ICEQC-CER-001 — General Rules for ICEQC Education Quality Certification Schemes

This document is ICEQC-CER-001, General Rules for ICEQC Education Quality Certification Schemes.

It may be cited in an ICEQC certification scheme, certification agreement, assessment report, certification decision or public certification record as ICEQC-CER-001.

The purpose of this document is to establish uniform rules for the development, operation and control of ICEQC education quality certification schemes.

The rules are intended to ensure that:

ICEQC owns this document and is responsible for its interpretation, maintenance and controlled publication.

This document applies to every ICEQC education quality certification scheme unless an express provision in this document limits its application.

An ICEQC scheme specification may establish requirements additional to this document where they are necessary for the nature, risk, scale or technical characteristics of the certification object.

An additional scheme requirement shall not:

Where an applicable ICEQC document contains a more specific rule for the same matter, the more specific rule governs to the extent of the matter addressed, provided that it does not reduce the minimum controls in this document.

ICEQC certification is a voluntary third-party determination that a defined certification object fulfils all applicable ICEQC requirements within a stated certification scope.

Certification is based on evidence available for assessment and on the methods, sampling and limitations recorded for the certification activity.

Certification does not constitute an unlimited assurance concerning every activity, legal obligation, financial condition, educational result, premises, item of equipment, person, product characteristic or event associated with the certified client.

Certification applies only to the object, scope, edition, modules, sites, delivery modes, product versions, learner groups and period expressly identified in the certification documents and public register.

No person shall represent a matter outside the certification scope, not evaluated by ICEQC or reserved by law to another authority as having been confirmed by ICEQC.

Certification remains the responsibility of ICEQC. Payment of fees, membership, participation in training, use of an ICEQC platform or completion of an application does not create a right to certification.

ICEQC certification does not grant, replace or imply:

The applicant and certified client remain responsible for identifying and fulfilling all obligations applicable to their activities, locations, learners, products and claims.

ICEQC may consider recognized external evidence concerning a specialist or legally controlled matter only to the extent necessary to evaluate education quality controls within the certification scope.

Reliance on recognized external evidence does not transfer responsibility for that evidence to ICEQC and does not convert the ICEQC certificate into an approval of the specialist matter.

Where a proper certification conclusion cannot be made without an unverified specialist conclusion, ICEQC shall exclude that matter from the scope, require acceptable independent evidence or decline certification.

Every ICEQC certification activity shall be governed by:

Commercial, financial, membership, referral, political or reputational considerations shall not override an applicable requirement or alter a conformity conclusion.

ICEQC shall not promise, guarantee or imply a positive certification outcome before the certification decision is made.

An applicant shall have a fair opportunity to understand the requirements, present relevant evidence, respond to findings and use the applicable appeal process.

Procedural fairness does not require ICEQC to accept unreliable evidence, postpone protective action or certify an object that does not fulfil all applicable requirements.

Each applicable assessment unit shall be determined only as conforming or nonconforming.

A requirement may be recorded as not applicable only where the entire assessment unit is objectively unrelated to the certification object and scope and the basis is recorded and confirmed by ICEQC.

Conformity shall not be determined by:

A positive certification decision may be made only after:

An opportunity for improvement is not a conformity grade and shall not be used to delay certification where all requirements conform.

In this document:

applicant — an organization or person that applies for certification and accepts responsibility for the certification object, certification scope, submitted information and continuing conformity.

appeal — a request by an applicant or certified client for independent reconsideration of a specified ICEQC decision affecting its certification application, scope or status.

assessment — the planned activities used to collect and evaluate evidence concerning fulfilment of applicable certification requirements.

assessment evidence — information relevant to an applicable requirement and capable of being verified.

assessment programme — the set of assessment activities arranged for an application or certification cycle.

assessment unit — the smallest requirement or defined group of requirements for which ICEQC records a conformity conclusion.

assessor — a person authorized by ICEQC to perform assessment activities.

certificate — a controlled statement issued by ICEQC following a positive certification decision.

certification agreement — the legally enforceable agreement governing certification activities and the rights and obligations of ICEQC and the client.

certification cycle — the period beginning with a certification or renewal decision and ending at the stated expiry date, unless certification ends earlier.

certification decision — an authorized determination to grant, refuse, maintain, renew, extend, reduce, suspend, restore, withdraw or terminate certification.

certification object — an organization, service, process, programme, digital service, product, defined claim, person or defined combination evaluated under an applicable ICEQC certification scheme.

certification requirement — a requirement, including an object requirement or a client obligation, that is required to be fulfilled as a condition of certification.

certification scheme — the published ICEQC rules and procedures applying to a defined class of certification objects and specified ICEQC requirements.

certification scope — the exact boundary of certification, including the certification object, responsible client, activities, learner groups, locations, delivery modes, platforms, versions, models, jurisdictions, roles and stated exclusions.

certified client — an applicant for which ICEQC has issued and maintains certification.

competence — demonstrated ability to apply knowledge and skills to achieve intended results.

complaint — an expression of dissatisfaction, other than an appeal, to which a response is expected.

conformity — fulfilment of an applicable requirement.

controlled information — information required to operate, demonstrate, assess, decide, monitor or verify certification and the medium on which it is maintained.

correction — action taken to eliminate a detected nonconformity or remedy its direct effect.

corrective action — action taken to eliminate or control the cause of a nonconformity and prevent recurrence.

