ESC Media and Embargo Policy for Industry Partners

Last updated: 13.3.2026

Table of Contents

1. Purpose
2. Scope
3. Communications rules
   1. Press Materials and Media Outreach
   2. Media Events During ESC Events
   3. Social Media Conduct
4. Early Disclosure Rules for Publicly Traded Companies
5. Use of ESC Trademark
6. Access During ESC Events
7. Industry Filming Rights during ESC events
8. Sanctions
9. Contact
10. Applicable law

1. Purpose

The purpose of this Policy is to establish a clear, comprehensive, and enforceable framework governing all media-related activities conducted by Industry Partners in connection with European Society of Cardiology (ESC) events, aiming at protecting the scientific integrity, independence, and credibility of ESC scientific content.

2. Scope

For the purposes of this Policy, Industry Partners refers to any commercial, for-profit, or private-sector entity, including but not limited to pharmaceutical, medical device, biotechnology, diagnostics, digital health, data, or healthcare services companies, as well as their affiliates, agencies, contractors, and representatives, that:
• sponsor, support, or exhibit at ESC Congresses or ESC-endorsed events;
• collaborate with the ESC on scientific, educational, or communication activities; and/or
• publish, disseminate, or reference ESC-endorsed research, scientific content, guidelines, abstracts, or events in external media or public communications.

For the avoidance of doubt, Industry Partners include corporate communications, public affairs, investor relations, and media agencies acting on behalf of such entities. Individual healthcare professionals, academic institutions, patient organisations, and accredited journalists are not considered Industry Partners under this Policy.

3. Communications rules

Embargo compliance
An Embargo refers to a binding restriction imposed by the ESC on the timing of public disclosure, publication, or dissemination of specified scientific, clinical, or programme-related information.

• Industry partners must strictly adhere to ESC embargo dates and times for all embargoed content.
• Embargoed content may not be shared with media, analysts, or the public before the official release.

3.1 Press Materials and Media Outreach

Industry press materials referencing ESC events must be submitted to the ESC Press Office at least seven working days before intended distribution.

Materials must:
• Clearly distinguish ESC-authored content from industry commentary
• Avoid promotional or speculative language
• Accurately cite ESC sessions, abstracts, or guidelines
• Include embargo times and disclaimers where applicable

3.2. Media Events During ESC Events

• All media events (e.g. press briefings, satellite media tours, receptions) must be coordinated with the ESC Press Office.
• Media Events coordinated by Industry Partners must not conflict with official ESC press activities.
• Embargoed content may not be included unless explicitly authorised.
• Media Events coordinated by Industry Partners must be clearly branded as industry-led and must not imply ESC endorsement.

3.3. Social Media Conduct during ESC Events

Industry Partners' Social media posts must:

• Avoid promotional claims or speculative commentary about scientific results.
• Not imply ESC endorsement of any product, service, or organisation.

4. Early Disclosure Rules

In exceptional cases, publicly traded companies may request permission to disclose limited information prior to the embargo lift, typically to comply with financial regulations.

To facilitate compliance with EU and US regulations (including the European Union's Market Abuse Regulation (MAR) and the U.S. SEC Regulation Fair Disclosure), early disclosure can be permitted provided that:

• It is strictly limited to information already in the public domain about the study design
• It only includes qualitative statements about the primary endpoint's outcome (e.g. confirmation that the primary endpoint was met);
• Quantitative results, detailed data analyses, subgroup findings, scientific/clinical commentary, or investigator quotes are not allowed and constitute a breach of policy
• Information that the abstract has been submitted or accepted for presentation at the specified ESC Congress or event (identifying the event name, date, and location, if known)

Requests must be made to the ESC Press Office 7 days in advance and must include:

• A draft of the disclosure / press release.
• A letter with legal justification for early disclosure written and signed by legal counsel.
• Details about recipients (authorities, media outlets), and timing of the proposed release .

The ESC reserves the right to modify or withdraw the presentation if the above requirements are not met and any unauthorised early disclosure is deemed to compromise the novelty of the research to be presented at an ESC event.

5. Use of the ESC trademark

• The use of ESC trademark is prohibited, unless expressly authorised by the ESC.

6. Access During ESC Events

• Industry partners' representatives do not qualify for press registration.
• Media access is reserved for credentialed journalists.
• Industry partners' communications teams may attend public sessions but do not have access to the ESC Press Centre.

7. Industry Partner Filming Rights during ESC events

All professional-grade equipment must obtain a camera tag at registration. To protect intellectual property and individual privacy, the ESC prohibits unauthorised photography, recording, and screenshots during its events.

Industry Partner representatives may:

• Record or photograph only their own industry-sponsored sessions, meetings, or exhibition stands
• Not capture any other content, including other exhibitors' activities or scientific presentations

Violations will result in immediate expulsion from the ESC event and may trigger further sanctions as detailed below.

8. Sanctions

Any breach of this policy may result in immediate termination of participation rights at ESC events, legal action or claims for damages, and public disclosure of the embargo violation. Additional consequences may include removal from the scientific programme, withdrawal of submitted abstracts, loss of accrued exhibition points (as outlined in the ESC Exhibition Guidelines), and any other measures deemed necessary to protect the ESC's rights and reputation.

9. Contact

For all media-related inquiries, embargo exceptions, or press material approvals, please contact: ESC Press Office

To protect the privacy of our media community and in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the ESC does not share information about accredited members of the media under any circumstances.

10. Applicable Law

All matters arising from or connected with compliance to this policy are governed by French Law, without reference to the conflict of laws principles. Any dispute shall be brought before the Court of Grasse, France.