Bylaws of the
International Powerlifting Federation
Bylaws and Constitution also available in
format and
file.
Bylaws of the
International Powerlifting Federation
Bylaws and Constitution also available in
format and
file.
Unless specifically stated otherwise, the terms "Congress", "President" "Technical Committee" and such like shall mean the "IPF Congress", "IPF President", "IPF Technical Committee" etc.
Unless specifically stated otherwise, the terms "him", "his"
and "Chairman" shall refer to persons of either sex.
The Congress may be open provided that space is available.
The President may invite outside persons to attend the Congress.
The Congress shall, if necessary, address itself to re-examining the Constitution, By-Laws and their appendices every fourth year commencing in 1998.
The Congress shall, if necessary, address itself to re examining the Technical Rules every fourth year commencing in 2006.
The Congress shall serve and maintain a membership in the General Assembly of International Sports Federations and take part in the World Games.
The Congress, in the absence of bids from a national federation, may award World Championships to an individual or a commercial entity.
All Committee Chairmen and non-executive officers by virtue of their attaining officer status in the IPF are allowed admission to the Congress in its entirety but without vote and with voice only as pertains to their respective responsibilities.
Candidates for IPF office shall be permitted to address the Congress for a maximum period of five minutes.
The duties of various officers are those duties appointed by the Congress and include:
All IPF EC officers, by virtue of their attaining officer’s status in the IPF, are allowed admission to the Congress in its entirety with vote and with voice.
The duties of various officers are those duties appointed by the Congress and include:
All IPF EC officers, by virtue of their attaining officer’s status in the IPF, are allowed admission to the Congress in its entirety with vote and with voice.
101.9.1.1 He orders meetings of the IPF as provided in the Constitution and presides at all meetings of the IPF and Congress
101.9.1.2 He has the right to exercise all the duties pertaining to his office in accordance with the Constitution.
101.9.1.3 He is an ex officio member of all committees.
101.9.1.4 The President provides leadership in the long-term and day-to-day activities of the IPF, delegating responsibility for completion of tasks, and making necessary contact with outside agencies to conduct IPF business
101.9.2.1 He has such duties as assigned to him by the President and has all the power to perform the duties of the President in the absence or inability of the latter to attend.
101.9.3.1 To make proper arrangements for keeping the records of the IPF and the Congress.
101.9.3.2 Issue all official notices of all IPF meetings.
101.9.3.2 Keep a complete record of competitions held under the auspices of the IPF. These records shall include the results of national championships, newsletters and magazines.
101.9.3.3 To serve as Secretary of the Congress and at any special meetings or hearings of the IPF.
101.9.3.4 To certify as a "Provisional Member" any applying nation who submits the proper fees and credentials, until such time as the Congress shall deliberate such membership.
101.9.3.5 Delegate any of the aforementioned duties to an "assistant secretary" appointed by the Executive or to such assistants as may be provided by the IPF By-Laws to perform it.
101.9.3.6 All television rights for international competition shall be the sole property of the IPF, less any fee negotiated with the promoting national federation. At world championships, the IPF will receive 40%; the promoting national federation 30% and all the participating national federations will share the remaining 30% of the television revenue. This distribution of monies will only apply when the IPF obtains the contract and represents the profit after any costs of providing the signal for the broadcast are deducted. In the event of the IPF not having obtained a signed contract with a TV company at least twelve months before the date of the championships, then the IPF will waive its rights in favour of the promoter and receive an agreed percentage of the TV and sponsorship monies. This percentage will not exceed 25% of said monies.
Promoters of world championships should be aware that when they apply for a sanction to promote the championships, the IPF does not guarantee that it will be able to obtain a TV contract for the event.
101.9.4.1 Receive all monies due to the IPF and deposit it to accounts in the name of the IPF.
101.9.4.2 Sign all cheques, notes and drafts together with one other signature as provided by the IPF By-Laws by a sum greater than Euro 2.500.
101.9.4.3 Pay all bills approved by the duly authorised officer or by the Congress provided it is within the authorised current budget of the IPF.
