EPF Articles
The EPF Articles of Association were approved by the General Assembly on March 25th, 2026.
The following text is an unofficial English translation for informational purposes.
European Psychoanalytical Federation (EPF)
Non-profit association (ASBL)
Rue Gérard 35, 1040 Etterbeek
RPM Brussels (French-speaking section) number 0629.986.195
hereinafter referred to as the "Association"
TITLE I – Name – Registered office – Purpose – Duration
Article 1 – Form and name
In accordance with the provisions of the Companies and Associations Code, a non-profit association, abbreviated to ASBL, is hereby established, named "Fédération Européenne de Psychanalyse" in French, "European Psychoanalytical Federation" in English and "Europäische Psychoanalytische Föderation" in German, abbreviated to "EPF".
All deeds, invoices, announcements, publications and other documents issued by the Association must mention the name preceded or followed immediately by the words "non-profit association" or the abbreviation "ASBL" written legibly and in full, as well as the address of the Association's registered office and its company number.
Article 2 - Registered office
The registered office of the Association is established in Belgium, in the Brussels-Capital Region.
It may be transferred anywhere else in Belgium by a simple decision of the General Assembly. This transfer shall be published in the Annexes to the Belgian Official Gazette. If the registered office is transferred to another Region, the General Assembly may amend the Articles of Association.
Administrative registered offices may be established in Belgium or abroad by decision of the General Assembly.
Article 3 – Duration
The Association is established for an unlimited duration, unless dissolved early.
Article 4 – Purpose
The Association is a non-profit organisation. It pursues its objectives for the benefit of the general public.
According to Freud’s definition in his 1923 paper “Two Encyclopedia Articles”, psychoanalysis is the name 1) of a procedure for the investigation of unconscious mental processes which are almost inaccessible in any other way, 2) of a method (based upon that investigation) for the treatment of neurotic or non-neurotic disorders and 3) a collection of psychological information obtained along those lines, which is gradually being accumulated into a scientific discipline.
The Association's non-profit purpose is to:
- Foster the growth of psychoanalysis;
- Maintain and improve standards of practice, education, and teaching of psychoanalysis.
In order to achieve its objectives, the Association:
- Promotes research in psychoanalysis and disseminates information on the theory and practice of psychoanalysis;
- Facilitates communication among psychoanalysts through publications, newsletters, scientific conferences, and other meetings;
- Provides a forum for the discussion of related scientific topics and other subjects of interest to psychoanalysts;
- Encourages contact between psychoanalysis and other disciplines.
To achieve its purpose, the Association may carry out any activities directly or indirectly related to its non-profit goal.
It may thus lend its support and take an interest in any activity that is close to its purpose or useful for the achievement thereof; it may own, either in usufruct or in full ownership, any movable or immovable property for this purpose.
TITLE II – Members – Membership fees
Article 5 – Members
The Association is composed of European psychoanalytic Societies, which are members of the International Psychoanalytical Association (hereafter defined under “IPA”), and as defined in Article 6 below.
The number of members is not limited. The minimum number is set at two.
A register of Member Societies is kept at the registered office in accordance with Article 9:3 §1 of the Code of Companies and Associations. The Board of Directors may also decide that the register shall be kept in electronic form.
Article 6
Full membership is open to (i) Component Societies and (ii) Provisional Societies (as these terms are recognised by the IPA) which are members of the IPA (in accordance with the internal regulations applicable to the IPA). Member Societies retain their autonomy with regard to their affairs, scientific research, and training policies and procedures. Membership may be obtained upon acceptance by the General Assembly, which shall decide on such applications without being required to give reasons for its decision.
Admission as a Member Society implies acceptance of and compliance with these articles and, where applicable, the internal regulations applicable within the Association.
Member Societies are not, in this capacity, liable for commitments entered by the Association.
Study Groups of the IPA may request or be invited to participate in the work of the Association ("IPA Study Groups"). IPA Study Groups may participate in all activities of the Association and receive its publications. One representative from each IPA Study Group may attend the General Assembly of the Association (without voting rights).
