Both the members of the Editorial Board and the reviewers will refrain from evaluating the submitted manuscripts in the case that a conflict of interest arises, related either to the author or to the content of the papers. To ensure compliance with this requirement, reviewers are asked to report the possible existence of a conflict of interest at the beginning of the blind peer review process, in which case they must expressly waive the acceptance to review the paper.

As indicated in the journal's Ethics Statement, reviewers will decline in the following cases:

• When there is a personal relationship between an author and a reviewer.
• When there has been a recent and significant professional collaboration between reviewers and authors.
• When an editor or reviewer is a collaborator in the project submitted.
• When the editor or reviewer has a financial interest in a company with an interest in the proposal.
• When the editor or reviewer considers that he/she cannot be objective, either for personal interests or for other reasons.

In addition, this journal will take special care to ensure that no competing interests arise throughout the various stages of evaluation.