decision maker — a person authorized by ICEQC to make a certification decision and not involved in the assessment on which the decision is based.

external provider — a person or organization that performs an activity, supplies a component or provides evidence for or on behalf of an applicant, certified client or ICEQC.

impartiality — the presence of objectivity, including effective control of conflicts of interest and improper influence.

recognized external evidence — evidence produced outside ICEQC and the applicant by a provider whose identity, competence, authority, independence, method and reported scope have been found suitable for the matter for which the evidence is used.

major change — a change or event capable of affecting certification scope, applicable requirements, the reliability of earlier evidence, continuing conformity or the accuracy of a certification claim.

nonconformity — failure to fulfil an applicable requirement.

opportunity for improvement — a non-mandatory observation that may assist improvement but does not state or imply nonconformity.

public register — the authoritative ICEQC-controlled service through which current certification scope, status and validity may be verified.

remote evidence assessment — assessment conducted without an ICEQC assessor being physically present at the applicant's location.

scheme owner — ICEQC in its capacity as the organization responsible for developing, approving, maintaining and controlling an ICEQC certification scheme.

surveillance — planned or event-driven certification activity used to determine whether the basis for certification remains valid throughout the certification cycle.

technical expert — a person who provides specific knowledge or expertise to an assessment or review team and does not independently make a certification decision unless separately authorized for that role.

technical review — independent consideration of the suitability, adequacy and effectiveness of the assessment activities, evidence, findings and proposed conclusion before a certification decision.

witnessed activity — an activity observed by ICEQC in real time or through another controlled method sufficient to verify performance and context.

The word shall states a requirement.

The word may states a permission.

The word including introduces a non-exhaustive list.

A reference to a day means a calendar day unless business day is expressly stated.

A requirement applying to an applicant also applies to a certified client where the context concerns continuing certification.

ICEQC shall maintain a common certification system consisting of:

The applicable certification requirements for an application are the combined requirements identified in the accepted certification scope and application confirmation.

A scheme shall distinguish clearly between:

Public guidance shall not add an undisclosed mandatory requirement.

Internal procedures shall not be used to impose a substantive certification requirement that is absent from the published scheme documents.

These General Rules govern scheme architecture, common certification conditions, public claims and system integrity. ICEQC-CER-002 governs remote evidence methods and unresolved evidence limitations. ICEQC-CER-003 governs nonconformity, corrective action, certification decision, appeal, surveillance and certification status. A detailed procedure shall be applied within its stated subject matter without displacing a protection established by these General Rules.

An ICEQC scheme may apply to:

A scheme shall identify the class of certification object and shall not use one class to imply certification of another.

Certification of an organization does not, by itself, certify every course, service, product, location or person associated with that organization.

Certification of a service does not, by itself, certify the applicant's complete management system or every service it provides.

Certification of a product or product function does not, by itself, certify the manufacturer, every product model, physical safety, legal market access or every educational result.

Certification of a claim applies only to the wording, data, method, population, conditions, version and period included in the verified claim.

Certification of a person shall be conducted only under a scheme that specifies competence requirements, assessment methods, renewal, impartiality and use of the credential.

Each ICEQC certification scheme shall have a controlled scheme specification.

The scheme specification shall contain, at minimum, the information in Schedule 1.

The specification shall define:

A scheme shall be sufficiently complete to permit comparable cases to be handled consistently without undisclosed discretionary thresholds.

A scheme may permit alternative evidence or implementation methods, but shall not permit alternative conformity thresholds.

ICEQC is the owner of every ICEQC certification scheme.

ICEQC retains responsibility for:

ICEQC may obtain technical work or administrative support from an external provider, but shall not transfer ownership, accountability for certification or control of certification decisions.

A contract with an external provider shall define scope, competence, impartiality, confidentiality, information security, records, monitoring, access and termination requirements.

Before a new scheme is approved, ICEQC shall establish:

Scheme development shall involve persons competent in the education domain, the relevant technology or service, certification methodology, learner protection and any other material risk.

ICEQC shall seek proportionate input from affected interested parties, which may include learners, families, education providers, purchasers, educators, technical specialists and public-interest representatives.

Interested-party input is advisory. No interested party, funding source, applicant group or commercial function may control the conformity threshold or certification decision rules.

A proposed scheme shall be validated using representative certification objects, evidence conditions and foreseeable edge cases before routine certification begins.

Validation shall confirm that:

A certification scheme shall not become operational until it has been:

Publication shall identify:

A draft, trial, consultation or withdrawn scheme shall not be represented as an operative basis for certification.

The public scheme information shall be sufficient for an applicant to understand the certification object, scope, requirements, principal process, decision model, certificate cycle, claims permitted and certification limitations.

ICEQC may issue a controlled interpretation where a published provision is capable of materially different application.

An interpretation shall:

An interpretation shall not create a new requirement that properly requires amendment of the scheme.

A case-specific technical judgement shall be recorded with its facts and rationale and shall not automatically become a general interpretation.

Access to an ICEQC scheme shall be open to applicants whose proposed certification object falls within the published scope of the scheme and for which ICEQC has the competence and capacity to perform the required activities.

ICEQC shall not discriminate improperly on the basis of size, location, legal form, language, business model, membership or prior commercial relationship.

