SECTION I

Article 1 - Exhibition Objectives

1.1 The F.I.P. sees in philatelic exhibitions a suitable opportunity to further its aims, as set out in Article 5 of its Statutes:

- to promote every aspect of philately world wide,

- expand and develop friendly relations and close co-operation between philatelists the world over, and thus to make a contribution to the consolidation of peace and to better understanding among all people,

- to demonstrate the state of development of philately in all of its various fields,

- to promote international exchange of the results of philatelic research,

- to awaken the interest of philatelists in international competitions, and

- to demonstrate to the general public, in particular to the youth, the cultural and the educational values of philately and its attractiveness as a hobby.

Article 2 - Categories of Exhibitions

In accordance with Article 1 of these Regulations, the F.I.P. promotes the following categories of philatelic exhibitions:

2.1 World Exhibitions:

2.1.1 General World Exhibitions for all Exhibition Classes as set out in Article 4 and open to all F.I.P.-Members.

2.1.2 Specialised World Exhibitions restricted to one or several Exhibition Classes and open to all F.I.P.-Members.

2.2 International Exhibitions:

2.2.1 General International Exhibitions for all Exhibition Classes restricted to continental or regional participation of their Member Federations.

2.2.2 Specialised International Exhibitions restricted to one or several Exhibition Classes and to continental or regional participation of their Member Federations.

2.3 Other Exhibitions:

Other Exhibitions of International interest recognised and supported by the F.I.P.-Board.

Article 3 - F.I.P.-Patronage, Auspices and Support

3.1 By way of promotion, the F.I.P. may grant the F.I.P.-Members:

- Patronage for World Exhibitions (in accordance with Article 2.1) (hereafter referred to as "F.I.P.-World Exhibition").

- Auspices for International Exhibitions (in accordance with Article 2.2) (hereafter referred to as "F.I.P. International Exhibitions").

- Support for other exhibitions recognised by the F.I.P. (in accordance with Article 2.3).

3.2 Should the F.I.P.-Member delegate to an independent organisation or to the Postal Administration of the country, the whole or a portion of the organisation of an exhibition, the F.I.P.-Member still remains fully responsible to the F.I.P.

3.3 F.I.P.-Patronage guarantees to the Exhibition Management the full support of F.I.P. and the F.I.P.-Members. It obliges the Exhibition Management to observe strictly the F.I.P.-Statutes, the General Regulations of the F.I.P. for Exhibitions (GREX), the General Regulations of the F.I.P. for the Evaluation of Competitive Exhibits (hereafter referred to as "GREV"), and the Special Regulations for Evaluation of Exhibits for Competitive Classes (hereafter referred to as "SREVs") as well as any supplementary rules of the individual Exhibition Classes and other stipulations.

3.4 F.I.P.-Auspices guarantee to the Exhibition Management the far-reaching support of F.I.P. and the F.I.P.-Members. It obliges the Exhibition Management to observe the F.I.P.-Statutes, GREX, GREV, SREVs and other stipulations but allows them latitude in all other aspects in connection with the exhibition. Any deviation, however, must be approved by the F.I.P.-Board.

3.5 F.I.P.-Recognition may be granted by the F.I.P.-Board to the Exhibition Management of other exhibitions upon request for the further development of philately on agreed matters.

3.6 Applications for Patronage or Auspices of the F.I.P. must be forwarded in writing to the F.I.P.-Secretariat five months before the Congress as set forth in Article 43.2 of F.I.P.-Statutes.

3.7 The Exhibition Management undertakes not to apply for nor to accept any other philatelic patronage besides the Patronage or Auspices of the F.I.P. and its associated Continental Federations.

3.8 The F.I.P.-Board, represented by the F.I.P.-Co-ordinator, will execute a contract with the F.I.P.-Member and the Exhibition Management for the conduct of a philatelic exhibition under the Patronage or Auspices of the F.I.P.

3.9 For the technical and organisational details of an exhibition under the Patronage or Auspices of F.I.P., the Exhibition Management will draw up its own Individual Regulations (hereafter referred to as "IREX"), which must not conflict with GREX and must be approved by the F.I.P.-Co-ordinator before publication.

