
12.1.9 The IPF must not interfere in national affairs except the Technical Rules, Constitution and By-Laws will not apply.
13 SUBSCRIPTIONS AND FEES
13.1 Subscription
The General Assembly will determine the amount of the annual subscription to the IPF from time to time. The subscription is payable at the latest by the 30th of September each year. Upon receiving payment, a certificate of membership will be issued by the Treasurer. Any country, which has not paid its subscription for the current year, cannot participate or vote in the various meetings of the IPF. Its lifters cannot take part in competitions or meetings organised under the rules of the IPF, nor obtain ratification of their records. A reminder letter shall be sent to every national federation, which has not paid its subscription by the end of January.
13.2 Fee for organising an international contest
Any national federation organising an international contest must pay to the IPF a fee in accordance with the scale set out in the By Laws.
13.3 Permission for organising an international contest
On payment of the required fee, the Secretary General will issue a permit for the international contest to the organising national federation. An additional condition for permission is, that at the international contest drug tests must be carried out according IPF rules. Facilities must be made available in which doping control may be carried out. These are separate facilities or rooms, and are not used for other purposes.
Only member federations can apply for a sanction of an international contest.
13.4 Participation in a contest without permission
No national federation shall take part in a contest for which a permit has not been issued.
14 DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS AND PENALTIES
14.1 Failure to apply for Competition Permit
National federations, which neglect to request the required IPF permit for an international competition and do not pay the required fee, shall be fined an additional EUR 200. The Secretary General shall send a warning letter to them. If the fee and fine are not paid within thirty (30) days of sending the warning, the national federation shall be suspended until such time as the total amount has been paid. Sanction fees for world championships must be paid at the time of application for the event.
14.2 Failure to Pay Annual Subscription Fee
A national federation, which has not paid its annual subscription by the 30th of September, despite having received a reminder letter, shall be suspended from membership of the IPF.
14.3 Defaulting on Agreements to Compete
If a national federation defaults on a competition engagement with another country or countries, the DC may, in the case of disagreement between them, make a decision or impose penalties if the IPF Constitution or rules have been ignored.
14.4 Reporting Infractions in International Competition
If a lifter or official commits any form of violation during an international contest in another country, the organising national federation must send a detailed report to the IPF Secretary General. He in turn will inform the Disciplinary Committee which will impose appropriate penalties. The organising national federation cannot penalise lifters or officials from other countries.
14.5 Suspension of Federations for Violations of Constitution/Bylaws
Any affiliated national federation, which violates the Constitution or rules of the IPF, shall be suspended by recommendation of the Disciplinary Committee for a period to be decided by the General Assembly.
14.6 Hearing prior to Penalty
Any national federation, lifter or official asserted to have committed a rule violation has the right to be heard in its or his/her case before the relevant disciplinary or hearing body decides upon the penalty to be imposed.
14.7 Procedure for Filing Complaints against Individuals
Any lifter or official who considers that he has been wronged has the right to file a written complaint stating his reasons for complaining. This must be done through the intermediary of his national federation. If another person is implicated, the latter must be heard if at all possible. If the complaint is not made to the organizing national federation, it may be made to the Jury before the start of the competition. It must be examined immediately and if possible a decision taken.
A copy of the complaint and the decision of the Jury must be in writing and must be sent to the Disciplinary Committee.
14.8 Participation of Foreign Lifters in National Competition
A lifter living in a foreign country may only participate in competitions organised in that country provided that he presents written evidence of permission of his national federation to take part in such competition. This is to be provided by his own national federation.
14.9 Participating in Non-IPF Competition
Any lifter, coach, referee or official who competes or participates in an international Powerlifting or Bench Press competition not organised, sanctioned or approved by the IPF shall not be permitted to take part in any IPF international or regional competition for a period of 12 months from the date of that non-approved competition.
14.10 Other causes for Suspension/Expulsion:
Dishonourable conduct, failure to attend, “throwing competitions”, competing against an Athlete who have been expelled or is under a period of Ineligibility
The following may be subject to suspension or expulsion:
14.10.1 Any lifter properly entered for a competition that without acceptable reasons does not attend.
14.10.2 Any lifter who is deemed guilty of violating the rules or disobedience towards his national federation or any official in the execution of his duties.
14.10.3 Any lifter convicted of agreement to alter his best effort.
14.10.4 Any lifter, who by words or gestures threatens referees or any other officials in the execution of their duties.
14.10.5 Any lifter who participates in a contest with other countries without permission of his national federation.
Penalties
Up to a maximum of 6-month suspension for the first offence.
Up to a maximum of 12-month suspension for the second offence and a maximum fine of EUR 250.
14.10.6 An Athlete or official shall not participate in contests or competitions if there is any Athlete or official participating in any division, section or bodyweight class of that contest or competition who has been expelled or suspended from his or her international or national federation or who is serving the period of Ineligibility for a doping related offence.
Penalty for violation of this rule (14.10.6):
Six (6) months’ Ineligibility commencing from the date of violation.