ICEQC may establish lawful and proportionate eligibility conditions concerning:

An eligibility condition shall relate to the integrity or feasibility of certification and shall not be used to exclude an applicant merely because certification may be difficult.

Before application, ICEQC shall make available information sufficient to explain:

General pre-application information may explain requirements and acceptable evidence but shall not:

An application shall be submitted by a person authorized to bind the applicant.

The application shall contain the minimum information in Schedule 2 and any additional information required by the applicable scheme.

The applicant shall:

An omission or uncertainty shall be identified as such. Information shall not be presented as verified fact where the applicant does not have a reasonable basis.

The applicant remains responsible for information submitted by an employee, adviser, platform operator, franchisee, partner or other person acting on its behalf.

ICEQC shall review an application before accepting it.

The review shall determine whether:

ICEQC may request clarification or amendment of the proposed scope before acceptance.

Acceptance of an application confirms only that ICEQC is prepared to begin certification activities. It does not confirm conformity or create a right to a certificate.

ICEQC shall notify the applicant whether the application is accepted, conditionally accepted, requires clarification or is refused.

A conditional acceptance shall state the condition and its required fulfilment date.

ICEQC may refuse or close an application where:

Refusal or closure shall state the principal reason and whether a new application may be made.

A refusal based on nonconformity, integrity or scope is appealable. A refusal based solely on absence of ICEQC capacity is subject to complaint review but does not require ICEQC to accept work it cannot competently perform.

Before assessment begins, ICEQC and the applicant shall enter into a legally enforceable certification agreement.

The agreement shall require the applicant and certified client to:

The agreement shall authorize ICEQC to:

The agreement shall not permit ICEQC to disclose confidential information beyond the provisions of Part 14.

Fees shall be determined by the scope, complexity, risk, assessment effort, technical needs, number of sites, language and other legitimate resource factors.

Fees shall not be determined by:

ICEQC shall disclose:

Assessment fees may remain payable where certification is refused or an application is terminated, provided that the fees reflect work performed and the disclosed terms.

Non-payment may pause or terminate certification activity but shall not convert a nonconforming result into a conforming result or prevent ICEQC from taking urgent protective action.

ICEQC shall assign a unique case identifier to each accepted application.

The certification case shall identify:

Access to the certification case shall be restricted according to assigned responsibility and need.

A person shall not alter a finding, review or decision record without authorization, traceability and preservation of the prior record.

ICEQC shall identify the official communication channel and authorized contacts for the certification case.

A material instruction, evidence request, scope confirmation, finding, decision or status change shall be communicated in controlled form.

The applicant shall notify ICEQC promptly when an authorized contact changes.

Translation, interpretation or accessibility support may be used where required, provided that:

Informal discussion does not amend a published requirement, accepted scope, finding or decision unless confirmed in the controlled certification record.

The certification object shall be defined before the assessment programme is finalized.

The definition shall identify:

The object definition shall be consistent with actual operations, contracts, public information and submitted evidence.

A marketing category, brand family or broad corporate description is not sufficient where it does not identify what ICEQC is expected to certify.

The certification scope shall be stated in terms that a reasonable user can understand without relying on undisclosed information.

The scope shall be neither broader nor narrower than the activities and evidence evaluated.

The scope shall not use words such as all, complete, global, safe, approved, guaranteed or equivalent expressions unless the literal meaning is supported by the certification object and every applicable requirement.

An exclusion shall:

ICEQC may require the scope to be divided where different objects, sites, versions or delivery modes require materially different requirements or evidence.

ICEQC shall determine the applicable requirements using the accepted object, scope and triggering conditions in the applicable scheme.

The applicability determination shall identify:

The applicant shall be given the applicability determination before substantive assessment and may provide relevant correction or clarification.

A requirement applies to an activity that the applicant controls, provides, commissions, claims or materially influences, including an activity performed by an affiliate, franchisee, contractor, platform or other external provider.

Outsourcing, licensing, distribution, partnership or separation into another legal entity shall not, by itself, make a requirement inapplicable.

An assessment unit may be determined not applicable only where the whole unit is objectively unrelated to the certification object and scope.

Where only part of an assessment unit is inapplicable, every remaining applicable part shall be fulfilled.

A not-applicable determination shall:

Not applicable is not a waiver, concession, score adjustment or corrective action.

ICEQC may revise a not-applicable determination if assessment evidence shows that the activating condition exists.

The depth of control and evidence shall be proportionate to:

Proportionate application may permit:

Proportionate application shall not reduce required outcomes for:

ICEQC shall not require duplicate information solely because requirements are stated separately.

The applicant shall identify legal, professional, technical and specialist matters material to the certification scope.

Where a current authorization or specialist determination is required for lawful operation or for a material certification claim, the applicant shall provide evidence of its scope, status and validity.

ICEQC shall evaluate:

ICEQC shall not independently declare conformity with a specialist requirement outside its scheme and demonstrated competence.

The applicant may request amendment of the proposed scope before the certification decision.

ICEQC shall review whether the amendment changes:

A material expansion shall not be accepted without completion of the additional assessment, review and decision activities required.

A reduction shall not be used to remove a nonconforming activity while continuing to make a claim that reasonably includes that activity.

The final scope shall be confirmed before technical review.

ICEQC shall establish an assessment programme appropriate to the certification object, proposed scope, applicable requirements and certification stage.

The assessment programme shall identify:

The programme shall be revised where new information changes the risk, scope, applicability, feasibility or evidence needs.