Subsequent modifications to the IREX by the Exhibition Management require the approval of the F.I.P.-Co-ordinator and must be advised immediately to all concerned (see Article 49.1 of GREX).

3.10 Should the Exhibition Management not adhere to the obligations resulting from the granting of Patronage or Auspices, the F.I.P.-Board has the right at any time to withdraw its Patronage or Auspices. In such an event F.I.P.-Members will immediately be notified. Awards of such an exhibition will not be recognised by the F.I.P.

Article 4 - Exhibition Classes

4.1 The following classes are admissible in F.I.P.-Exhibitions.

4.2 Non-competitive classes (by invitation)

- Court of Honour

- Official Class

- Jury Class

- Other non-competitive classes.

4.3 The Court of Honour includes exhibits of exceptional significance or interest.

4.4 The Official Class includes exhibits:

- from postal authorities

- from postal museums

- from postage stamp printers

- from postage stamp designers and engravers.

4.5 The Jury Class includes exhibits from Jurors appointed for the exhibition. The participation of jurors is optional. The Exhibition Management may exclude this class.

4.6 Other non-competitive classes include exhibits of special philatelic interest from philatelists and institutions.

4.7 Competitive Classes - F.I.P.-Championship Class (only F.I.P.-General World Exhibitions)

- Class for Traditional Philately

- Class for Postal History

- Class for Postal Stationery

- Class for Aerophilately

- Class for Thematic Philately

- Class for Maximaphily

- Class for Philatelic Literature

- Class for Youth Philately

- Class for Revenue

- Class for Astrophilately

Any exhibit of special philatelic interest which cannot be properly assessed using the special regulations (SREV) of any given Class will be evaluated in accordance with the general principles of GREV Article 5 by a special panel to be appointed by the Jury Presidium.

4.8 Participation in the F.I.P.-Championship Class is restricted to exhibits that have been awarded 3 Large Gold Medals in F.I.P.-World Exhibitions during the past 10 years.

4.8.1 A Grand Prize counts as a Large Gold Medal, credit however, may be taken for only one Large Gold Medal or one Grand Prize per year.

4.8.2 A list of qualified exhibits eligible for competition in the F.I.P.-Championship Class is prepared at the end of each year by the F.I.P.-Board. A qualified exhibit can compete in the F.I.P.-Championship Class for any five calendar years of the exhibitor's choice within a span of ten years if becomes eligible.

4.8.3 Once an exhibit is eligible for the F.I.P.-Championship Class, it cannot be exhibited in any other Competitive Class. Material from the exhibit must not be used in another exhibit. Should the exhibitor wish to enter a substantially different exhibit, a small proportion of such material, but in no case more than 10% of the qualified exhibit, may be included. Abuse of this privilege will result in the exhibit being placed out of competition by the Jury.

4.8.4 On receiving the Grand Prix d'Honneur in the F.I.P.-Championship Class, or having completed eligibility under Articles 4.8.2 and 4.8.3, an exhibit may only be shown in a non-competitive class.

4.9 Special rules for the admission of exhibits in the literature class and the class of youth philately are drawn up separately (Article 50.1 of GREX).

4.10 It is recommended that each Exhibition Class be shown as an entity in one part or area of the exhibition.

4.11 The insurance and transport costs of all invited exhibits in the non-competitive class will be the responsibility of the Exhibition Management unless otherwise agreed in writing.

4.12 In the Competitive Classes wherever possible and with due consideration to the history of different nations, there shall be three sub-divisions as follows:

a) 1st period (until about 1900)

b) 2nd intermediate period

c) 3rd period (starting around World War II)

Article 5 - Judging of Exhibits

5.1 Exhibits in the F.I.P.-Championship Class and the other Competitive Classes (Article 4.7) are to be judged according to uniform principles in all F.I.P.-exhibitions (Article 2). The principles are laid down in the GREV and SREVs.

Article 6 - Size of Exhibition

6.1 General F.I.P.-World Exhibitions should have an overall frame space of at least 2'500 m2 and a maximum of 4'500 m2 at their disposal for the Competitive Classes. Exceptions must be approved by the F.I.P.-Board

6.2 Specialised F.I.P.-World Exhibitions and F.I.P.-International Exhibitions should have an overall space of 1'000 - 2'500 m2 for the Competitive Classes. Exceptions must be approved by the F.I.P.-Board.