101.9.4.4 When requested, hand over to the Auditor for audit or other purposes, all monies, accounts, books, papers, vouchers and records pertaining to his office.
101.9.4.5 To present an audited balance sheet to the annual Congress. Audit of IPF accounts is to be made by the Auditor.
101.9.4.6 To be responsible for collecting all fees due the IPF.
101.9.4.7 To be responsible for issuing an invoice and collecting any penalties.
101.9.5.1 They shall take an active part in the IPF Executive work and carry out such duty as assigned to them by the President.
101.9.5.2 To represent the IPF in his region at national and international championships and meetings.
101.9.5.3 To supervise and lead the regional federation and organise yearly regional Congresses and championships.
101.9.5.4 To contact and inform potential new member nations in his region.
101.9.5.5 To serve as a consultant to the member federations within that region.
101.9.5.6 To represent his region at the IPF Executive Meetings and the Congress.
101.9.5.7 To make suggestions to the various IPF Committees.
101.9.5.8 To plan and control development programs within his region.
Duties of the non-executive officers are those duties mandated by the Executive including.
101.10.1.1 Shall audit the balance sheet and books of the Treasurer prior to the Congress.
101.10.1.2 Monitor the expenditure of the IPF in regard to the budget.
101.10.2.1 Shall promote the IPF through the electronic and print media. The President must approve in writing all promotional material and press releases.
101.10.2.2 Shall consider all opportunities for television rights for international championships and make appropriate recommendations to the Executive.
101.10.3.1 Shall publish the official IPF newsletter or magazine on a bi-monthly basis. If necessary additional issues should be published on an 'as required' basis.
101.10.3.2 Shall set advertising rates (which must be ratified by the Executive) for the IPF Newsletter/magazine and shall work with the Media Officer to obtain paid advertising for the publication and to increase its circulation.
101.10.3.3 Maintain a current distribution list for the IPF publication. This list shall compromise all entries in the IPF directory as well as additional parties to whom the IPF publication is distributed.
101.10.4.1 Shall certify all World records and maintain an up to date register of all records in all categories. World records can only be confirmed if IPF drug testing requirements for the acceptance of World records have been complied with. Pending the confirmation of a negative drug test by the analysing laboratory records shall be shown on the register as being "pending" for a period of not more than three months from the date of the performance. If the record is not confirmed within this period it shall be erased from the register.
101.10.5.1 Shall maintain a Calendar of Events covering all major events for a period of not less than 24 months from the date of the Calendar.
In normal circumstances, all world and regional championships shall be allocated dates within the calendar that fall at approximately the same time each year. This principle shall be adhered to wherever possible. Regions are to allocate similar annual dates for their own regional events and may combine regional with world championships if they are hosts for the world event.
The major events in the IPF calendar are as follows:
101.10.5.1.1 World Championships for Sub-Juniors and Juniors (Men and Women), Men and Women (Open) and Masters (Men and Women).
101.10.5.1.2 World Cup
101.10.5.1.3 World Games.
101.10.5.1.4 Other international events as approved.
The Championship Secretary shall ensure that major international events do not clash. If necessary, sanction may be refused in order to achieve an orderly calendar.
101.10.5.2 Shall distribute to affiliate federations the invitation and details of major events at least six months prior to the event. He shall also distribute team nomination forms and other necessary documents to affiliated federations.
The invitation will be based upon the answers to a standard questionnaire sent to the host national federation and/or promoters of the championship when a bid is accepted. Closing date for an organizer of World Championships to provide all details in the invitation is 6 to 8 months prior to the contest date. If special hotel and transport booking forms are required, a draft copy of these forms shall also be sent to the Championship Secretary in order that they may be distributed with the invitation. Nomination forms for world championships must provide columns for the following information.
101.10.5.2.1 Lifter's family name.
101.10.5.2.2 Lifter's first name in full.
101.10.5.2.3 Lifter's best total performed within the preceding twelve months at national or international level.
101.10.5.2.4 Lifter's year of birth.
101.10.5.2.5. Lifter's passport number.
101.10.5.3 Shall collate all team nomination forms and ensure that they are fully and properly completed. He shall then prepare a full list of lifters nominated for the event. A copy of this shall be sent to the Internet Officer, the Newsletter Editor, the Media Officer, the General Secretary and the President.