A revision shall be communicated to affected persons and recorded with its reason.

ICEQC shall determine assessment depth without altering the conformity threshold.

Assessment depth shall respond to:

Risk information may determine sample size, method, competence, duration, surveillance frequency and the need for direct confirmation.

Risk information shall not be converted into a public quality score, applicant ranking or tier of certification.

An internal risk classification is an assessment-planning control only and shall not be represented as the applicant's certification level.

Initial certification shall ordinarily include:

ICEQC may combine stages where:

A readiness review may identify missing information or evident implementation gaps but shall not issue a certification conclusion.

Completion of readiness review does not prevent substantive assessment from identifying additional nonconformities.

ICEQC may use one or more of the methods in Schedule 3.

Assessment methods may include:

The method shall be selected according to the requirement and evidence needed, not according to applicant preference alone.

Evidence of documented arrangements shall be supplemented by evidence of implementation where the requirement concerns actual operation.

A statement, policy or demonstration prepared only for certification is not sufficient where continuing operation is required to be established.

ICEQC certification assessment shall be planned and conducted on a remote-first basis.

ICEQC does not require an ICEQC assessor to conduct an on-site inspection as a routine or mandatory component of certification.

Remote-first assessment may include live and asynchronous methods, provided that authenticity, context, security and sufficiency are controlled.

Before relying on a remote method, ICEQC shall determine whether:

Where a remote method cannot provide sufficient confidence, ICEQC shall:

ICEQC shall not lower an applicable requirement or accept a weaker decision rule because a matter is difficult to verify remotely.

The assessment report shall identify the remote methods used and any material limitation affecting the conclusion.

ICEQC shall provide an assessment plan before a scheduled substantive assessment activity.

The plan shall identify, as applicable:

The plan may preserve the confidentiality of exact samples, interview selections, test cases or integrity methods where advance disclosure could impair evidence reliability.

A necessary change during assessment may be made by the assessment team leader, provided that the reason and effect are communicated and recorded.

ICEQC shall request evidence by reference to the applicable requirement, evidence purpose or defined information category.

An evidence request shall be proportionate and shall avoid unnecessary duplication.

ICEQC may require:

The applicant may propose alternative evidence where the requested form is unavailable, provided that the alternative addresses the same evidence purpose.

ICEQC shall determine whether alternative evidence is sufficient.

ICEQC shall not require creation of a new document solely to match an ICEQC template where existing controlled information demonstrates the requirement.

The assessment shall consider a period sufficient to demonstrate established and continuing operation.

Unless the applicable scheme provides otherwise, the ordinary evidence period for initial certification is the most recent 12 months or the full period of operation where the object has operated for less than 12 months.

An object with a shorter operational history may be certified only where:

Historical evidence may be considered to understand trends, recurring failures, major changes or corrective action.

Evidence outside the ordinary period shall not be used to conceal a current failure.

Sampling shall be planned to obtain evidence that is sufficiently representative and risk-responsive for the assessment objective.

ICEQC shall control the selection of samples.

Sampling may be random, systematic, judgemental, risk-based or a documented combination.

In selecting samples, ICEQC shall consider:

The applicant shall provide the population information necessary for ICEQC to select samples.

The applicant shall not substitute, withhold or alter a selected sample without disclosing the reason.

Where a selected sample is unavailable, ICEQC shall determine whether to select a replacement, treat the unavailability as an evidence limitation or raise a finding.

A sample does not guarantee absence of nonconformity outside the sample. A material indication of wider failure shall be followed to a sufficient extent.

ICEQC shall appoint an assessment team collectively competent for the certification object, applicable requirements, assessment methods, learner context and material risks.

The team may consist of one assessor where one person possesses all required competence and impartiality conditions.

The assessment team leader is responsible for:

A technical expert shall work under the direction of an assessor and shall not independently issue a conformity conclusion unless also authorized as an assessor for that activity.

ICEQC shall confirm the identity and role of material participants.

A participant providing evidence shall have appropriate knowledge of, responsibility for or access to the matter addressed.

The applicant may have a representative present, but shall not:

Contact with a minor or vulnerable person shall occur only under an approved safeguarding, consent and privacy arrangement.

ICEQC may exclude a person from an assessment activity where that person's conduct compromises safety, confidentiality, independence or evidence reliability.

At the beginning of a scheduled substantive assessment, ICEQC shall confirm:

Opening communication may be proportionate to the scale and form of the assessment but shall be recorded.

Evidence shall be collected by methods capable of producing relevant, sufficient and reliable information.

The assessment team shall evaluate:

Evidence shall be corroborated where a single source is insufficient or where reliability is in doubt.

Oral statements may support evidence but shall not replace required records or objective demonstration where these are reasonably expected.

Absence of a complaint, incident or failure record is not by itself evidence that none occurred. ICEQC may test the completeness of the reporting environment.

Conflicting evidence shall be investigated to the extent necessary for a defensible conclusion.

ICEQC may review controlled information in its original system, through controlled copies or through another reliable access method.

Where copies are submitted, ICEQC may require:

An applicant shall identify redaction or omitted content and explain its basis.

A redaction shall not remove information necessary to determine conformity. ICEQC may establish a more restricted review method where lawful confidentiality requires it.

A record created after the fact shall be identified as reconstructed and shall not be represented as contemporaneous.

