All national associations which have served two years with Fespa are now entitled to full voting rights on major issues affecting the federation for the screen, digital and textile printing sectors.

This was previously restricted to 27 European member associations but nine others, including those in China, Japan and India, meet the new criteria.

The new structure was approved unanimously by existing full member associations. The largest of those, including Germany and Italy, have also lost some of their voting power; national associations with more than 100 members previously had two votes, but all associations now have one.

Major changes to Fespa’s rules and regulations require approval from 90% of members.

Fespa chief executive Nigel Steffens said the change had been discussed for some time, particularly at the organisation’s 2011 general assembly in Budapest, and reflected Fespa’s status as a "democratic", member-owned body.

He also said the changes would have no impact on the locations of Fespa’s exhibitions, which are regularly held in developing markets already (its next global event takes place in London in June 2013), or on the allocation of funding.