101.10.5.4 Prepare or obtain from the responsible event official, the full results of the event and distribute this to the persons specified in the preceding section. Pending the final drug testing results championships results shall be published as "Provisional Pending Final Drug Test Results."
101.10.5.5 Before a sanction for a major event is granted he must ensure that the applicant has the capacity for successfully promoting the event and the ability to comply with all the requirements of the IPF.
101.10.6.1 Maintains the IPF Internet site.
101.10.6.2 The Directory
101.10.6.3 Constitution and By-Laws
101.10.6.4 Drug testing Protocol
101.10.6.5 Technical Rules and the "Rule Interpretation "appendix
101.10.6.6 World Records
101.10.6.7 Calendar of Events
101.10.6.8 Invitations and details on forthcoming events
101.10.6.9 Results of major events
101.10.6.10 Drug testing results
101.10.6.11 Authorised material from the President or Executive
101.10.6.12 Other than replies to routine enquiries he shall not post any other material without the written consent of the President.
101.10.7.1 Maintains a complete register of all referees registered by their respective affiliated national federations.
101.10.7.2 Administers examinations for Category one and Category two international referee status.
101.10.7.3 Provides each national federation with a current list of accredited referees. Updated annually.
101.10.7.4 Provides each national federation with a list of referees who need to re-register in order to remain accredited.
Each committee shall consist of a chairman elected by the Congress 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.
101.10.8.2.1 The Technical Committee shall be entrusted with the examination of all requirements and proposals of a technical nature submitted to the IPF by affiliated federations. Proposals for Rules Congress shall be sent to the Chairman of the Technical Committee. The Committee will study the proposals and the Chairman will be responsible for producing a final list of acceptable rule proposals for presentation to the Congress. The Committee shall within thirty (30) days following the Congress, present to the Executive Committee for approval, any necessary clarifications (rewording) and corrections to the technical rules required by reason of Congress decisions.
101.10.8.2.2 The decisions of the Technical Committee are subject to approval of Congress.
101.10.8.2.3 Appoints the chief and side referees for world championships.
101.10.8.2.4 Trains and instructs referees who wish to take international qualifications and examines those who are recommended for examination. The Committee shall inform the Congress of the names of referees qualified to officiate at international championships and those who need to be re-examined.
101.10.8.2.5 Organises courses for referees before important competitions such as the world championships. The expense of organising courses or clinics shall be borne by the host national federation. The Committee can propose that Congress withdraw a referee's international card and terminate his appointment if it deems such action necessary.
101.10.8.2.6 The Committee may, subject to the approval of the Executive Committee, publish material of a technical nature, which deals with methods of training and performance of the power lifts. Such material shall be sent to all affiliated federations.
101.10.8.2.7 Establish procedures for training of officials in the conduct of contests and prepare job briefs for the use of officials appointed to specific duties during a contest.
101.10.8.2.8 Establish a code of ethics and good behaviour for the use of all officials. Infringements of the code may be referred to the Executive Committee for appropriate action.
101.10.8.2.9 Ensure that the equipment used by member nations and at world and regional championships conforms to the specific detailed requirements of the IPF.
101.10.8.2.10 The Technical Committee may submit one A4 sheet of proposed rule changes per annum for approval by the Executive Committee to be included in the Congress agenda.
101.10.8.3.1 Consists out of the Chair (female) elected by Congress and a sufficient number of members appointed by the Chair respectively the women’s representatives of the regions.
101.10.8.3.2 Shall work to promote female powerlifting and recruit Women into governing bodies in powerlifting.
101.10.8.3.3 The Chair of the Women’s Committee is not the member of the Executive, but may be invited at the EC meetings where she has a right to speak but no vote when the question is of matters applying to the activity of the Committee and/or concerning the proposals for any rule changes the Committee would like to be made.
