22.1
The International Society for Phylogenetic Nomenclature (ISPN) is an international, non-profit organization with no membership restrictions. Two committees of the ISPN have responsibilities that pertain to this code: the Committee on Phylogenetic Nomenclature (CPN) and the Registration Committee.
22.2
The Registration Committee is responsible for managing the registration database for phylogenetically defined names. It has the authority to set policy concerning the routine operation of the database, so long as such decisions do not conflict with the provisions of this code. The members of the Registration Committee will be appointed by the ISPN through a vote of the Council.
22.3
The CPN has the responsibility and power to: (a) ratify the first edition of this code prior to its implementation; (b) rule on applications for suppression or conservation of names; (c) resolve ambiguities in the provisions of this code; (d) amend the provisions of this code; and (e) produce future editions of this code.
22.4
The members of the CPN will be elected by the membership of the ISPN. The number of members in the CPN will be determined by the ISPN. The CPN officers (Chair and Secretary) will be elected by the membership of the CPN.
22.5
Members of the CPN will be elected for three-year terms. Members may be elected for up to three consecutive terms. Each officer will be elected for a one-year term in that office (as part of the three-year term as a member). Officers may serve for up to three consecutive one-year terms and shall not be eligible to serve again in the same office until one year has elapsed since completing the third consecutive term.
22.6
Applications for suppression or conservation of names, restricted emendations of definitions, and rulings on whether a proposed emendation is restricted or unrestricted must be submitted to the CPN. Once received, they will be published (Art. 4) and made available on a web site administered by the ISPN.
22.7
Decisions by the CPN on applications to suppress or conserve names or to emend definitions must be approved by a two-thirds vote of the CPN. Decisions will be published and announced on a web site administered by the ISPN, and the affected names will be annotated in the registration database.
22.8
Decisions by the CPN regarding interpretation of rules (in case of ambiguity) and the status of proposed emendations as restricted or unrestricted require approval by a simple majority of the CPN. Decisions will be published and announced on a web site administered by the ISPN.
22.9
Proposed modifications of this code after its ratification and implementation must be submitted to the CPN. Once received, they will be published (Art. 4) and made available on a web site administered by the ISPN.
22.10
Proposed modifications of this code after its ratification and implementation may not be voted upon until at least three months have elapsed from the date of their publication, to allow for discussion by the systematics community and communication of opinions to the members of the CPN.
22.11
Decisions to modify the code after its ratification and implementation must be approved by a two-thirds vote of the CPN. Any decision adopted by the CPN will be published and announced on a website administered by the ISPN. Decisions take effect immediately upon publication.