Environmental Health Engineering And Management Journal- Complaints and Appeals Policy Complaints and Appeals Policy Restore images and colors  | Last update: 2026/09/15 |  Complaints and Appeals Policy The Environmental Health Engineering and Management Journal (EHEMJ) is firmly committed to handling all complaints and appeals fairly, promptly, confidentially, and transparently, in strict accordance with the guidelines and core practices of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). Our objective is to maintain a secure, impartial, and trustworthy environment for all authors, reviewers, readers, and editorial board members. 1. Scope of Complaints and Appeals Any individual involved in the publication process may file a complaint or an appeal regarding, but not limited to, the following matters: Editorial Decisions and Peer Review: Appeals against manuscript rejection or requests for reconsideration of reviewers’ comments (strictly contingent upon the provision of robust scientific and methodological evidence refuting the reviewers' claims). Process Delays: Unjustified or prolonged delays in initial screening, the peer-review process, or the publication of accepted manuscripts. Publication Ethics: Reports of plagiarism, data fabrication or falsification, redundant/duplicate publication, or citation manipulation. Allegations of Misconduct: Reports of unprofessional behavior, bias, or ethical violations by authors, reviewers, or editorial board members. Conflicts of Interest: Concerns regarding undisclosed financial, personal, or institutional conflicts of interest in published articles or during the review process. Journal Staff Conduct: Complaints regarding inappropriate behavior, discrimination, or lack of responsiveness by the journal’s editorial office staff. 2. How to Submit a Complaint or Appeal To formally register a complaint or appeal, the complainant must send a structured email to the Editorial Office with the following details: Recipient: ehemjkmu.ac.ir, infoehemj.com, ehemjournalgmail.com Email Subject Line: The word "Complaint" or "Appeal", followed by the Manuscript ID (if applicable) and the manuscript title. Detailed Explanation: A clear, concise, and well-reasoned statement outlining the specific grounds for the complaint or appeal. Supporting Evidence: All relevant documents, files, or correspondence that substantiate the claim. Important Note: Appeals concerning editorial decisions (e.g., manuscript rejection) will only be considered if they are based on substantive scientific or methodological arguments. Appeals based solely on dissatisfaction with the outcome, without new scientific evidence, will not be entertained. 3. Review Process Acknowledgment of Receipt: The Editorial Office will acknowledge receipt of the complaint or appeal and issue a tracking number within 48 working hours. Initial Assessment: The Editor-in-Chief holds primary responsibility for overseeing the investigation. Crucial Provision: If the complaint is directed specifically at the Editor-in-Chief, the matter will be impartially handled by a senior, independent member of the Editorial Board or a designated representative of the Research Ethics Committee of Kerman University of Medical Sciences. Evaluation and Consultation: Where necessary, the Editor-in-Chief or the designated independent reviewer will consult with other editorial board members, independent external experts, or directly with COPE to ensure an objective and informed resolution. a. Final Response: The outcome of the investigation, along with a clear and reasoned justification, will be communicated to the complainant in writing. 4. Timeline for Resolution EHEMJ is committed to resolving all complaints and appeals as swiftly as possible, and no later than 30 working days from the date of acknowledgment. In highly complex cases requiring extended investigation, the Editorial Office will proactively inform the complainant of the delay and provide a revised timeline. 5. Final Decision and Right to Escalate The decision rendered by the Editor-in-Chief or the Editorial Board regarding complaints and appeals is considered final and binding within the journal’s internal processes. However, should the complainant believe that fundamental principles of publication ethics have been violated after exhausting the journal’s internal procedures, they retain the right to escalate the matter to the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) or the overarching institutional authority, namely the Vice Chancellor for Research and Technology at Kerman University of Medical Sciences.   Topic URL in Environmental Health Engineering And Management Journal website: http://ehemj.com/find-1.124.30.en.html Back to content primary page