The European Charter for Researchers is based on the assumption that researchers and those who employ and/or finance them have an absolute obligation to ensure compliance with the requirements of their national or regional legislation. If researchers benefit, for one or more aspects, from a more favorable status and rights than those provided for in the European Charter for Researchers, the provisions of the latter must not be invoked to unfavorably modify the status and rights already acquired.

Researchers, employers and funders who adopt the European Charter for Researchers are required to respect the fundamental rights and principles recognized by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.

Since the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers is complementary to the European Charter for Researchers, the rules above apply to it, too.