Resources - Operations
Running a zoo or aquarium for ex situ conservation is a complex interaction of scientific principle, ethics and culture. A shared set of standards and documents helps our Members to work together to ensure constantly improving animal welfare, education, research and conservation across Europe and report our progress objectively to our visitors.
Operational documents
The documents in this section set out how EAZA functions as an organisation and how EAZA Members are expected to carry out activities that fall under EAZA's remit. Any zoo or aquarium considering applying for membership of EAZA should study these documents carefully before submitting their application. Please note that the documents presented here are revised from time to time.
Governing documents
These are the core documents that govern and direct the functioning of EAZA as an organisation and the activities of its Members.
- Constitution of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (2018)
- EAZA Code of Ethics and Conduct (2023)
- EAZA Code of Behaviour for Events and Activities (2023)
- EAZA Population Management Manual (2024)
- EAZA Membership and Accreditation Manual (2024)
- Sanctions in the case of a violation of the EAZA Code of Ethics, EAZA Standards or EEP procedures (2022)
- European Union Zoos Directive (1999)
The EAZA Code of Ethics and Conduct also requires Members to observe a few documents from the International Union for Conservation of Nature and World Association of Zoos and Aquariums. You can find these documents here.
Standards
Like the documents in the previous section, EAZA Members are obliged to comply with the provisions set out in the Standards listed below.
- EAZA Standards for Welfare, Accommodation and Management of Animals in Zoos and Aquariums (2024)
- EAZA Research Standards (2022) - should be read in conjunction with the Research Strategy (available below)
- EAZA Field Conservation Standards (2022)
- Hungarian translation
- Polish translation
- EAZA Conservation Education Standards (2023)
EAZA Guidelines
Members are strongly encouraged to follow the EAZA Guidelines that represent Council advice, approved by Council, on specific issues.
- EAZA Communications Guidelines (2023)
- EAZA Guidelines to Managing Operations to Reduce your Environmental Footprint (2023)
- EAZA Guidelines on Meat and Soya (2022)
- EAZA Guidelines on Timber (2022)
- EAZA Guidelines on Palm Oil (2019)
- Background information on imported deforestation and sustainable agriculture to aid implementation of the above three Guidelines
- NEW! Supporting infographics: Meat and Soya, Timber, Palm Oil
- EAZA Guidelines for ethical and environmental policies for suppliers and contractors (2017)
- EAZA Guidelines on the definition of a direct contribution to conservation (2015)
- Polish translation
- EAZA Guidelines on the use of animals in public demonstrations (2018) (These Guidelines have now been incorporated into the EAZA Standards on the Accommodation and Care of Animals in Zoos and Aquariums)
Strategies
EAZA regularly develops strategic plans to guide the activities of the organisation for a set period. These strategy documents are published externally where it is judged that there will be a benefit in doing so.
2021-2025
EAZA Strategic Plan - Summary
We translate the vision and mission into a strategic plan that defines the priorities for EAZA as an organisation, for our Committees and for the whole membership. From 2021 to 2025, our ambitious strategic plan focuses on fostering excellence in animal care, conservation efforts, policy influence, scientific contributions, and environmental stewardship.
Position statements
From time to time EAZA publishes position statements setting out the organisation's current position on a key issue and what we would like to see happen in the future. Some of these concern issues that directly affect zoos and aquariums and their functioning, whereas others pertain to wider issues of interest to EAZA members, with particular regard to the mission areas of conservation, education and research.
- EAZA Position Statement the Use of Cryopreserved Materials and Biotechnology (October 2024)
- EAZA/EAZWV Position Statement: Access to and use of vaccination against Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in zoo birds in the European Union (September 2023)
- EAZA Position Statement on the protection of feed animals, with focus on day-old chicks (August 2023)
- EAZA/EAZWV Position Statement on the application of the Veterinary Medicines Cascade in relation to zoological species (April 2023)
- EAZA Management Euthanasia/Culling Statement (April 2023)
- EAZA Elephant TAG Position Statement on the Reintroduction of Elephants from Zoos (July 2021)
- EAZA Response to the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 (June 2020); Hungarian version – magyar változat; Romanian version – versiunea romaneasca
- EAZA Elephant Taxon Advisory Group Position Statement on management systems (July 2019)
- EAZA Position Statement on the European commercial trade in tigers and tiger parts (November 2018); Czech translation
- EAZA Position Statement on songbird trafficking (April 2018)
- EAZA Position Statement on the EU Regulation on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species (1143/2014) (September 2017)
- EAZA Position Statement on Circus Membership of the Association (April 2017)
- EAZA Position Statement on the EU Zoos Directive 1999/22/EC (March 2017)
- EAZA Position Statement on Bears in Commercial Entertainment (2012)
- Council Regulation 1/2005: Protection of Animals during Transport (December 2010)
- Proposed Regulation on Food Information to Consumers (Revised November 2010)
- Developing EU Strategy for Invasive Alien Species (September 2010)
- Animal Health Strategy for the European Union (August 2009)
Other documents
- EAZA Social Media Toolkit: Tell the world about your work at an EAZA Member (2020)
- EAZA Information Sheet on Animal Management during the Coronavirus crisis (2020)
- EAZA contribution to the Birds and Habitats Directives fitness check (2014-2016)
- EAZA contribution to the Consultation on the EU approach against Wildlife Trafficking (April 2014)
- European Code of Conduct on Zoological Gardens and Aquaria and Invasive Alien Species (October 2012); French translation; Polish translation
Membership & Accreditation resources
Find here all the documentation related to applying for membership and accreditation, from the applicant and the screener perspectives.