• Object of Cultural Value
The statutory definition describes an object of cultural value as an original tangible or intangible item that can provide direct or indirect evidence of the development of society and has lasting scientific, historical, cultural or artistic significance. This is a general definition of objects that form part of the cultural heritage of the Slovak Republic. For the purposes of applying legal requirements governing the export and import of objects of cultural value, these objects are classified into specific categories precisely defined in the annexes to the relevant legislation.

• Categories of Objects of a Cultural Nature (Annex I to Council Regulation (EC) No 116/2009)
• Categories of Objects of Cultural Value (Annex No. 1 to Act No. 207/2009 Coll.)
Notice: Applicable only until 30 June 2018.

• Expert Assessment
Identification and valuation of an object or specimen. In some countries, the term is used to refer to an independent valuation of a proposed donation for tax benefit purposes.

• Conflict of Interest
The existence of a personal or private interest that creates a conflict of principles in professional practice and limits the objectivity of decision-making.

• Conservator-Restorer
A museum-based or independent professional authorised to carry out technical examinations, protection, conservation and restoration of cultural property. (For further information, see ICOM News, Volume 39, No. 1 (1986), pp. 5–6.)

• Cultural Heritage
Any object or concept of aesthetic, historical, scientific or spiritual significance.

• Natural Heritage
Any natural object, phenomenon or concept that may be considered scientifically or spiritually significant.

• Dealing
The purchase and sale of objects for the benefit of an individual or institution.

• Due Diligence
The requirement to make every reasonable effort to establish the facts of a particular case before deciding on a course of action, particularly with regard to identifying the origin and source of objects offered for acquisition or use before they are actually acquired.

• Governing Body1)
The individuals or organisations identified in the relevant founding documents of a museum as being responsible for its continued development, strategic planning and funding.

• Income-Generating Activities
Activities intended to generate financial profit or benefit for an institution.

• Legal Title
A legally recognised ownership claim to property in a given country. In some countries, such a right may be held under a loan or other temporary arrangement and may not be sufficient to meet due diligence requirements.

• Minimum Standard
A standard to which all museums and their employees should aspire. Some countries have established their own minimum standards.

• Museum2)

A museum is a permanent, non-profit institution serving society and its development, open to the public, which acquires, conserves, researches, communicates and exhibits the tangible and intangible heritage of humanity and its environment for the purposes of study, education and enjoyment.

• Museum Professionals 2)
Museum professionals include all employees of museums or institutions as defined in Article 2, paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Statutes, who have received specialised training or acquired equivalent practical experience in relevant fields relating to museum management and operations. The term also includes independent individuals who respect the ICOM Code of Ethics for Museums and work for museums or institutions as defined in the Statutes. Museum professionals do not include individuals who promote or sell commercial products and equipment required by museums to provide their services.

• Non-Profit Organisation
A legally established institution (whether a legal entity or a natural person) whose income, including surpluses and profits, is used exclusively for the benefit and operation of that institution. The term “not-for-profit” has the same meaning.

• Provenance
The complete history and ownership records of an object from its discovery or creation to the present, enabling its authenticity and ownership to be established.

• Valid Title
An undisputed right of ownership supported by a complete record of the provenance of an object that has been discovered or produced.

1)For the purposes of this Code, the term “governing body” is used to refer to all those involved in the management, funding and shaping of the objectives and aims of the museum under their administration, such as a ministry, municipality, higher territorial unit, board of trustees, management, association or similar body.
2) It should be noted that the terms “museum” and “museum professional” are provisional definitions used to interpret the ICOM Code of Ethics for Museums. The definitions of “museum” and “professional museum workers” used in the ICOM Statutes remain in force until the revision of that document is completed.

Source: CODE OF ETHICS OF THE INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF MUSEUMS, Slovak Committee of the International Council of Museums (SK ICOM), Bratislava 2009, https://www.icom-slovakia.sk/docs/eticky-kodex-muzei.pdf