Polish Red Cross is the national association of the International Red Cross within the meaning of the Geneva Convention for the Protection of Victims of War of 12 August 1949 (Journal of Laws No. 38, 1949) and the Additional Protocols to the Convention of 8 June 1977 (Journal of Laws No. 41, 1992). Red Cross operates under the Act of 16 November 1964 on the Polish Red Cross (Journal of Laws No. 41, 1964), the Statute confirmed by the Council of Ministers on 20 September 2011. (Journal of Laws No. 217, 2011). The internal rules of operation and specific competencies of particular offices are defined by the Association Rules approved by the National Council of Representatives of the Red Cross.