HON Code
Cosmetic Surgery - Plastic Surgery - Aesthetic Medicine - Reconstructive Surgery
The HONcode is a certification scheme designed to improve the
information available to both patients and health professionals to
facilitate quick access to the latest and more relevant medical data.
The HONcode has been created by the Health On the Net Foundation. This
HONcode is for Websites devoted to medicine and health. The aim is to
improve the quality of information available on the internet and assist
in the identification of Websites maintained by qualified people and
that contain reliable data.
The HONcode has 8 ethical principles: the qualification of the author,
the date clinical documents were last modified, confidentiality of
data, the reference for the source of information, financing and
advertising policy.
The certification system of the HONcode is based on voluntary
submission of the site (with the author's commitment to make the
changes required for certification) and free certification.
A Website is HONcode certified when it meets each of the principles
and demonstrates how they are integrated into the website. It is then
assigned a unique dynamic seal to display on its pages.
The certified site is audited annually or in connection with a complaint or a breach of the principles.
The principle of the HONcode is dynamic and may change based on
discussions with all groups concerned, site administrators, support
groups for patients and health professionals.
The HONcode is a standard recognized worldwide as particularly
trustworthy. It is aimed at protecting citizens against false or
questionable medical information. Certified websites are a "safe space"
where citizens from around the world can explore the latest
information on the medical world.