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NHG Health Office of Human Research Protection Programme (OHRPP)
Announcements

Guidance on Administrative Modifications Due to Rebranding

31 July 2025

Find out which rebranding-related changes to research documents do not need an IRB amendment, and how to document them properly.

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In tandem with the NHG Health rebranding initiative, OHRPP is assessing how the changes will affect research activities and ECOS access.

Purely administrative changes to research documents arising from the rebranding exercise WILL NOT require IRB amendment submissions.

Guidance on Administrative Modifications Due to Rebranding

  1. Changes Not Requiring IRB Amendment

For active studies, no Amendment (AMD) submission to the IRB is required if changes are strictly limited to:

  • Cluster logo and name updates (e.g. NHG to NHG Health)

  • Website hyperlink modifications

  • Contact email address revisions

  • Other rebranding-related administrative changes in (list is non-exhaustive):

    • Participant Information Sheet

    • Informed Consent Form

    • Recruitment Materials

  1. Documentation Requirements

Research teams must maintain proper documentation by either:

a)        Keeping a tracked changes version showing the modifications made, OR

b)       Creating a file note in the investigator file documenting all administrative revisions

  1. Subject Notification

  •  Study teams have discretion to determine if existing subjects need to be informed of these administrative changes

  • This decision should be based on the practical impact these changes may have on subject participation and communication

  1. (New) Notifying IRB at point of Study Renewal

  • When submitting your Study Status Report (SSR), if the study has updated study documents or ICFs that have new version numbers or dates due to NHG rebranding, please include this statement in Section 5(b)(i):

    • “Changes to the ICF reflect NHG rebranding updates only. No content modifications were made."

  • This clarification will help expedite IRB review by confirming that study document or ICF changes are administrative rather than substantive.

  1. Important Notes

  • This guidance applies only to purely administrative changes related to rebranding

  • Any other protocol modifications still require standard IRB amendment procedures

  • Teams should ensure all updated contact information remains functional during the transition

OHRPP is reviewing the impact on ECOS access to studies and will update again.

If you have any questions on the above, please write in to nhggroup.OHRPP@nhghealth.com.sg (opens in new tab)

 Click here for more information in ECOS: Announcements (opens in new tab)