NISO Publishes Revised Transfer Code of Practice

Version 5.0 of the code aims to improve journal transfer process and access to content

Apr. 1, 2026 at 12:00am

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The National Information Standards Organization (NISO) has published a revised version of its Transfer Code of Practice, which helps ensure continuing access to journals when titles are transferred between publishers. The new Version 5.0 addresses community needs around open access titles and provides clearer language for readers.

Why it matters

The Transfer Code of Practice is an important industry standard that facilitates the smooth transfer of journal content between publishers, minimizing disruption for librarians, readers, and authors. This revision demonstrates NISO's commitment to evolving the code to meet the changing needs of the scholarly communications ecosystem.

The details

The Transfer Code of Practice is a NISO Recommended Practice that provides guidelines for publishers to follow when transferring journal titles. Version 5.0 includes updates to address the transfer of open access titles and refine the language to provide more clarity. Over 90 publishers have endorsed the code since it was first established in 2015. The Transfer Standing Committee, which includes representatives from major publishers, societies, libraries, and other stakeholders, led the revision process.

  • The Transfer Code of Practice Version 5.0 was published on March 31, 2026.

The players

NISO

The National Information Standards Organization, a nonprofit association that develops and maintains standards to support learning, research, and scholarship.

Sophia Anderton

Chief Executive of BJU International and co-chair of the NISO Transfer Standing Committee.

Émilie LaVallée-Funston

Head of Research Support (OA) at the Library Services, University of Bristol and co-chair of the NISO Transfer Standing Committee.

Todd Carpenter

NISO Executive Director.

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What they’re saying

“This has been a community effort with representatives from major publishers, societies, university presses, libraries, consortia, databases, serials resources, and consultants. We hope that the new version of the Code will support the whole of the research community so that there is a seamless service when journals transfer between publishers.”

— Sophia Anderton, Chief Executive, BJU International and co-chair of the Transfer Standing Committee

“The Transfer Code of Practice has become an indispensable tool in maintaining user access to content when it moves from one publisher to another.”

— Todd Carpenter, NISO Executive Director

What’s next

The revised Transfer Code of Practice Version 5.0 is now freely available on the NISO website for publishers, librarians, and other stakeholders to reference and implement.

The takeaway

The updated Transfer Code of Practice demonstrates NISO's commitment to maintaining industry standards that support the seamless transfer of journal content between publishers, ensuring continued access for readers, authors, and librarians in the evolving scholarly communications landscape.