Article 7 – Resignation or exclusion
Membership shall be lost:
- by resignation: any Member Society is free to withdraw from the Association at any time by sending their resignation in writing to the Board of Directors, subject to six months' notice expiring at the end of the current calendar year. A Member Society which fails to pay their annual membership fee for two consecutive years shall be deemed to have resigned.
- by expulsion: a Member Society may be expelled for failing to comply with these Articles of Association only by a decision of the General Assembly, passed by a two-thirds majority of the voting representatives present. The Member Society concerned must have been invited by registered letter at least three months in advance of the assembly to present any defence. The Member Society that has been expelled may only reapply for membership at least three years after its expulsion.
- A Member Society that loses its IPA membership shall immediately lose its membership of the Association.
In the event of a serious offence, the Board of Directors may suspend the effects of membership until a decision on the exclusion of the concerned Member Society is taken at the next General Assembly.
Article 8
Member Societies that resign, are suspended or expelled may not request reimbursement of membership fees and have no rights to the Association's social fund and financial reserve fund.
They may not request or demand any statement of account, rendering of accounts, affixing of seals or inventories.
Suspension or loss of membership shall have no effect on the contractual obligations of the suspended or dismissed Member Society towards the Association, if these obligations arise from services provided by the Association.
Article 9 – Membership fees and accounts
The association is financed by the membership fees of its Member Societies (either Component Societies or Provisional Societies of the IPA, as indicated under Article 6 of these Articles of Association), as well as by donations and bequests. Member Societies pay an annual membership fee, the amount of which is set annually by the General Assembly and calculated on a per capita basis in relation to the total number of members of that Member Society.
The annual membership fee shall not exceed an amount of EUR 150.
In certain circumstances, a Member Society may be temporarily exempted from all or part of its membership fee or arrears.
The Association's accounts are duly audited once a year. The Treasurer submits the auditor's report and the accounts to the General Assembly for approval no later than six months after the end of the financial year.
The Association does not pay any dividends, gifts or cash bonuses to individuals or groups. Persons belonging to Member Societies of the Association or to an IPA Study Group may not receive remuneration from the Association, but may be reimbursed for expenses incurred in the course of their work for the Association.
Article 10 – Publication
The Bulletin is the official publication of the Association. The Bulletin can be circulated in digital form.
TITLE III - General Assembly
Article 11 – Composition and powers
The General Assembly is composed of the representatives of all Member Societies of the Association (in accordance with Article 6). Only full members have the right to vote and enjoy the full rights that the Companies and Associations Code recognise for Member Societies of the Association.
The General Assembly meets at least twice a year with at least six weeks’ notice of the date of the assembly.
The General Assembly can receive and act on reports and recommendations by the Board of Directors, individual members of the Board of Directors or members of the General Assembly. It will also consider issues presented by individual members or candidates of Member Societies and associated Study groups communicated either through the Board of Directors or through their General Assembly representative.
The admission of Member Societies or IPA Study Groups (as observers) is determined by the General Assembly in accordance with the procedures laid down in the internal regulations of the Association.
The General Assembly is ultimately responsible for the Association's finances. It receives and acts on the reports and recommendations of the Treasurer and sets the amount of the annual membership fee (in accordance with Article 9).
The General Assembly shall have the following powers:
1° - elect and dismiss the Board of Directors (the arrangements for the election are delegated to the Election Committee).
2° - appoint, dismiss and set the remuneration of the auditor(s).
3° - approve or reject the accounts and budgets annually, discharge the Board members and auditor(s), and, where applicable, bring legal action against the Board members and auditor(s).
4° - amend the Association's Articles of Association in accordance with the relevant legislation.
5° - to declare the dissolution of the Association.
6° - exclude a member.
7° - transform the Association into an international non-profit association, a cooperative society approved as a social enterprise and an approved social enterprise cooperative society.
8° - make or accept a contribution in kind free of charge.
9° - exercise all powers conferred upon it by law or by the Articles of Association.
10° - approve transfer of registered office.
11° - decide on application for membership of the association.
12° - decide on the amount of the annual membership fee.
13° - adoption of internal regulations.
14° - approve members of the committees described in accordance with Article 21.
