Governance & Ethics Manual
Section 04 · GEM

Member Code of Conduct

The standards every CTCA member agrees to uphold — fostering a trading card industry built on trust, transparency, integrity, professionalism, and collaboration.

Version 1.0 Effective July 11, 2026

Purpose

The Certified Trading Card Association ("CTCA") exists to advance a trading card industry built on trust, transparency, integrity, professionalism, and collaboration. Every member plays a vital role in fostering a safe, ethical, and inclusive environment for collectors, businesses, and the broader hobby community.

By joining the CTCA, members agree to uphold this Code of Conduct and conduct themselves in a manner that reflects positively on both the Association and the trading card industry.

Core Principles

Ten Principles Every Member Upholds

Integrity
Honesty
Transparency
Fair Competition
Respect
Accountability
Professionalism
Collaboration
Consumer Protection
Continuous Improvement

Member Expectations

Ten Expectations of Membership

Every member agrees to the following standards of conduct.

Members shall conduct all business activities truthfully, ethically, and in good faith. This includes:

  • Honest advertising
  • Accurate product descriptions
  • Fair pricing practices
  • Honoring agreements
  • Avoiding deceptive practices

Conduct, Enforcement & Process

Additional Provisions

Members are encouraged to communicate responsibly online. Members should:

  • Engage respectfully
  • Avoid harassment or personal attacks
  • Verify information before sharing
  • Correct misinformation when appropriate
  • Represent CTCA accurately when speaking on its behalf

Unless authorized, members may not imply they are speaking for the CTCA.