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COPE retraction guidelines explained

Last checked 6 November 2026 · 4 sources

Short answer

The Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) retraction guidelines tell journal editors when and how to retract published work. Version 3 was published on 4 September 2025 1. It says retraction is for findings that cannot be relied upon, that its purpose is to correct the literature and not to punish authors, and that the editor makes the final decision 1. Where reliability cannot yet be judged, an expression of concern may fit better 1.
Publisher
Committee on Publication Ethics 1
Current version
Version 3, 4 September 2025 1
Earlier versions
Version 2 on 11 December 2019, Version 1 in 2009 1
Final decision
The editor 1
Licence
CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 1

Purpose and scope

COPE says the purpose of retraction is to correct the literature and its integrity, not to punish the authors. Retraction alerts readers to unreliable work 1.

Retraction applies when content or data are so flawed that the findings cannot be relied upon. COPE lists honest error, naive mistakes and misconduct as possible causes 1.

When not to retract

COPE says retraction may not be appropriate when the editor cannot judge reliability for lack of information, delays or an inability to obtain it. In that case the editor may consider an expression of concern 1.

The guidelines say an editor could publish an expression of concern when uncertain, and should publish one if there is a delay in deciding whether to retract. Version 3 aligned this advice with COPE's 2025 Expressions of Concern guidelines 1.

Timing and who decides

Retraction notices should appear as soon as the editor is confident that the publication is seriously flawed or misleading. The aim is to limit harm from citations or reliance on the work 1.

The editor makes the final retraction decision. The exception is where the editor is compromised or has a conflict of interest. Publishers can support investigations, make recommendations and jointly issue notices 1.

What changed in Version 3

  • A new section on batch retractions 1.
  • A new section on communicating with authors 1.
  • An expanded statement of the purpose of retraction 1.
  • Stronger emphasis that retraction is the editor's decision, with the publisher assisting and informing 1.
  • Advice from a Council Member with legal expertise on several points 1.
  • Alignment with the 2025 Expressions of Concern guidelines 1.

How COPE fits with other rules

COPE's guidance sits beside other standards. ICMJE asks that retracted articles stay in the public domain, be labelled as retracted in every form and be linked to the notice in both directions. It refers readers to the 2025 COPE retraction guidelines for further detail 2.

NISO's RP-45-2024 covers how retraction status is recorded in metadata and shown to readers and machines 3. Publishers write their own procedures. Elsevier, for example, watermarks the PDF of a retracted article and removes its HTML version 4.

TopicCOPEICMJE
Who decidesThe editor, publisher assists 1Editor publishes the retraction 2
Who writes the noticePublisher may jointly issue 1Ideally the authors, or the editor 2
Pending inquiryExpression of concern if a decision is delayed 1Expression of concern pending the outcome 2

Common questions

Are COPE guidelines binding?

COPE publishes them as guidance for editors. The page read for this summary does not describe enforcement 1.

Is retraction a punishment?

No. COPE says its purpose is to correct the literature, not to punish authors 1.

Can a publisher retract without the editor?

COPE says the editor decides, except where the editor is compromised or has a conflict of interest 1.

When was the latest version issued?

Version 3 was published on 4 September 2025 1.

Rules and charges change. Check the official source linked on this page before you pay or travel. Spotted an error? Email hello@mediacorrections.org.

Sources

  1. Committee on Publication Ethics: Retraction guidelines, Version 3 (4 September 2025)
  2. ICMJE: Recommendations, Scientific Misconduct, Expressions of Concern, and Retraction
  3. NISO: RP-45-2024, Communication of Retractions, Removals, and Expressions of Concern (CREC) (27 June 2024)
  4. Elsevier: Article Correction, Retraction and Removal Policy (company statement)

Related

  • Academic retractions explained

    What it means when a journal retracts a paper, how retraction differs from a correction, expression of concern or withdrawal, and what readers see.

  • How to find a correction

    Where to look for a correction to a news story or a retraction of a research paper: on the story, in print, in corrections policies and in Crossref data.

  • Silent edits and update transparency rules

    When publishers may change a story without a note and when they must flag it, from codes, press council guidance, outlet policies and journal rules.