Statutes of the European Stevia Association
CHAPTER 1. / DENOMINATION, ADDRESS, DISSOLUTION DATE, OBJECTIVES AND AIMS
Article 1.1. Denomination
With the denomination Asociación Europea de la Estevia (EUROPEAN STEVIA ASSOCIATION,
EUSTAS), an ASSOCIATION is constituted under the protection of the constitutional law 1/2002, of
22nd of March, and complementary norms, with full and legal capacity to work, with non-profit ethos.
Article 1.2. Address
The association establishes its head office in C/ Maladeta, nº 20, 22300 BARBASTRO, Huesca,
SPAIN, and the territorial environment, in which it is going to carry out its main activities, is the whole
territory of the EUROPEAN UNION. After agreement of the General Assembly it can be transferred
the head office and can also be established a Delegation, office of representation or link nearby the
Institutions of the European Union if this is considered convenient.
Article 1.3. Dissolution date
This association is constituted indefinitely.
Article 1.4. Objectives and aims
This European Association for the promotion, investigation and development of Stevia, does not have
profit making in their aims and objectives, which are:
1.4.1.- Promoting the products derived from the plant Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni) among
consumers, public authorities and public in general.
1.4.2.- Supporting the research, development and innovation (RDI) in universities and other centers
of research, private or public, pursuing the best knowledge of the agronomic characteristic of the
plant, its industrial processing, and its applications in the field of animal and human food, agriculture,
other technical scientific applications, and above all, the effects of its consumption on human health.
1.4.3.- Providing the authorities of the European Union the necessary information that can help to
revoke the ban on the consumption of the plant Stevia and its sweet steviol glycosides in the
European Union.
1.4.4.- To compile and to maintain all aspects of information on the chain of products of Stevia and
making it available through electronic and conventional media.
1.4.5.- Defining quality criteria and methods of analysis for Stevia and the extracts, as well as for
formulated products.
1.4.6.- Defining criteria for the control and reevaluation of the formulated products with Stevia when
necessary according to new conditions of use and new scientific information.
1.4.7.- Defining the criteria and protocols for the development of toxicological, epidemiological and
metabolic studies.
1.4.8.- Defining the criteria and regulations of a European Stevia Quality Label and its derived
products.
The actions to reach these aims and objectives will be carried out independently of any political
and/or religious point of view.
In order to carry out the objectives described above, the Association will be able to collect as many
aids, subsidies, contributions or funds as necessary.
Article 1.5. Activities
The members of the Association should meet at least once a year in any place inside the European
Union determined by the Executive Board, to discuss and to deliberate the annual work program and
its monitoring. At that time, the annual budget will be fixed, as well as its annual revision. The
Association should work on an annual projects basis, specifically in the following areas:
a) technological and scientific research
b) public promotion
c) institutional promotion
d) documentary and informative databases
e) marketing and market research
The structure of the Association can be utilized for research and activities outside the European
Union, if the objectives justify it.
Article 1.6. European Stevia Quality Label
The Association will create an European Stevia Quality Label with the purpose of maintaining an
standard of quality of the steviol glycosides for the European market. The products of Stevia sold in
the European Union should conform to this Label according to the definite criteria by the European
Stevia Association.
CHAPTER 2 / MEMBERS
Article 2.1
The Association is constituted of at least three members. Everybody will be able to become a
member of the Association, that is individual persons, companies (importing, distribution and
producing), public in general and other organizations with non-profit aims, which have an interest in,
and declare sincerely to be faithful to the aims and objectives of EUSTAS, and to participate in the
activities described in the Articles 1.4 and 1.5 of these statutes.
Article 2.2. Types of members
Inside the Association the following types of members will exist:
a) Founder members, who will be those that participate in the act of constitution
of the Association.
b) Registered members, who will be those becoming members after the founding
of the Association.
c) Honorary members, given the membership because of their academic or
professional prestige in the field of Stevia or because of their contribution,
in an outstanding way, to the dignification and development of the Association.