Interviews shall be used where they can verify responsibility, competence, implementation, experience, consistency or awareness.

ICEQC shall determine the interview sample and may request private discussion where appropriate and lawful.

Interview questions shall relate to the certification criteria and shall be conducted respectfully, without intimidation or discriminatory treatment.

The assessment team shall distinguish:

An isolated interview inconsistency shall be evaluated in context and shall not automatically constitute nonconformity.

A pattern of inconsistent, coached or implausible responses may require expanded sampling or an integrity review.

A live demonstration or witnessed activity shall be planned to observe the function, process, interaction or control relevant to an applicable requirement.

ICEQC may require:

A staged demonstration shall be identified and shall not replace evidence of normal operation where normal operation is required.

A recording may supplement but shall not automatically replace a live witnessed activity.

Where a recording is used, ICEQC shall consider its date, continuity, editing, context, source, consent and relationship to the certification object.

Remote visual review may be used to examine a location, item, activity or arrangement where the visual method can achieve the assessment objective.

The assessment team may direct:

Remote visual review shall not be represented as a specialist inspection where the method, competence or access is insufficient for that conclusion.

Material blind spots, disconnections, selective access or inability to verify location shall be recorded and resolved before reliance.

ICEQC may accept recognized external evidence in accordance with Schedule 8.

Acceptance depends on the evidence, source, method, scope, date, object and intended use.

ICEQC shall not accept a report or certificate solely because it appears formal or contains a logo, seal, signature or registration number.

ICEQC may verify recognized external evidence directly with the issuer or through an authoritative verification facility.

Acceptance of evidence does not require ICEQC to adopt an opinion or conclusion beyond the scope for which the evidence is competent and relevant.

Where the evidence is expired, suspended, altered, unverifiable, outside scope or inconsistent with observed conditions, ICEQC shall not rely on it without resolving the issue.

ICEQC shall apply authenticity controls proportionate to the risk and evidence type.

Controls may include:

ICEQC shall give the applicant an opportunity to explain an anomaly unless doing so would materially prejudice an urgent integrity investigation.

Fabrication, material alteration, substitution, impersonation, concealment or interference with evidence shall be handled under Part 16.

ICEQC may use approved digital or automated tools to support:

A digital or automated tool shall not:

A competent authorized person shall verify any tool output relied upon in a finding, review or decision.

ICEQC shall control tool access, security, version, configuration, output traceability and known limitations.

A material use of automated analysis affecting evidence selection or a finding shall be recorded in the certification case.

The assessment team shall communicate material changes, unresolved access issues and emerging concerns in sufficient time for the applicant to respond.

The team is not required to disclose:

An applicant may provide additional relevant evidence before the assessment record is closed, subject to the time and method established by ICEQC.

Late evidence may require additional assessment, revised findings, additional fees or delay.

Each conformity finding shall identify:

A nonconformity shall meet the requirements of clause 58.

A finding shall not be based solely on:

Assessment team members shall resolve material differences concerning a finding where possible. An unresolved difference shall be recorded for technical review.

At completion of substantive assessment, ICEQC shall provide closing communication that:

The applicant may identify a factual error or material misunderstanding during closing communication.

Disagreement with a requirement or conclusion does not prevent issue of a finding. The disagreement shall be recorded where material.

The assessment report shall include:

The assessment report is not a certificate and shall not be used to claim certification.

A conformity conclusion shall be based on verified evidence that the complete applicable assessment unit is fulfilled.

Conformity requires more than the existence of a document where the requirement concerns implementation, effectiveness, result or continuing control.

A temporary or staged condition created solely for assessment shall not establish conformity unless the requirement expressly concerns that condition and continuing implementation is demonstrated.

Where a requirement applies but the available evidence is insufficient to support a reliable conclusion, ICEQC shall record an unresolved evidence limitation and shall not conclude Conforming or Not Applicable. The limitation constitutes a nonconformity only where verified facts establish failure to fulfil an applicable requirement, including a requirement to create, retain or provide specified evidence.

ICEQC shall use only the following assessment-unit conclusions:

For management of corrective action, a nonconformity may be classified as:

Classification determines priority, response time and verification depth. It does not create a score, grade or lower form of conformity.

Every nonconformity, regardless of classification, shall be corrected and verified as closed before initial certification or recertification is granted.

A major nonconformity exists where the failure:

A failure not meeting clause 56.5 remains a nonconformity and shall not be relabelled as an opportunity for improvement.

A critical integrity or protection matter is a condition requiring immediate control before the ordinary finding process is complete.

Such a matter may include credible evidence of:

ICEQC may pause assessment, preserve evidence, restrict access, require immediate correction, suspend existing certification or take another proportionate protective measure.

A protective measure is not a final finding or decision unless confirmed through the applicable review and decision process.

A nonconformity statement shall identify:

The statement shall be sufficiently clear for a competent person not involved in the assessment to understand why the requirement is not fulfilled.

A nonconformity shall not prescribe the applicant's corrective solution unless only one solution can fulfil the requirement.

Where evidence suggests a wider failure, the statement or subsequent request shall identify the need to determine extent.

For each nonconformity, the applicant shall provide:

Correction of the sampled instance alone is not sufficient where the cause or extent indicates a wider failure.

The applicant shall not alter or destroy the original record of a failure when recording correction.

