The A.I.E.P. regards it as a fundamental principle that, in order to acquire and maintain the highest possible standard of philatelic knowledge, an expert must necessarily limit his activities to a particular field of expertise ("areas of specialisation") in which he is highly specialised and thus best qualified.
Each member's areas of specialisation shall be stated in the official list of members. If deemed necessary, the Board may reduce or otherwise limit a member's areas of specialisation.
Should a member subsequently wish to extend his areas of specialisation, he shall notify the President accordingly. The Board shall then decide whether the application for extension should be submitted for approval by the General Meeting. The General Meeting decides on such extensions of a member's areas of specialisation with a two-thirds majority of votes by the members present or represented.
Each member of the A.I.E.P. has the right to add the initials "A.I.E.P." after his name and to use the name and the English or French version of the official logo of the Association on letterheads, statements, certificates, guarantees, etc., provided that such statements, certificates and guarantees are issued exclusively in connection with the areas of specialisation for which the member is enrolled in the official list of members.
Members should generally refrain from acting as experts outside the fields of expertise indicated in the official list of members. Members are definitely not authorised to use either the name, initials or logo of the A.I.E.P. on any statements, certificates or guarantees for any philatelic items outside the approved fields of expertise indicated in the official list of members. If a member disregards this principle, he shall be liable for deletion from the membership list.