Recent press coverage has questioned the integrity of conference proceedings and some other publications published by EDP Sciences. We take these concerns seriously and categorically reaffirm our commitment to upholding the highest ethical standards in scholarly publishing. Our proactive measures, including immediate retractions, enhanced editorial scrutiny, and the adoption of advanced integrity-checking tools, demonstrate our firm stance against unethical practices. We will continue to respond decisively to emerging challenges, working alongside industry partners, institutions, and experts to safeguard the academic record.

Research integrity is fundamental to academic publishing, and EDP Sciences is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards in scholarly communication. Through rigorous peer review, adherence to COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) guidelines, and the implementation of advanced technological solutions, EDP Sciences ensures the credibility and trustworthiness of its publications. By actively monitoring, taking advice and addressing emerging challenges, the publisher remains committed to safeguarding the integrity of the academic record.

Decisive action in response to integrity concerns

EDP Sciences has demonstrated its commitment to integrity by taking strong action where issues have been identified. In 2024, following an internal investigation, the publisher paused the publication of new proceedings in E3S Web of Conferences and BIO Web of Conferences until the end of last year. This decision was made to allow for a thorough examination of ethical breaches, including instances of citation manipulation, and to implement enhanced safeguards against such practices.

Similarly, after a detailed review of a Special Issue of Science and Technology for Energy Transition (STET), EDP Sciences, in collaboration with IFP Energies nouvelles (IFPEN) and the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), have retracted multiple articles due to severe violations of authorship and peer-review ethics. The investigation uncovered coordinated misconduct, leading to the decision to retract compromised papers and notify relevant institutions. Further details on the retraction of several articles will be shared in an upcoming announcement later this month.

“As publishers, we have a responsibility to ensure the credibility of the research we publish,” said Agnès Henri, Managing Director of EDP Sciences. “Integrity is at the heart of our editorial mission. The growing temptation among some researchers to bypass rules and ethical principles, regardless of the field, compels us to take proactive measures to address the increasingly complex, organised, and structured challenges facing scientific publishing.”

Using advanced technology to strengthen integrity measures

The actions highlighted above demonstrate EDP Sciences’ strong commitment to preserving the integrity of the academic record, and as a result has invested in advanced screening tools to proactively detect research integrity breaches. The publisher has signed an agreement to use the Clear Skies Papermill Alarm, now integrated with the STM Integrity Hub, a collaborative initiative developed by STM Solutions a subsidiary of The International Association of Scientific, Technical & Medical Publishers (STM). The Hub pools new and existing technology, policy, and best practices to safeguard research integrity. The Papermill Alarm enhances this effort with a traffic-light rating system that flags potential papermill-generated content. This system helps publishers prioritise resources efficiently, focusing on manuscripts that warrant further scrutiny.

Additionally, EDP Sciences has joined forces with Cactus Communications to implement Paperpal Preflight for Editorial Desk across its conference proceedings. This AI-driven tool performs rigorous integrity checks, identifying potential concerns alongside assessing language quality and technical compliance.

“As the volume of research submissions grows, maintaining high integrity standards is more crucial than ever,” said Solange Guéhot, Editor for Web of Conferences. “With Paperpal Preflight, we can efficiently screen conference proceedings and safeguard the credibility of our publications.”

Ensuring ethical publishing and rigorous peer review

Integrity is embedded in every aspect of EDP Sciences’ publishing practices. All journals undergo rigorous peer review, ensuring that only high-quality, ethically conducted research is published. In line with best practices in scholarly publishing, EDP Sciences follows COPE guidelines to maintain transparency and accountability throughout the publication process.

To further strengthen its commitment to ethical publishing, EDP Sciences benefits from the guidance of its Scientific Advisory Committee, an independent body composed of respected scientists and influential figures within the scientific community. The Committee provides strategic editorial advice, ensuring that EDP Sciences remains closely connected to the needs of researchers while upholding the highest ethical standards in publishing. The Committee also plays a crucial role in helping EDP Sciences navigate the evolving scientific publishing landscape, including Open Science initiatives, transparency, and integrity challenges at an international level.

A future-focused approach to research integrity

As the landscape of academic publishing evolves, so do the challenges of maintaining research integrity. EDP Sciences continually monitors developments, refines its policies, and adapts its processes to uphold the highest standards. By integrating advanced technologies, strengthening editorial workflows, and responding proactively to ethical concerns, EDP Sciences remains committed to fostering trust in academic research and ensuring its publications maintain their credibility and reliability.

EDP Sciences acknowledges that most researchers uphold the highest ethical standards and contribute to the advancement of knowledge with integrity and professionalism. We sincerely thank the many authors and reviewers who engage with us in good faith and actively support ethical publishing by following best practices and maintaining high academic standards. We also extend our gratitude to the institutions, organisations, and individuals who work diligently to uphold research integrity and continue to alert us to ethical concerns in our journals. Their vigilance and dedication help ensure that publishing standards remain robust and trustworthy. Their efforts help maintain trust in scholarly communication and ensure the continued reliability of the academic record.