An applicant may dispute a finding and simultaneously submit corrective action without waiving the right of appeal.

Unless the applicable scheme specifies a shorter period:

ICEQC may set a shorter period where learner protection, integrity, continuing certification or another material risk requires it.

ICEQC may grant a written extension where:

A longer exceptional period may be allowed only where certification has not been granted or is suspended, the action cannot reasonably be completed sooner, and the decision and controls are documented.

Failure to respond or complete action within the applicable period may result in termination, suspension, scope reduction or withdrawal.

ICEQC shall verify correction and corrective action by a method appropriate to the failure and risk.

Verification may include:

A nonconformity shall be closed only where ICEQC confirms that:

Initial certification and recertification shall not be granted on the basis of a plan alone.

Closure shall identify the evidence, verifier, date and conclusion.

ICEQC may record an opportunity for improvement where:

An opportunity for improvement:

Where corrective action is absent, inadequate, ineffective or overdue, ICEQC shall determine the appropriate next action.

For an initial application, ICEQC may:

For existing certification, ICEQC may:

A condition shall not permit a nonconforming object to continue being represented as conforming.

ICEQC may reopen a closed finding where:

Reopening shall identify the new evidence and shall be subject to review and procedural fairness.

Every initial certification, recertification, scope extension, suspension, restoration, scope reduction and withdrawal decision shall be supported by technical review.

A maintenance decision following routine surveillance may use a proportionate review, provided that independence and sufficiency are preserved.

The reviewer shall not have participated in the assessment activities being reviewed.

Technical review shall determine whether:

The reviewer may return the case for clarification or additional assessment but shall not direct the assessor to reach a predetermined conclusion.

Review questions, responses and conclusions shall be recorded.

A certification decision shall be made by one or more persons authorized by ICEQC.

A decision maker shall:

The assessment team's recommendation does not bind the decision maker.

Sales, account management, training, marketing or fee collection personnel shall not make or control a certification decision.

The decision maker shall consider:

Material information received after technical review shall be evaluated and, where necessary, returned for assessment or review before decision.

A decision shall not rely on undisclosed evidence adverse to the applicant without giving a fair opportunity to respond, except where immediate protective action is required.

A positive decision may be made only when the conditions in clause 7.4 are fulfilled.

The positive decision shall identify:

The certification effective date shall not precede the date of the positive decision.

A limitation shall clarify the verified scope and shall not excuse an open nonconformity.

ICEQC shall make a negative decision where the conditions for a positive decision are not fulfilled within the permitted process and time.

The decision shall identify:

A negative decision is not a lower level of certification and shall not result in a certificate or mark.

An authorized decision may:

The controlled decision and status codes are set out in Schedule 4.

A decision outcome shall not include an excellence, premium, distinction, gold, star, grade or other relative level.

ICEQC shall notify the applicant or certified client of the decision in controlled form without unreasonable delay and ordinarily within five business days after the decision date.

Notification shall include:

Public status shall be updated without unreasonable delay after the decision becomes effective.

A certification decision shall be made by an authorized human decision maker.

An automated system may verify case completeness, status consistency or required approvals but shall not make the certification decision.

ICEQC shall not delegate the final certification decision to:

The identity, authority and decision rationale shall be recorded.

ICEQC shall issue a certificate only after an authorized positive certification decision.

A certificate shall be generated from the controlled certification record and shall accurately reproduce the approved certification scope.

Each certificate shall:

A certificate is valid only while the corresponding entry in the ICEQC public register shows an active status.

A printed, downloaded or locally stored certificate is a representation of the controlled record at the time of issue. It does not establish current status independently of the public register.

ICEQC may issue a corrected certificate where an administrative error is identified. A correction shall not change a certification decision or scope without the review and authorization required by this document.

A superseded, expired, suspended, reduced or withdrawn certificate shall not be presented as evidence of current certification except where its former status and relevant dates are made unmistakably clear.

A certificate shall contain the mandatory information specified in Schedule 5.

The legal name of the certified client shall be used. A trading name may also be shown where its relationship to the legal name has been verified.

The certification object shall be described in terms capable of being understood by a reasonable user of the certificate.

A scope description shall not use open-ended terms such as all services, complete organization, entire platform or equivalent wording unless the evidence and decision genuinely cover every material component implied by those terms.

Where certification applies only to specified sites, programmes, services, versions or delivery modes, the limitation shall appear on the certificate or in an inseparably linked controlled scope annex.

Where a certificate has a controlled annex:

A certificate shall not state or imply that ICEQC has certified a legal entitlement, governmental status, financial standing, individual professional competence or result outside the applicable scheme.

ICEQC shall maintain a public register as the authoritative source of current certification status.

The register shall enable a user to verify, at a minimum:

The public register shall use the controlled status terms in Schedule 4.

Where certification is suspended, reduced, withdrawn, expired or otherwise inactive, the register shall present the status clearly and shall not display the entry in a manner likely to suggest active certification.

A historical status may be displayed where necessary for transparency, provided that the relevant dates and former effect are clear.

Personal information, confidential information, security-sensitive information and protected learner information shall not be published unless publication is necessary, lawful and proportionate.

ICEQC shall correct a material register error without unreasonable delay and shall retain an auditable record of the correction.

A temporary technical unavailability of the register does not extend, restore or alter certification status.