The appointment of the honorary members will correspond to the Executive
Board or to the General Assembly.
d) Sponsor members, will be those who participate with gifts (economic
donations) to develop the objectives, aims and activities of the Association.
e) Volunteer members, who help in realizing the activities and aims of
the Association in a voluntary capacity.
f) Institutional members. The European Stevia Association (EUSTAS) in
its relationship with other associations, institutes or other organisms
(international, national, etc.) with which it shares aims and objetives
or have similar interests about Stevia, can nominate these associations
as INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERS.
Article 2.3. Acceptance conditions for members. Rights and obligations
2.3.1.- Registered members:
a) The candidates will present their request individually. For the admission of new
members the evaluation of the Executive Board is required. The evaluation and acceptance by the candidates cannot be based on sex, religion, language, race, nationality or political opinion. The criteria of evaluation and acceptance will be
based on the suitability of the candidate to the aims and activities of the
Association.
b) Once the evaluation has been completed and if the Executive Board approves the
candidacy, it will communicate to all the members in writing via surface or
electronic mail. If none of the members present an objection in writing that
includes an objective reason within a period of two weeks after the notification, the Executive Board will accept the membership fee of the candidate, once he / she
has signed the declared aims and objectives of these statutes, and will also
accept the membership. In case of the existence of some written objective
objection as it is mentioned previously, the Executive Board will reconsider the
request. The final decision lies with the Executive Board.
c) The Executive Board will register each associate in the official list of members with
a registration number.
d) Each registered member has the right to have a say in the matters of the
Association and represents one vote in the General Assembly.
e) Each member has the right to take part in all activities that the Association
organizes in accordance with its aims and objectives.
f) Each member has the right to enjoy all the advantages and benefits that the
Association can obtain.
g) Each member has the right to vote and to be elected for the executive tasks.
h) Each member has the right to receive information on the agreements adopted by
the organs of the Association.
i) Each member has the right to make suggestions to the members of the Executive
Board in order to the better fulfillment of the aims and objectives of the
Association.
j) Each member should comply with the present statutes and the valid agreements of
the Assemblies and the Executive Board. Also he / she should act according to
the objectives declared in these statutes.
k) Each member has the obligation to pay the annual membership fee.
l) The membership fee will be determined for the Executive Board and will be
announced at the beginning of the year. The membership fee is valid only during
the year in which it is paid, and the payment will be carried out via bank transfer to
the bank account of the Association before January 31st, each year.
m) The registered member should attend the Assemblies and other activities that
may be organized. It is expected that the member will participate in the activities
of the Association as much as possible.
n) The member should perform the inherent obligations of the tasks that he/she
accepts.
2.3.2.- Founder member:
a) There should be at least three founder members.
b) These members have the same rights and obligations as the registered members
and no additional right or obligation.
2.3.3.- Honorary members:
a) They have the same rights and obligations as the founder and registered
members. However, they will be exempt from the annual obligation to pay a
membership fee (section k) of the Article 2.3.1.
2.3.4.- Sponsor members:
a) They make financial donations which are used for reaching the aims and
objectives of the Association, as well as for carrying out the activities indicated in
the statutes.
c) Have the same obligations as the registered members.
d) Each sponsor member has the same rights than the registered member and in
addition, he has the right of extra votes for four consecutive years in the General
Assembly depending on the quantity of money he donates to the Association.
Thus, the sponsor membership is valid for four years after the donation.
e) The number of votes of each sponsor member will be determined by dividing
his gift by the quantity of the annual membership fee and it will never
exceed 20 % of the total number of votes.
f) The donations should be carried out by bank transfer to the bank account
of the Association before January 31st, each year.
g) Links from the website of the Association to commercial pages will
only be possible after the approval, and under the direction, of the Executive
Board. Links will be possible for a sponsor member who has carried out
a donation which would be a fixed quantity in the annual budget for this
aim. Such sponsor cannot have a proposition for more than one link present
at the same time.
