The national research ethics committees are an institution whose main task is to promote ethical reflection and assessment in research. The committees work to ensure that research projects in Norway follow ethical guidelines and standards, and they give advice to researchers, institutions and authorities. This helps to strengthen trust in the research and ensure consideration for the participants in research projects.
The institution consists of several committees covering various subject areas, including medicine, social sciences and natural sciences. Each committee considers ethical issues related to research in its specific field. The national research ethics committees also have an important role in informing about ethical issues and challenges, as well as contributing to the development of national and international research ethics.