101.10.8.4.1 The Athletes’ Commission is composed of six Members of different nationality (preferably athletes from the six regions) - three male and three female. One of them is speaker elected by the Members of the Commission. To be eligible an athlete must be internationally ranked in the last two seasons before the elections.
101.10.8.4.2 The Athletes’ Commission represents the interests of the athletes. It has the right to bring the points of view of the athletes and proposals to the Congress, the Executive Committee and the Committees, in particular to the Technical, the Medical Committees and the Coach Commission. A representative is entitled to take part at the meetings of the Congress. It reports to the Executive Committee and the Congress.
101.10.8.4.3 The duties of the Athletes’ Commission are:
101.10.8.4.3.1 To represent the athletes in the decision making bodies of the IPF;
101.10.8.4.3.2 To act as mediator between active athletes and the IPF Organisms;
101.10.8.4.3.3 To represent the athletes in the meetings of the Technical Committee and in the Medical
Committee if invited by the Chair;
101.10.8.4.3.4 To form the official opinion of the athletes concerning actual issues and to pass resolutions of the athletes;
101.10.8.4.3.5 To work for the athletes’ representation in the National Federations;
101.10.8.4.3.6 To represent the athletes during the IPF competitions as a spokesman / spokeswoman.
101.10.8.4.4 All proposals by the Athletes’ Commission must be decided by the IPF Congress. The proposals must be in connection with the duties of the Commission.
101.10.8.5.1 The Coach Commission is composed of a seven Members of different nationality (preferably coaches from the six regions). One of them is speaker elected by the Members of the Commission. To be eligible a coach must be internationally active in the last two seasons before the elections.
101.10.8.5.2 The Coach Commission represents the interests of the coaches. It has the right to bring the points of view of the coaches and proposals to the Congress, the Executive Committee and the Committees, in particular to the Technical, the Medical Committees and the Athletes’ Commission. A representative is entitled to take part at the meetings of the Congress. It reports to the Executive Committee and the Congress.
101.10.8.5.3 The duties of the Coach Commission are:
101.10.8.5.3.1 To represent the coaches in the decision making bodies of the IPF;
101.10.8.5.3.2 To act as mediator between coaches and the IPF Organisms;
101.10.8.5.3.3 To represent the coaches in the meetings of the Technical Committee and in the Medical
Committee if invited by the Chair;
101.10.8.5.3.4 To form the official opinion of the coaches concerning actual issues and to pass resolutions of the coaches;
101.10.8.5.3.5 To work for the coaches’ representation in the National Federations;
101.10.8.5.4 All proposals by the Coach Commission must be decided by the IPF Congress. The proposals must be in connection with the duties of the Commission
All listings of the IPF member nations shall include the name of the national federation.
No national federation shall remain a member of the IPF if the Congress by at least two-thirds majority of votes cast decides that it is not in the best interest of the IPF for that national federation to remain a member.
Elections of Board Members of the IPF shall be determined by regional federations and ratified by the Congress.
Bids shall be made and world championships awarded three years in advance. All bids, accompanied by outline reports on the extent of preparations made, shall be sent to the General Secretary at least ninety (90) days before the next Congress.
All organising federation must sign the promoter contract one year before the according championships otherwise the IPF sanctions will apply if this federation withdraws.
The executive committee will examine the bids and takes the decision where the different championships will be held.
The select nation must then report in detail to the Congress.
The IPF shall only print a master copy of the Technical Rules. Each member nation will be permitted to reprint them for sale or distribution as it sees fit.
The IPF may test for category 1 referee at any international championship except that of the Bench Press Championships.
The General Secretary shall design and maintain an application form for the use of nations wishing to affiliate to the IPF. The form shall require all necessary information from the applicant including the names and addresses of officers, other affiliations and relevant organisational data. The form will be returned together with a copy of the applicant Nation's constitution.
The IPF is incorporated under the laws of Austria. The headquarters is located in the home town of the General Secretary. It is not necessary to move the country of incorporation with changes in officers or with a move of the headquarters if all functions of the IPF may be continued without interruption and the corporate and legal integrity of it may be maintained. The Executive will make any need for changes in location of incorporation or of location of the headquarters.