A certified client may claim certification only:

A certification claim shall distinguish clearly between:

A certified client shall not state or imply that:

Where a claim is abbreviated for a space-limited medium, it shall remain accurate and shall provide a direct route to the public register or the complete approved scope.

Testimonials, translations, hashtags, search terms, paid advertisements, metadata and oral representations are certification claims where they refer to or imply ICEQC certification.

The certified client is responsible for certification claims made by its employees, agents, distributors, recruitment partners, group entities and other persons acting under its authority.

The right to use an ICEQC certification mark or certificate identifier is a limited, revocable and non-transferable licence arising only from active certification and the applicable certification agreement.

A certification mark shall be used only:

A certification mark shall not be:

ICEQC may prescribe a minimum clear space, minimum size, permitted colour versions and mandatory accompanying statement for a certification mark.

Use of the ICEQC corporate identity does not by itself constitute an authorized certification claim. Only the controlled certification mark or statement expressly issued for the certified scope may be used for that purpose.

ICEQC retains all rights in its name, marks, certificate design, verification devices and certification identifiers.

A person may reproduce an ICEQC certificate only as a complete and unaltered copy.

Cropping, excerpting, obscuring, recolouring or rearranging a certificate is prohibited where the change may conceal its scope, dates, status, number, limitations or authentication.

A translation of a certificate or approved certification statement shall:

ICEQC may provide electronic verification, a verification code or another controlled means of confirming authenticity.

Failure of a code, link or electronic device to verify shall be referred to ICEQC before any conclusion is drawn concerning status or authenticity.

No person may create a derivative certificate, unofficial badge or verification page that is likely to be mistaken for an ICEQC-controlled record.

A certified client shall monitor its public and material private use of certification claims and shall correct misleading or unauthorized use without delay.

A certified client that becomes aware of suspected misuse by another person shall notify ICEQC and preserve reasonably available evidence.

ICEQC may require any person using its name, certificate, mark or identifier improperly to:

ICEQC may investigate misuse and may take certification, contractual, public-protection or legal action proportionate to its nature, reach, duration and likely effect.

Corrective action concerning misuse does not prevent ICEQC from suspending, reducing or withdrawing certification where the misuse demonstrates a failure of continuing control or integrity.

An ICEQC certificate shall have a defined expiry date.

Unless a scheme specification establishes a shorter period, the maximum certification period is three years from the effective date of the positive initial or recertification decision.

ICEQC shall determine the certification period having regard to:

A shorter period is not a lower level of certification and shall not be represented as such.

ICEQC shall not backdate certification to a time before the certification decision.

An administrative delay in issuing a certificate does not extend the approved certification period unless an authorized correction records that the original date was entered incorrectly.

The certified client shall fulfil all applicable requirements throughout the certification period.

Continuing conformity includes effective control of:

A prior positive decision does not create a presumption that a changed or subsequently operated object continues to conform.

The certified client shall retain evidence sufficient to demonstrate continuing conformity and shall provide it when requested by ICEQC.

ICEQC may review any applicable requirement during surveillance where risk, change, prior findings or available information makes that review necessary.

ICEQC shall establish a surveillance programme for each certification cycle.

The surveillance programme shall be sufficient to determine whether certification may be maintained and whether the public scope remains accurate.

The programme shall include planned surveillance assessments and may include:

Surveillance shall not be limited to information selected by the certified client.

The planned depth and timing of surveillance may be adjusted according to risk and performance, but every applicable requirement remains enforceable throughout the cycle.

A reduction in planned sampling shall be supported by recorded reasons and shall not remove a required assessment activity or lower the conformity threshold.

Unless a scheme specification requires greater frequency, a three-year certification cycle shall include:

ICEQC may require earlier or additional surveillance where justified by risk, change, a reportable event, prior findings, complaint information, evidence reliability or certification history.

Where certification is granted for less than three years, ICEQC shall establish surveillance intervals proportionate to the certification period and risk.

A surveillance activity may begin before the standard window where this is necessary to obtain evidence from a representative operating period.

Failure to complete surveillance within the required window, for reasons attributable to the certified client, is grounds for suspension.

An extension of a surveillance window may be approved only where:

A surveillance extension does not extend the certificate expiry date.

Before a surveillance assessment, ICEQC shall confirm the current certification scope, applicable documents, material changes and unresolved matters.

Surveillance evidence shall cover a period sufficient to reveal whether the certified controls have operated effectively since the previous assessment.

The surveillance assessment shall include, as applicable:

Findings, corrective action and technical review shall be controlled in accordance with Parts 7 and 8.

Certification may be maintained only where all applicable units reviewed in the surveillance activity conform and any identified nonconformity has been closed.

Maintenance of certification shall be confirmed through a controlled certification decision.

ICEQC may require a certified client to submit a status confirmation between principal assessment activities.

A status confirmation may require declaration and supporting evidence concerning:

A status declaration is evidence but is not sufficient by itself where independent or directly verifiable evidence is reasonably available or required.

False, incomplete or materially late confirmation may result in special review, suspension or withdrawal.

ICEQC may conduct special surveillance at any time during the certification cycle where a matter may affect continuing conformity, scope accuracy or certification integrity.

Special surveillance may be announced on short notice where the circumstances require prompt verification.

The certified client shall cooperate with a reasonable special-surveillance request and shall not withhold relevant evidence on the ground that the matter was not included in the routine plan.

