Section 17 (2) of the enabling legislation provides that the members and alternate members are appointed for a maximum term of six years and may be reappointed with immediate effect. In practice, the NIHR has started implementing an internal arrangement to appoint members for a three-year term renewable for a six-year term following a positive internal evaluation. 

An appropriate minimum term of appointment is crucial in promoting the independence of the membership of the NHRI, and to ensure the continuity of its programs and services. As a proven practice, the SCA encourages that a term of between three (3) and seven (7) years with the option to renew once be provided for in the NHRI’s enabling law. 

The SCA recommends that the NIHR advocate for amendments to its enabling law to provide for a fixed minimum term of appointment and length of renewal for members of the Board. 

The SCA refers to Paris Principles B.3 and to its General Observation 2.2 on ‘Full-time members of an NHRI.’