The determination of the applicability or otherwise of penalty under this rule (14.10.6) shall be made by the IPF Disciplinary Committee (DC). Prior to such determination by the DC, the IPF Executive Committee may provisionally suspend the athlete, such suspension to commence from the date of the alleged violation.
14.11 Offences against person while at Championships, Jury Role
For offences such as false accusations of dishonour or dishonesty against a lifter or Official occurring at a championship, the Jury decides in these cases as soon as is possible (see Constitution 14.12 and 14.15)
Penalties
First minor offence: up to a maximum of 6-month suspension.
Second minor offence: up to a maximum of 12-month suspension and a maximum fine of EUR 250.
First serious offence: up to a maximum of 12-month suspension.
Second serious offence: up to a maximum of 24-month suspension and a maximum fine of EUR 500.
14.12 Ad Hoc Jury as Discipline Body
In absence of a Jury an ad hoc Jury may exclude a lifter or official from a competition for reasons of his misconduct. In such a case the Jury or ad hoc Jury must inform the lifter or official’s own national federation, who in turn must decide what punishment to impose upon the lifter or official.
In absence of a Jury the IPF Official, who is the official representative of the IPF at this championship, must arrange an ad hoc Jury. The decisions of this Jury must be sent to the Disciplinary Committee.
14.13 Penalty for “Bringing the Sport into Disrepute”
Any member of an affiliated national federation who is found to be guilty of bringing the sport into disrepute by means of his comments, published articles, TV or radio broadcasts may be requested to appear before the Disciplinary Committee. Should the Committee feel that a bona fide case of violation exists, they will then present the matter to the General Assembly with a recommendation for appropriate penalties.
14.14 Responsibility for Payment of Fines
The concerned member federations are responsible for the payment of all fines that the Disciplinary Committee has imposed.
14.15 Limitations to Jury’s Role in Discipline
The Jury has the right to act as Disciplinary Committee, but only in cases which are connected to the championship and which need an immediate decision. The decision of the Jury is definite for this championship. The President of the Jury must send a copy of all decisions with all related documents to the Disciplinary Committee who will then review the actions of the Jury.
14.16 Sanctions and Consequences for Anti-Doping Rule Violations
14.16.1 In case of a violation of the IPF Anti-Doping Rules, the lifter or other person involved shall be imposed in an appropriate period of Ineligibility as defined under Article 10 of the IPF Anti-Doping Rules and shall be subject to other consequences as defined under Articles 9 and 10 of the IPF Anti-Doping Rules.
14.16.2 Consequences to Teams shall be as defined under Article 11 of the IPF Anti-Doping Rules.
14.16.3 Sanctions and costs assessed against National Federations shall be as defined under Article of the IPF Anti-Doping Rules.
14.17 Official Defined
The term "official" wherever it may appear in this Article, shall be deemed to include all persons described as such in the IPF Technical Rules or appointed by the organising committee of a championship, to act in any official capacity during the whole or any part of that championship.
15 IPF ANTI-DOPING RULES
15.1 Scope of the IPF Anti-Doping Rules
The IPF Anti-Doping Rules shall apply to the IPF, each National Federation of the IPF, and each Participant in the activities of the IPF or any of its National Federations by virtue of the Participant's membership, accreditation, or participation in the IPF, its National Federations, or their activities or Events.
To be eligible for participation in the IPF events, a competitor must have an IPF licence issued by his or her National Federation. The IPF licence will only be issued to competitors who have personally signed the Appendix 2 consent form, in the actual form approved by the IPF Executive. All forms from under-age applicants must be counter-signed by their legal guardians.
The national Federation must guarantee that all athletes registered for a IPF Licence accept the Rules of the IPF, including the IPF Anti-Doping Rules.
It is the responsibility of each National Federation to ensure that all national-level Testing on the National Federation's Athletes complies with the IPF Anti-Doping Rules. In some countries, the National Federation itself will be conducting the Doping Control described in the IPF Anti-Doping Rules. In other countries, many of the Doping Control responsibilities of the National Federation have been delegated or assigned by statute or agreement to a National Anti-Doping Organization. In those countries, references in the IPF Anti-Doping Rules to the National Federation shall apply, as appropriate, to the National Anti-Doping Organisation.
The IPF Anti-Doping Rules shall apply to all Doping Controls over which IPF and its National Federations have jurisdiction.
16 RESTRICTIONS ON TRADING
The President, Board Members, Secretary General, Treasurer, Auditor and all the committee members and their spouses, de-facto partners, siblings, parents and children shall not be permitted to deal in or supply powerlifting equipment.
17 VOLUNTARY DISSOLUTION OF THE ORGANISATION
Dissolution of the IPF shall only be possible by decision of the General Assembly. For this purpose, a written request stating the reasons for such dissolution shall be handed over to the Executive. After discussion of the request, the Executive will then put the request on the agenda of the next General Assembly.
In order for the dissolution to become valid, a three-quarters majority of all votes cast is required.
In the event of such dissolution of the IPF and provided the IPF still holds assets, and having covered any liabilities, the General Assembly shall also decide on whom to transfer the remaining assets. These assets shall, if possible and permitted, be transferred to an organisation having the same or similar interests compared to the IPF, or shall be allocated to good causes.
