章程 (zhāng chéng) refers to formal, written rules that govern the internal operations of an organization—such as a company, association, school, or club. Literally, 章 means 'chapter' or 'article', and 程 means 'procedure' or 'standard'; together, they convey the idea of codified, systematic regulations. These documents typically outline membership requirements, decision-making processes, leadership structure, and operational principles.

Unlike general laws (法律), which are enacted by governments, 章程 are self-drafted and binding only within the specific organization. They must comply with national law but reflect the group’s unique purpose and values. You’ll commonly encounter 章程 when registering a nonprofit, joining a professional society, or reviewing corporate governance documents in China. It’s a formal, legal-adjacent term—not used in casual speech—and appears frequently in official notices, registration forms, and organizational websites.