6.3 Each exhibit in the F.I.P.-Championship Class must occupy the same frame space as it occupied when qualifying for that class. Granting of a frame space in excess of 10 m2 is not authorised.

6.4 In all other Competitive Classes (except Youth or Literature class) either 5 m2, 6 m2 or 7 m2 will be uniformly allotted to all accepted exhibits that have received a Vermeil or lower award including first time exhibits (Article 6.6). Similarly 8 m2, 9 m2 or 10 m2 will be uniformly allotted to all accepted exhibits that have received Large Vermeil or higher award at a F.I.P.-Exhibition.

Exceptions may only be made for those exhibits which require lesser allotment of frames than they are entitled to receive for reasons of material not being available or for other substantial reasons. This must be specifically requested by the exhibitor in writing supported by the Commissioner giving the reasons and approved by the Co-ordinator in writing (Ref. Art.11.2). However, the allotment in no case will be less than the minimum specified as the uniform allotment for the Vermeil or lower award level and first timer exhibits.

6.5 The Exhibition Management decides on the allocation of the available frame space to the individual exhibition classes. The class for youth philately, if included, must be allocated at least 5% of the available frame space.

6.6 At every F.I.P.-World or International exhibition 20% of the exhibits should be in competition for the first time.

6.7 For the literature class, a reading area must be provided so that visitors may examine the exhibits.

Article 7 - Awards and Recognition

7.1 Non-competitive classes

Non-competitive classes will receive suitable recognition for their exhibits from the Exhibition Management.

7.2 F.I.P.-Championship Class

The only award in this class is the Grand Prix d'Honneur, a valuable objet d'art. Exhibits in the F.I.P.-Championship Class not receiving the Grand Prix d'Honneur will receive a Large Gold Medal or an objet d'art of equivalent value from the Exhibition Management.

7.3 Other Competitive Classes

a) at General World Exhibitions

- Grand Prix International

- Grand Prix National

b) at Specialised World Exhibitions

- Grand Prize of the Exhibition (Grand Prix d'Exposition)

c) at International Exhibitions

- Grand Prize of the Exhibition (Grand Prix d'Exposition)

The Grand Prizes are valuable objet d'art. The Grand Prizes are awarded to the exhibits with the greatest philatelic merit, from among those exceeding the requirement of a Large Gold Medal.

Details of the Competitive Class for which the Grand Prix National is awarded are contained in the IREX. The exhibits in all other Competitive Classes are eligible for the Grand Prix International.

Any exhibit may only receive the same Grand Prix once.

7.4 As required, the following medals are available to the jury for award exclusively to the competitive classes and the class for Youth Philately:

- Large gold medals (minimum 14 carat with at least 10g fine gold)

- Gold medals (minimum 14 carat with at least 5g fine gold)

- Large Vermeil medals (gold-plated silver)

- Vermeil medals (gold-plated silver)

- Large Silver medals

- Silver medals

- Silver bronze / Large bronze medals

- Bronze medals

All medals will be awarded with an appropriate certificate. For the youth Class medals may be awarded up to Large Vermeil level.

7.5 In addition to the Grand Prix (Article 7.3), the Exhibition Management may place special prizes at the disposal of the Jury. These are awarded at the discretion of the Jury to exhibits having received at least a Large Vermeil medal in appreciation of outstanding philatelic merit or exceptional material. These prizes shall not constitute an intermediate medal level.These special prices are placed at the disposal of the jury without the imposition of conditions.

Should official institutions or high dignitaries donate special prizes, any particular wishes expressed by the donor should be observed in making the award, if possible.

7.6 The jury may, in addition to the medal awarded, express felicitations for those exhibits demonstrating outstanding philatelic research or originality. Felicitations may not be given to the same exhibits twice unless a totally new aspect of research has been introduced.

Article 8 - F.I.P.-Medal

8.1 The F.I.P.-Medal may be awarded as per provision of Chapter IX of Statutes.