Article I – Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that all publishing activities of the International Council for Education, Research and Training (“ICERT”) are conducted in alignment with its educational, and scientific mission, comply with applicable U.S. and Pennsylvania laws, and as required under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Article II – Scope of Publishing Activities

ICERT may publish educational, research, training, and informational materials in print or electronic formats, including but not limited to:

1. Books, monographs, and handbooks.

2. Academic journals, research reports, and white papers.

3. Training manuals, guides, and curricula.

4. Conference proceedings and related publications.

5. Educational multimedia resources.

All publications must be consistent with ICERT’s stated purposes and advance knowledge, education, or research for public benefit.

Article III – ISBN Registration and Management

1. Publisher Registration: ICERT shall maintain an official publisher account with the United States ISBN Agency/ and other countries under its legal name.

2. Publisher Imprint: Publications may be issued under the imprint name “ICERT Press” or such other imprint as approved by the Board of Directors/ Core Committee.

3. ISBN Assignment:

   • Each edition and format of a publication shall be assigned a unique ISBN from ICERT’s registered ISBN block.

   • ISBNs shall not be sold, transferred, or assigned to works not published under ICERT’s authority.

4. ISBN Records: ICERT shall maintain a central ISBN register documenting each number’s assigned title, author(s), publication date, and format.

Article IV – Publishing Oversight

1. The Board of Directors/ Core Committee shall approve all major publishing projects.

2. The Board may delegate operational publishing decisions to the Research, Innovation & Publications Division or any designated publishing committee.

3. Executive Directors or project leads shall ensure that publications:

   • Meet academic and editorial standards.

   • Include a copyright statement in the name of ICERT.

   • Display the correct ISBN and imprint details.

Article V – Printing and Distribution

1. Publications may be printed or manufactured in the United States or abroad, provided that:

   • ICERT remains the legal publisher of record.

   • All ISBN and copyright data correctly identify ICERT as the publisher with its Pennsylvania address.

2. Printing vendors may be contracted domestically or internationally, subject to Board/ Core Committee approval for significant expenditures.

3. Publications may be distributed in physical or digital formats, domestically or internationally, directly by ICERT or through authorized partners.

Article VI – Financial and IRS Compliance

1. Revenues from the sale of publications shall be treated as program service revenue if the content directly advances ICERT’s educational and charitable purposes.

2. Any net earnings from publications shall be reinvested solely to further ICERT’s mission.

3. Publication-related financial transactions shall be recorded in accordance with ICERT’s Financial and Internal Controls Policy and reported in IRS Form 990 as required.

Article VII – Intellectual Property

1. ICERT shall hold the copyright to all works created by or commissioned by the organization, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

2. Authors, contributors, and editors may be granted recognition and, where applicable, limited rights in accordance with ICERT’s copyright and licensing agreements.

3. Open-access and Creative Commons licensing may be used when consistent with ICERT’s mission and approved by the Board.

Article VIII – Review and Amendments

This policy shall be reviewed at least once every three (3) years by the Board of Directors/ Core Committee to ensure compliance with:

• Pennsylvania nonprofit corporate law.

• IRS 501(c)(3) requirements.

• International publishing standards and ethical guidelines.

Amendments shall require Board approval.

Policy Adoption Statement

Adopted by the Board of Directors of the International Council for Education, Research and Training (ICERT) on August 4, 2025, pursuant to the organization’s Bylaws and applicable nonprofit laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

This policy is hereby certified as the official and operative policy of ICERT and shall remain in effect until amended, replaced, or repealed by resolution of the Board of Directors.

Dr Manisha Dattatraya Bhagoji
Secretary General, ICERT