No entity of the IPF may bring litigation against another entity of the IPF.
The permitted expenses of all officers of the IPF shall be decided by the IPF-EC and contained in the Treasurer's budget proposals. If necessary the executive may by two-thirds majority vary payments approved in the budget.
The Standing Orders of the IPF shall be the supreme document for all IPF meetings. The exception being when they are in conflict with the Constitution (refer IPF Constitution 7.3.6.1).
The word '”World” in connection with powerlifting may only be used by the IPF for competition and records.
The Auditor shall perform an audit closing the books on 1st of October each year. There must be an audit of IPF accounts. The audit is to be made by the Auditor.
The annual membership subscription shall include all championship and international sanction fees with the exception of world championships. For these, sanction fees shall be paid in accordance with the following scale of subscriptions and fees:
103.2.1 National affiliations (annually): EUR 200
103.2.2 All referee examinations: EUR 30
103.2.3 Referee card renewal: EUR 30
103.2.4 Sanction for international matches: Free
103.2.5 IPF Referee Tie EUR 15
103.2.6 IPF Badge (if lost) EUR 15
103.2.7 Sanction for World Championships EUR 1.000
103.2.8 Analyse of B-Sample EUR at cost
103.2.9 Appeals (refer IPF-Con. 11.4.1) EUR 150
Regional federations must be affiliated to the IPF and will not be subjected to any sanction fee for regional championships. In addition, the promoter shall be responsible for providing at his own expense all necessary medals, 1st 2nd and 3rd for all competing categories and classes (refer to 104.3 for medals or certificates for individual lifts). The category and class medals are to be ordered from the Treasurer at least three months prior to the championships.
The participating national federation s shall pay a drug test fee of EUR 50 for each lifter entered and declared at the Technical Meeting prior to the championships. If a national federation is not represented at the Technical Meeting, then a fee is required for all lifters nominated and entered on the final entry form. In addition to the drug test fee, participating national federations shall pay a participation fee of EUR 15 per lifter for each lifter entered and taking part in any World Championships. 50% of the participation fee or equipment similar to that amount shall be paid to the promoter, or the promoter shall receive equivalent support in goods donated by sponsors, as decided by the Executive.
Any national federation organising any of the events listed in 103.2 and who has not paid the necessary sanction fee, shall automatically be suspended from memberships of the IPF until such time as the required fee is paid in full.
All television rights for international competition shall be the sole property of the IPF.
At all world championships, participating national federations shall be responsible for their own hotel bills.
All pre-booked rooms have to be paid before the championships; except those rooms which were cancelled until seven (7) days before the beginning of the championships.
Cancellation has to be proofed by a written confirmation of the organiser e.g. an email or fax.
No other exception can be accepted.
Not the organiser, but the responsible national federation will be charged for any damages or thefts occurring in the room.
The hotel bills of a maximum of 4 IPF-Officials and the Computer Secretary as decided by the EC shall be paid by the promoter of the championships on the basis of room and breakfast only for a maximum of eight (8) days.
The IPF shall pay travel costs and other expenses of four executive members as follows:
103.7.1 One hundred percent of the cheapest airfare obtainable from recognised carriers less any subsidy paid by any other agency.
103.7.2 In the event of a promoter not being in a position to honour his obligations to four executive members with regard to their hotel bills, the IPF shall pay same on the basis of a length of stay at least equal to that of the teams, or for a reasonable period of time not to exceed eight (8) days.
103.7.3 Any finance referred to in item (103.8.2), shall be derived from the championship itself or current IPF deposits. Such funding must not be offset against future deposits.
103.7.4 No other recompense shall be made in favour of the four IPF officials.
103.7.5 Both the President and the Treasurer must approve all claims for expenses or reimbursements. This ruling applies equally to the issue and signing of cheques and contracts.
A lapel pin portraying the official IPF emblem shall be obtained for sale to all members. In addition, the Treasurer will obtain a stock of items such as belt buckles, cuff links, ties and tie clasps etc. for sale to members and as a means of raising funds.
Delinquent Nations: National federations more than one year in arrears with their annual subscription shall be suspended from