The members of the Federation shall be national societies or sub-groups thereof and transnational organisations who have a major interest in the field of medical and biological engineering, who have applied for membership in the Federation and have been accepted by the General Assembly under the conditions set out in the Bylaws.
National societies or sub-groups thereof are those who represent national interests in medical and biological engineering. Ordinarily, only one such organisation in any country may become a member, however, under extraordinary circumstances, special cases of membership may be considered. Transnational organisations are those whose membership comprises:
a) individual members drawn from several countries and/or
b) national societies or sub-groups thereof and/or
c) groups of national societies from two or more countries.
A transnational organisation may be regional or have a wider membership but has significant activities beyond the border of any one country.
Special Cases
To resolve special cases, the General Assembly, upon the recommendation of the Administrative Council, may, by special resolution authorize admission of more than one adhering body from a single country.
Observers
On occasion, there may be difficulty in determining the eligibility of a Society for membership, or time may be necessary to consider the advantages or disadvantages of membership to the Society or to the Federation. Under these circumstances temporary status as an Observer Group can be given at the discretion of the Administrative Council, pending clarification, subject to the conditions laid down in the Bylaws.
Individual members
There are two situations when it might be well founded to accept an individual membership of the Federation;
1) There is no affiliated National Society of the country.
2) When the individual’s interest is outside of the scope of the National Society. Under these circumstances individual membership can be given at the discretion of the Administrative Council, pending clarification, subject to the conditions laid down in the Bylaws.
Honorary Life Members
Individuals who have rendered exceptional service to the Federation may have bestowed on them the title of Honorary Life Member.