Article 12 – Quorum and majority
Except in cases where the law or these Articles of Association provide otherwise, the General Assembly shall be validly constituted if fifty percent of the Member Societies are present or represented at the meeting of the General Assembly. Decisions shall be taken by a simple majority of votes by a show of hands or by secret ballot when required.
In the event of a tie, the president of the General Assembly shall have the casting vote.
Amendments to the Articles of Association and internal regulations can be proposed by the Board of Directors, or by two members of the General Assembly or by ten members of Member Societies. The General Assembly may only validly deliberate and decide on amendments to the Articles of Association if the proposed amendments are specified in a notice of meeting at least six months in advance of the date of the assembly and if at least three quarters of the Member Societies are present or represented at the assembly.
If this latter condition is not met, a second notice of meeting shall be required and the new assembly shall validly deliberate and decide, regardless of the number of Member Societies represented. The second assembly may not be held within fifteen days of the first assembly.
No amendment to the Articles of association shall be permitted unless it has obtained three quarters of the votes cast, without taking into account abstentions in the numerator or denominator.
However, amendments relating to the purpose or non-profit-making nature of the association may only be adopted by a four-fifths majority of the votes of the Member Societies present or represented, without taking abstentions into account in the numerator or denominator.
When the General Assembly deliberates on the basis of a report prepared by the auditor, the latter shall take part at the General Assembly.
Article 13 – Conduct and convening
The General Assembly shall be chaired by the President of the Board of Directors or, failing that, by one of the two Vice-Presidents, or failing that, by the oldest of the directors present.
All Member Societies, Directors and any auditor shall be convened to the General Assembly if they have given their prior consent, by email, at least six weeks before the meeting of the General Assembly. The agenda shall be attached to the notice of meeting. Any proposal signed by at least one-twentieth of the Member Societies shall be included on the agenda. A copy of the documents that must be sent to the General Assembly in accordance with this code shall be sent without delay and free of charge to Member Societies, Board members and the auditor(s) who request it.
The Board of Directors may convene an extraordinary General Assembly at any time; it is required to do so if requested by one-fifth of the Member Societies.
The auditor may, where applicable, convene the General Assembly. He must convene it when requested to do so by one-fifth of the Member Societies of the Association.
Article 14 – Deliberations
Each full Member Society has one vote at the General Assembly.
Each Member Society may be represented at the General Assembly by the representative of another Member Society by means of a written proxy. A representative of a Member Society may only act as a proxy for one other Member Society.
The Board of Directors may, in accordance with the rules laid down by the Companies and Associations Code, provide for the possibility for the representatives of Member Societies to participate remotely in the General Assembly by means of electronic communication made available by the Association. With regard to compliance with quorum and majority requirements, members participating in this manner in the General Assembly shall be deemed to be present at the place where the General Assembly is held.
Article 15 – Minutes
The minutes of the General Assembly shall be recorded in a register and signed by the President of the Assembly and a member of the Board of Directors.
The register of minutes shall be kept at the association's registered office, where all interested parties may consult it without removing the registers.
If the interested parties are not Member Societies but can prove their legitimate interest, this communication is subject to the written authorisation of the President of the Board of Directors.
Copies or extracts of these minutes shall be signed by the President or by two members of the Board of Directors.
Article 16 - Internal regulations
Internal regulations may be drafted and presented by the Board of Directors to the General Assembly for approval. Amendments to these rules may be adopted by a General Assembly by a simple majority of the Member Societies present or represented. In this case, each member may obtain a copy of the internal regulations free of charge by sending a request to the secretary of the Board of Directors.
TITLE IV – Governance – Board of Directors
Article 17 – Governance of the Association
The Association is governed by a Board of Directors, composed of as a minimum:
- A President
- Two Vice-Presidents
- A General Secretary
- A Treasurer
- A General Editor
No person shall hold more than one position on the Board of Directors at the same time. A president of a Member Society may not serve on the Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors has the power to perform all acts necessary or useful for the achievement of the Association's corporate purpose, with the exception of those reserved by law for the General Assembly of Member Societies.
The Board of Directors also represents the Association in relation to the IPA and/or other organisations. This does not interfere with the direct relationship between Member Societies and the IPA.