2.3.5.- Volunteer member:
a) will collaborate in a voluntary way with the Association to reach its
aims and objectives.
b) Does not pay annual membership fee. She / he can participate in the
discussions of the General Assembly, but has no vote.
c) Has the right to participate in the activities of the Association and
to receive information from it.
2.3.6.- Institutional member:
a) will collaborate in a voluntary way with the Association to reach its
aims and objectives.
b) Does not pay annual membership fee. It can participate in the discussions
of the General Assembly, but has no vote.
c) Has the right to participate in the activities of the Association and
to receive information from it.
d) Will share information about its institution, its activities, and data
about Stevia it has in its power.
e) Has to have written consent from EUSTAS Executive board before involving
EUSTAS in any marketing material, activities, logos and also to be considered
representative and / or speak on behalf of the European Stevia Association.
2.3.7.- No member, present or past, rejected or by voluntary resignation,
can demand the refunding of annual membership fees, donations or contributions
once paid. Nobody can claim the right to assets or economic resource of
the Association.
The associates do not have personal responsibility derived of the activities
of the Association.
Article 2.4. Resignations and dismissals
The members will resign or be dismissed from the Association for some of the following reasons:
a) Voluntary resignation, letting it be known in writing to the Executive Board. The
Executive Board will communicate to the rest of the members the resignation
which will be effective after the following General Assembly.
b) If the member stopped paying the periodic membership fee.
c) By behaving in such a way that is not in agreement with the indicated aims and
objectives in these statutes. In this case, the Executive Board will decide the
dismissal of the member.
CHAPTER 3 / EXECUTIVE BOARD
Article 3.1
The Association will be administered and represented by a Executive Board formed by: a President, a
Vice-President, a Secretary / Treasurer and possibly two Board members. The functions performed
by the Executive Board will not be remunerated. These officers will be appointed and revoked by the
General Assembly and their term of office will have a duration of two years.
Article 3.2
The members of the Executive Board may voluntarily resign after writing to the Executive Board. They
can be dismissed for non-fulfillment of the obligations that had been entrusted by the members and
by expiration of the mandate.
Article 3.3
The members of the Executive Board who reach the end of their term of office for which they were
chosen, will continue holding their office up to the date of the substitute’s acceptance.
Article 3.4
The Executive Board will meet as many times as it is set by the President and also by initiative or
petition of 2/3 of its members. It will be constituted legally when half plus one of its members attend
and its decisions will be valid when agreed by the majority of votes. In case of a tie, the President’s
vote will be decisive. All the members of Executive Board have equivalent votes in the meetings.
Article 3.5 Competence of the Executive Board
The competencies of the Executive Board will be extended to all the acts of the Association. The
expressed authorization of the General Assembly for the activity according to these Statutes is not
required.
The competencies of the Executive Board are the following:
a) Organizing the activities and carrying out the administrative and financial
management of the association, agreeing to carry out the opportune contracts and
acts. As well as using all the available resources for the execution of the activities
to comply with the aims of the Association.
b) Preparing the program of activities for the following period along with its budget
and presenting it in the following General Assembly for its approval. The
Executive Board cannot present or propose any activity without its financing plan.
c) Signing and finalizing purchase, sale, change or rent contracts of any property,
goods or services, which were decided upon in the approved plan and budget of
the General Assembly. The Executive Board has authority to readjust the budget
of the proposed activities and to increase the expenses with a maximum of 30%.
d) Executing the decisions of the General Assembly.
e) Formulating and submitting the Balance and the annual Accounts for the approval
by the General Assembly.
f) Covering the admission of new members.
g) Designating delegates for some determined activity of the Association.
h) Maintaining the registrations of the decisions taken by the General Assembly and
the meetings of the Executive Board.
i) Any other faculty which is not of the exclusive competence of the General
Assembly.
j) The President or the Vice-President, alone or together, represent the Association in
the presence of third parties or courts.
