Certification Mark and Logo Use: Rules for Certified Organizations
Your certificate is worth promoting. These rules explain how certified organizations may use the Accredify Global certification mark and the UAF accreditation symbol, and where they must not appear. They keep every claim accurate and within your certified scope.
Why Certification Mark Rules Matter
A management system certificate says your system meets a standard. It does not certify your products. Mark-use rules stop a certificate from being presented as more than it is. That protects your customers, your reputation, and the value of every certificate we issue. ISO/IEC 17021-1 and UAF rules require us to set and enforce them.
The full terms below are part of your certification agreement. The quick guide that follows summarizes them, but the terms always take precedence.
Where You Can and Cannot Use the Certification Mark
A summary of the terms below. If in doubt, ask us before you publish.
You may use it
- On stationery, brochures, and your website, for the certified scope
- In advertising directly related to the certified activities
- With the UAF symbol, the standard, and your certificate number together
You may not use it
- On a product, or on product packaging
- On laboratory test, calibration, or inspection reports
- For sites, activities, or dates outside your certificate
- For ISO 22000 and food safety certification, on any packaging at all
- After suspension, withdrawal, or expiry of the certificate
Terms and Conditions for Mark and Logo Use
Terms and Conditions for Use of Accredify Global Logo / Certification Mark
Use of the UAF Logo & AG Certification Mark is subject to the conditions detailed below:
- Where UAF Logo & AG Certification Mark is used, the client shall ensure:
(a) That they are used together, not in isolation and not disproportionately represented, and positioned in a manner that ensures the relationship between the UAF and the AG Certification Mark along with the Standard and Certification No.
- Use shall be restricted to correspondence, advertising, and promotional material that is directly applicable to the scope of registration as shown on the Registration Schedule.
- The UAF Logo shall not be used in such a way to suggest that United Accreditation Foundation (UAF), or any government minister, has certified or approved the client’s activities, or in any other misleading manner.
- The UAF Logo must be as per UAF Guidelines, with the wording clearly visible.
- Use shall be such that there is no implication that the goods or services themselves are approved by AG.
- Use of the Accredify Global Certification Mark
The Accredify Global Certification Mark issued under a management system certification program:
- may be used on stationery, literature, websites and publicity material directly related to the certified scope;
- shall not be used on a product or in any manner that could imply product, process or service certification;
- shall not be used on laboratory test reports, calibration reports, inspection reports or certificates;
- shall not be used outside the scope, sites, activities or validity period shown on the certificate; and
- shall be used only in accordance with these requirements, the Certification Agreement & Rules and applicable UAF requirements.
- Special Requirements for ISO 22000 and FSMS Certification
For ISO 22000 and other food safety management system certifications governed by ISO 22003-1, the certified organization shall not place the Accredify Global Certification Mark, the UAF accreditation symbol or any statement that it has a certified FSMS on a product or any product packaging.
Product packaging includes primary packaging containing the product and any secondary, outer or transportation packaging. Certification references shall not be used in any manner that could imply that Accredify Global LLC or UAF has certified or approved a food product, process or service.
Note: The table below provides guidance on the use of certification/ registration marks for indicating when a product has been made under a certified/ registered management system. The special requirements for ISO 22000 and FSMS certification in clause 7 apply to all product packaging.
| Use of Marks *3 | On Product *1 | On larger boxes etc. used for transportation of products *2 | In Pamphlets etc. for advertisement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Without a statement | Not allowed | Not allowed | Allowed *5 |
| With a statement *4 | Not allowed | Not allowed | Allowed *5 |
*1. This could be a tangible product itself or product in an individual package container etc.
*2. This applies to marks that have a specific form including some basic description of its applicability. A statement in words alone does not constitute a mark in this sense. Any such wording should be true and not mislead.
*3. The statement includes reference to identification (e.g. brand or name) of the certified client, type of management system (e.g. QMS/EMS/OHSMS/ISMS/MDQMS) and the applicable standard; the AG issuing the certificate. Rules governing the use of any statement on product packaging or in accompanying information that the client has a certified management system. Product packaging is considered as that which can be removed without the product disintegrating or being damaged. Accompanying information is considered as separately available or easily detachable. Type labels or identification plates are considered as part of the product. The statement shall in no way imply that the product, process or service is certified by this means. For ISO 22000 and FSMS certification governed by ISO 22003-1, the prohibition in clause 7 applies to certification marks, accreditation symbols and statements of certified FSMS status on products and all product packaging.
*4 The marks shall not be applied to laboratory test, calibration or inspection reports.
*5 The client shall not use reference to its management system certification in such a way as to imply that AG certifies a product (including service) or process.
*6. The use of certification marks and accreditation symbols shall comply with ISO/IEC 17021-1, the current UAF requirements, the Certification Agreement & Rules and instructions issued by Accredify Global LLC.
*7. Noncompliance with Mark-Use Requirements
Misuse of the Accredify Global Certification Mark, UAF accreditation symbol, certificate or certification reference may result in a request for immediate correction, suspension or withdrawal of certification, publication of the changed certification status and any other action available under the Certification Agreement & Rules and applicable law.
*8. Protection of Accredify Global Trademarks
The Accredify Global name, logo and associated marks are registered trademarks with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Unauthorized use, reproduction, alteration or imitation of these marks is prohibited.
Accredify Global LLC reserves the right to require immediate discontinuation of unauthorized or misleading use and to take appropriate action under the Certification Agreement & Rules and applicable United States trademark law.
U.S. Trademark Registration No. 8,399,387
Client Acceptance
The certified organization confirms that it has read, understood and accepted these requirements and agrees to comply with them throughout the validity of certification.
Upon suspension, withdrawal, expiry, cancellation or reduction of certification scope, the certified organization shall immediately discontinue or amend all affected certification claims, advertising materials, websites, social-media content and use of the Accredify Global Certification Mark or UAF accreditation symbol, as directed by Accredify Global LLC.
The organization understands that noncompliance may result in corrective action, suspension or withdrawal of certification in accordance with the Certification Agreement & Rules and applicable certification procedures.
Authorized Signature
Of the company representative on all the pages
With Company’s stamp.
EXAMPLE:
UAF
Certification Mark Use: Common Questions
Can we put the certification mark on our products?
No. A management system certificate does not certify products, so the mark and the UAF symbol must not appear on products or product packaging.
Can we use the mark on our website?
Yes, where it relates directly to the certified scope. Show it with the UAF symbol, the standard and your certificate number.
Are there special rules for ISO 22000?
Yes. For ISO 22000 and other food safety management system certification, the mark, the UAF symbol and any statement of certified FSMS status must not appear on products or any product packaging.
Can the mark go on our test reports or certificates?
No. It must not be used on laboratory test, calibration or inspection reports, or on certificates.
What happens if our certificate is suspended?
You must immediately stop or amend all claims, materials and uses of the mark affected by the change, as we direct.
What happens if the mark is misused?
We may require immediate correction, suspend or withdraw certification and publish the changed status, and take other action under the Certification Agreement and applicable law.
Check Before You Publish
Send us your draft artwork or web page and we will confirm whether your use of the mark meets the rules.
Book a free scoping review →Last reviewed by the Accredify Global certification team.