The members of the Board of Directors are elected by the General Assembly for a period of four years. No member of the Board of Directors may be re-elected until a period of four years has elapsed following the end of their term of office. This restriction does not apply to members of the Board of Directors who, after having previously held another office, are elected as President of the association.
If no outgoing member wishes to stand for President, the General Assembly may re-elect one outgoing member, except the President, for continuity.
If a legal entity is appointed as a Board of Directors member, it is required to designate, from among its members or directors, a permanent representative, who is a natural person, to sit on the Board of Directors on behalf of the legal entity.
Unless otherwise decided by the General Assembly, the mandate is not remunerated.
Board of Directors members shall not incur any personal liability in connection with their duties and shall be liable only for the performance of their mandate.
Article 18 – Co-opting
In the event that one of the members of the Board of Directors ceases to perform their duties during a financial year, the Board may appoint a replacement. In this case, the appointment shall be provisional and subject to confirmation by the next General Assembly; the co-opted Board member thus confirmed shall complete the term of office of their predecessor. In the absence of confirmation, the term of office of the co-opted Board member ends at the close of the General Assembly, without prejudice to the regularity of the composition of the administrative body until that time.
Article 19 – Board of Directors meetings
The Board of Directors shall meet whenever the interests of the Association so require.
The President shall convene and chair the Board; if unable to do so, the meeting shall be chaired by one of the two Vice Presidents or failing that, by the oldest Board member present.
The Board of Directors may also meet at the request of at least two Board members.
The Board may only validly deliberate if at least half of its members are present or represented.
A Board member who is unable to attend or is absent may be represented by another Board member. However, no delegate may represent more than one Board member.
All decisions of the Board shall be taken by a simple majority of those voting. In the event of a tie, unless there are only two Board members, the chair of the meeting shall have the casting vote.
In addition, Board of Directors members may also attend the meeting remotely by any means of communication that allows them to participate in the discussions and vote. A Board member attending remotely is deemed to be present at the meeting venue.
Decisions may be taken by unanimous consent of all Board of Directors members expressed in writing.
Minutes shall be kept of each meeting, which shall be transcribed in a register and signed by the President and any Board members who wish to do so; copies to be issued to third parties shall be signed by one or more Board members who have the power to represent the Association.
Article 20 – Powers of the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors has the broadest powers with regard to the governance and management of the Association.
It is competent for all matters, except those explicitly reserved for the General Assembly by law and the Articles of Association.
It is required to submit the accounts for the previous financial year and the budget for the next financial year to the General Assembly for approval each year.
The Board of Directors will draft internal regulations which will then have to be adopted by the General Assembly.
It has residual powers with regard to the General Assembly, subject to the latter's confirmation of any urgent or exceptional measures it has been required to take.
The Board of Directors may, in particular, and without this list being exhaustive: make and receive all payments and demand or give receipts for them, make and receive all deposits, acquire, exchange or dispose of all movable and immovable property, and take or grant leases, even for more than nine years; accept and receive all private and official subsidies and grants; accept and receive all bequests and donations; consent to and conclude all contracts for works and sales, contract all loans with or without security, consent to and accept all subrogations and sureties; mortgage the association's immovable property, contract and make all loans and advances, waive all contractual or real rights and all real or personal guarantees; release, before or after payment, all privileged or mortgage registrations, transcriptions, seizures or other impediments; to plead both as plaintiff and defendant before all courts, and to enforce all judgments, settle and compromise.
Article 21 – Committees
The Board of Directors may delegate special powers to committees, in particular the House Committee and the Election Committee. The mandate, procedures, composition and appointment of these committees are set out in the internal regulations. The members of the House Committee and Election Committee are elected by the Board of Directors upon proposal of the General Assembly.
The Board of Directors may also delegate special powers to ad hoc committees. In this context, the Board of Directors will make proposals in relation to ad hoc committees to be approved by the General Assembly. Once approved by the General Assembly, the Board of Directors shall implement these committees and may delegate specific powers to them. The mandate, procedures, composition and appointment of such ad hoc committees are likewise defined in the internal regulations.