Article 3.6 Duties of the President
Representing legally the Association in front of all types of public or private agencies; to call, to
preside and to close the meetings of the General Assembly and Executive Board, as well as to
preside over the discussions; to order payments and to authorize with her / his signature the
documents, bills and correspondence; to adopt any urgent measure which is needed or advisable for
the good course of the Association or for the development of its activities, without prejudice to
subsequently give account to the Executive Board.
Article 3. 7 Duties of the Vice -President
Substituting the President during her / his absence, if it is motivated by illness or any other cause, and
has the same duties as the President.
Article 3. 8 Duties of the Secretary / Treasurer
Executing the administrative tasks of the Association, to issue certifications, to be in charge of the
legally established account books of the Association and the card index of members, and to keep
secure the documentation of the organization, communicating the meetings planned by the Executive
Board and other decisions and keeping registration of correspondence, as well as the presentation of
the annual accounts and the legal fulfillment of the administrative obligations.
To collect and keep secure the funds of the Association and to fulfill any payment orders signed by
the President.
Article 3. 9 Duties of the Board members
The obligations of their duties as members of the Executive Board, as well as the duties which are
derived from the delegations or work packages that the Executive Board entrusted to them.
Article 3. 10
Any vacancies that may occur during the mandate of any of the members of the Executive Board will
be provisionally covered by the other members until the next Extraordinary General Assembly .
CHAPTER 4 / GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Article 4.1
The General Assembly is the supreme organ Board of the Association and will be composed of all the
members.
Article 4.2
The meetings of the Assembly will be ordinary and extraordinary. The ordinary ones will be kept
once a year in the period of four months following the closing of the financial year; the extraordinary
ones will be organized when the circumstances require it, when the President decides it, when at
least 1/3 of the votes of the Executive Board agrees with it, or when a tenth part of the members
propose it in writing.
Article 4.3
The invitation for the General Assembly will be made in writing expressing the place, day and hour of
the meeting as well as the agenda. It should be sent at least thirty days before the meeting.
Article 4.4
The decisions will be taken by simple majority of the present or represented members, the blank
votes and abstentions not being counted. Only the registered and founders members can delegate
the right to vote and this only can be done by written and signed full power. Each member can
represent at most one additional vote with a full power.
A qualified majority of the present or represented members is necessary for:
a) Appointment of the Executive Board and administrative duties.
b) Agreement to build a Federation of Associations or to be integrated in one.
c) Disposition or transfer of immobilized goods.
d) Modification of statutes.
e) Dissolution of the organization.
Article 4.5 General Assembly
a) Approving the management of the Executive Board.
b) Examining and approving the annual Accounts.
c) Approving or rejecting the proposals of the Executive Board about the activities of
the Association.
d) Setting the ordinary or extraordinary membership fee.
e) Any another business which is not exclusive competence of the Extraordinary
Assembly.
Article 4.6 Extraordinary Assembly
a) Dismissal or election of members of the Executive Board.
b) Modification of Statutes.
c) Dissolution of the Association.
d) Dismissals of members, at the suggestion of the Executive Board.
CHAPTER 5 / FINANCE
Article 5.1
The Association at the moment of its constitution, does not have Funds.
Article 5.2
The financial resources for the development of the aims and activities of the Association will be the
following:
a) The membership fees, periodic or extraordinary.
b) The contributions, subsidies, legacies or inheritances that it could legally receive
from any member or third people.
c) Any another lawful resource.
All the mentioned resources will be only used according to the aims and objectives of the Association.
Article 5.3
The financial and associative exercise will be annual, starting on January 1st, and closing on
December 31st.
CHAPTER 6 / DISSOLUTION
Article 6.1
The Association will be voluntarily dissolved when the Extraordinary Assembly agrees by a majority of
2/3 of the members.
Article 6.2
In the case of dissolution, a settlement commission will be appointed which, after payment of the
debts, will assign possible remaining funds to other non-profit organizations or public or private
non-profit associations.
ADDITIONAL RESOLUTION
For everything that has not been foreseen in the present statutes, the constitutional law 1/2002, of
22nd of March will be applied, which regularizes the Right of Association, and the complementary
dispositions.
25th of July of 2006