How to Submit a Grievance

Membership in The Society for Ethics in Egg Donation & Surrogacy (SEEDS) is voluntary. Our mission is to work collaboratively with members and peers to promote the highest ethical standards in the Assisted Reproductive Technology industry. While attorneys and medical professionals are licensed and regulated by individual states, only New York State currently regulates egg donation and surrogacy programs, SEEDS seeks to ensure that its members meet or exceed the Ethical Standards the organization has established.

To support this commitment, the SEEDS Grievance Committee provides a structured and fair pathway for professionals and consumers to raise concerns regarding potential violations of SEEDS Ethical Standards by current members or individuals applying for membership. Grievances must relate to a direct interaction or professional engagement and be submitted in good faith. While SEEDS accepts submissions from both members and non-members, not all grievances fall within the scope of what SEEDS can review. Confidential grievances may also be submitted; however, because confidentiality limits SEEDS’ ability to ensure accuracy and due process, such grievances are logged for record-keeping and trend awareness but are generally not actionable.  Professionals MAY NOT file a Confidential Grievance regarding Standard 20.

The Grievance Committee does not provide legal advice, cannot assist with preparing a grievance, and does not function as a court, regulatory or law enforcement body. The SEEDS Ethical Standards are not enforceable laws or regulations. Instead, the Committee’s role is to review eligible grievances in a confidential manner, ensure due process for all parties, and—when appropriate—request corrective action, resolution, or greater understanding where misunderstandings may have occurred.

SEEDS reviews grievances to determine whether they fall within our authority and meet basic eligibility requirements. A grievance may be accepted for review when:

  • It involves a current SEEDS member or an individual or business actively applying for SEEDS membership. Grievances filed against non-members will be logged but are not actionable.
  • It alleges a potential violation of SEEDS Ethical Standards
  • It relates to a direct interaction, transaction, or service-related engagement between the complainant and the member or applicant
  • The issue or most recent contact between the parties occurred within the past 12 months
  • The matter is not currently in litigation or pre-litigation (such as mediation, arbitration, or settlement negotiations) and has not already been resolved through those processes
  • The grievance is not retaliatory in nature, including complaints submitted in response to prior grievances, enforcement actions, or adverse determinations

Please note:
Only an attorney may submit a grievance on behalf of another individual or entity, and only with that party’s express written consent.
Confidential grievances may be logged for record-keeping and trend awareness but are not actionable.
SEEDS does not accept grievances based on pricing disputes, buyer’s remorse, or matters outside the scope of SEEDS standards.

To file a grievance with SEEDS:

  1. Determine if you are pursuing an Actionable or Confidential Grievance
    Actionable Grievances may not be filed by de-identified parties in order to allow for due process. Confidential Grievances provide full confidentiality to the filing party, but do not allow for due process so are strictly logged only for tracking and pattern purposes.
  2. Complete the appropriate SEEDS Grievance Submission Form
    All grievances must be submitted in writing using an official SEEDS form.
  3. Provide identifying information
    All grievances must include the complainant’s name and contact information to ensure fairness and due process. In the instance of confidential grievances, this information will be held in the strictest of confidence and will not be provided to the entity the grievance is alleged against.
  4. Describe the concern clearly
    Provide a factual description of the interaction or conduct at issue and identify the SEEDS standard(s) you believe may have been violated. If a specific SEEDS standard(s) is not identified the grievance will be dismissed.
  5. Submit supporting information (optional)
    You may attach relevant documents or witness statements if available.
  6. Submit in good faith
    By submitting a grievance, you affirm that the information provided is truthful to the best of your knowledge.

After submission, SEEDS will acknowledge receipt and review the grievance to determine whether it meets acceptance guidelines.

While timelines may vary depending on the complexity of a matter, a typical grievance process includes the following stages:

  1. Initial Review
    SEEDS reviews the submission to determine whether it meets eligibility and acceptance criteria.
  2. Notification
    If an actionable grievance is accepted, SEEDS notifies the individual or business named in the grievance and provides an opportunity to respond. If a confidential grievance is accepted, SEEDS notifies the individual or business named that a confidential grievance has been filed, which standard(s) is alleged to be violated but that no further action is necessary.
  3. Information Exchange
    For actionable grievances, both parties may submit written statements and supporting materials.
  4. Review and Evaluation
    The SEEDS Grievance Committee evaluates the information in accordance with SEEDS standards and governance procedures.
  5. Determination
    SEEDS determines whether the grievance is substantiated and what action, if any, is appropriate.
  6. Outcome Communication
    Both parties are notified in writing of the final outcome.

Some grievances may require additional review or leadership approval before a final decision is issued.

  • This process is not legal representation or legal advice. SEEDS does not act as a court, mediator, or advocate for either party.
  • Submitting a grievance does not guarantee a particular outcome or that corrective or disciplinary action will be taken. In the event a grievance is filed confidentially it is explicitly noted that there will be no outcome as confidential grievances are logged and action is only taken upon class action status being determined in the SEEDS Board’s sole discretion.
  • All submissions must be made in good faith. Knowingly false, misleading, or retaliatory complaints may themselves be grounds for action.
  • Confidentiality is required. Information related to a grievance may not be shared or publicly disclosed outside the review process.
  • Retaliation is prohibited. SEEDS strictly prohibits retaliation against individuals who submit grievances in good faith or participate in a grievance process.

By submitting a grievance, you acknowledge that you have read and understand these conditions.

Professionals MAY NOT file a Confidential Grievance regarding Standard 20.

Please note: The SEEDS Grievance Filing, Response, and Resolution Policy has been updated and adopted as outlined as of May 13, 2026.