The members of these committees, whether the House Committee or the Election Committee or any ad hoc committee, are accountable to the Board of Directors.
Article 22- Day-to-day management
The Board of Directors may entrust one or more persons, whether or not they are members of the Board of Directors, with the day-to-day management and representation of the Association in relation to such day-to-day management. The Board of Directors establishes a policy of delegation of financial authority relating to all committees. The Board entrusts the day-to-day management to the House Committee and determines whether its members may act individually, jointly, or collectively.
Day-to-day management includes both acts and decisions that do not exceed the daily needs of the Association and acts and decisions which, either because of their minor importance or because of their urgent nature, do not justify the intervention of the Board of directors. Any restriction on the power of representation granted to the person responsible for day-to-day management is not enforceable against third parties, even if it is published.
The identity of the delegate(s) responsible for day-to-day management shall be filed with the registry of the commercial court and published in the Annexes to the Belgian Official Gazette.
The Board may also confer, under its responsibility, special and specific powers on one or more persons.
Article 23- Representation
All acts binding on the association shall be signed by the President acting alone or by two Board of Directors members acting jointly, who shall not be required to justify to third parties any prior deliberation by the Board of Directors.
Day-to-day management acts shall be signed by the person or persons designated for this purpose by the Board, with each delegate to day-to-day management being able to act alone.
The Association may also be represented by any person within the strict limits of the special and specific powers for which they have been authorised by the Board, in accordance with Article 23.
TITLE V – Financial year – Accounts
Article 24 – Financial year
The financial year shall begin on 1 January of each year and end on 31 December of the same year.
The accounts for the past financial year and the budgets for the following financial year shall be submitted to the General Assembly each year. After the Board of Directors has taken into account its policy for the previous year, the General Assembly shall decide on the discharge of the members of the Board of Directors. This discharge shall be given by a separate vote and shall only be valid if the actual situation of the association is not concealed by any omission or inaccuracy in the annual accounts.
The annual accounts shall be filed with the registry of the commercial court within thirty days of their approval by the General Assembly. Where applicable, the annual accounts shall also be filed with the National Bank of Belgium, in accordance with the Companies and Associations Code.
TITLE VI - Reserve fund
Article 25 – Reserve fund
A reserve fund may be established. Its purpose is to enable the Association to cover itself against the risks it incurs in the course of its mission.
Any surplus of income over expenditure of the Association shall be paid into the reserve fund.
TITLE VII - Dissolution – Winding-up
Article 26 – Dissolution
The dissolution and winding-up of the Association shall be decided by the General Assembly in accordance with the provisions of these Articles of Association.
The General Assembly shall at the same time determine the method of winding-up, appoint the liquidator(s), determine their powers and, where applicable, their emoluments.
Provided that all Member Societies represented at the General Assembly unanimously agree and that all debts to third parties have been repaid or the sums necessary for their repayment have been deposited with the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations, dissolution and closure of the winding-up may be carried out in a single act.
Article 27 – Winding-up
In the event of dissolution, after the winding-up operations have been completed and, where applicable, any debts to third parties have been paid into the Caisse des dépôts et consignations, the surplus of the Association's assets shall be allocated to a charitable cause as close as possible to the purpose of the Association's, in accordance with the terms and conditions to be determined by the General Assembly.
Member Societies and Board of Directors members shall have no rights to the Association's assets or the balance of the liquidation.
TITLE VIII - Miscellaneous provisions
Article 28– Governing law
Any matters not explicitly provided for in these Articles of Association shall be governed by the Companies and Associations Code and any law governing non-profit associations.
Article 29 – Election of Domicile
For the execution of these Articles of Association, any member, director, auditor or liquidator residing abroad shall elect domicile at the registered office, where all communications, notices, summonses and service of process may be validly made to them, unless they have elected another domicile in Belgium vis-à-vis the Association.
Article 30 – Competence
For any dispute between the Association and its members, directors, auditors or liquidators relating to the affairs of the Association and the performance of these bylaws, exclusive jurisdiction is conferred upon the courts of the district of the registered office, unless the Association expressly waives this right.