Special surveillance shall be limited to the matters necessary to resolve the trigger, together with consequential matters that become material during the review.

ICEQC shall record the trigger, methods, evidence, findings and resulting action.

Recertification is a new positive certification decision concerning a further certification period. It is not automatic renewal.

The certified client shall apply for recertification sufficiently early to permit completion before expiry and, unless ICEQC specifies otherwise, not later than 180 calendar days before the certificate expiry date.

The recertification application shall confirm or update all information required under Schedule 2 and shall identify all material changes since the last certification decision.

ICEQC shall conduct a new application review and shall confirm:

Acceptance of a recertification application does not extend current certification or assure renewal.

Recertification shall include a sufficiently comprehensive assessment of the certification object against all applicable requirements.

Planning shall consider the complete performance of the certification cycle, including:

ICEQC shall plan the principal recertification assessment activity for completion not later than 90 calendar days before expiry to allow time for corrective action, review and decision.

A recertification decision may be made only after every applicable requirement conforms and all conditions in clause 7.4 are fulfilled.

Where the decision is made before the existing certificate expires, the further certification period shall begin no earlier than the day following the existing expiry date unless a scheme-specific reason requires an earlier effective date.

Where a positive decision is not made before expiry, certification expires in accordance with clause 89.

Certification expires automatically at the end of the expiry date recorded in the public register unless a positive recertification decision has become effective.

ICEQC shall not extend certification solely because:

On expiry, the client shall immediately cease claims of active certification and use of the certification mark.

Where the recertification assessment was substantially completed before expiry but the positive decision was not made, ICEQC may continue processing the application after expiry. The public status shall remain expired until a new positive decision becomes effective.

A new positive decision made after expiry shall not erase or conceal the period during which certification was inactive.

Where more than 180 calendar days have elapsed after expiry, ICEQC shall normally treat the matter as a new initial application unless recorded evidence supports another scheme-authorized route.

A certified client may apply to extend, reduce or clarify the certification scope during the certification cycle.

An extension shall be assessed to the depth necessary to determine conformity of the added object, site, activity, programme, product, version, delivery mode or other boundary.

ICEQC shall not add a matter to the scope solely because it is controlled by the same client or resembles a certified matter.

A voluntary reduction may be accepted where it does not conceal a nonconforming matter that remains within the reasonable meaning of a public claim.

ICEQC may require consequential amendments to scope wording, certificate documents, the public register, surveillance planning and certification claims.

An extended scope shall take effect only after an authorized positive decision. A reduction shall take effect on the date determined by the authorized decision.

The expiry date of an existing certificate is not extended by a scope extension unless a full recertification decision is made.

An applicant or certified client shall notify ICEQC of a change that has affected, or may reasonably affect:

A planned major change shall be notified before implementation where reasonably practicable.

An unplanned major change or reportable event shall be notified without unreasonable delay and not later than 10 business days after the client becomes aware of it.

A matter involving immediate learner risk, serious integrity concern, loss of a necessary legal entitlement, material data compromise or public deception shall be notified immediately.

The minimum categories of major change and reportable event are set out in Schedule 7.

The client shall not wait for routine surveillance where prompt notification is required by this clause.

A change notification shall state, so far as known:

Information shall be updated where the effect of the change develops or material facts become known.

ICEQC may require a certified client to notify affected learners, purchasers or other parties where the change alters a material certified claim or creates a material risk of reliance on inaccurate information.

ICEQC shall review a notified or independently identified change to determine:

ICEQC may accept documentary review where the effect of the change can be determined reliably from controlled information.

ICEQC shall require additional assessment where documentary review cannot establish sufficient and reliable evidence.

A material change shall not be incorporated into certified scope until the required assessment, review and decision are complete.

ICEQC shall record the change, risk assessment, activity performed and conclusion.

ICEQC may open a special review where it receives or identifies credible information concerning:

Information need not be conclusive before a special review is opened, but the trigger shall be sufficiently specific and credible to justify review.

ICEQC shall define the matters for review, responsible personnel, required evidence, time controls and any interim protective measure.

The subject client shall be informed of the substance of the concern unless disclosure would create a material risk to a person, evidence, a lawful investigation or the integrity of the review.

Before a final special-review decision, ICEQC may impose a temporary protective measure where this is necessary to prevent misleading reliance, preserve evidence or address a credible serious risk.

A measure may include:

A protective measure shall be proportionate, time-limited so far as practicable and kept under review.

Imposition of an interim measure is not, by itself, a final finding of nonconformity or misconduct.

ICEQC may act without prior notice where notice would defeat the purpose of the measure. The client shall then be informed as soon as reasonably practicable and given an opportunity to respond.

Suspension makes certification temporarily inactive for all or a defined part of the certification scope.

ICEQC may suspend certification where:

A suspension decision shall identify:

During suspension, the client shall not represent the affected scope as actively certified and shall comply with all correction and notification directions.

Suspension shall normally not exceed 180 calendar days. A longer period may be approved only where exceptional circumstances and continuing protective controls are recorded.

Failure to restore conformity within the allowed period shall result in reduction or withdrawal unless the certification has already expired or been voluntarily terminated.

Certification may be restored only after ICEQC verifies that:

Restoration may require documentary review, interview, live demonstration, independent evidence, a full or partial reassessment, or another method proportionate to the matter.

ICEQC may restore only part of the suspended scope where conformity is established for that part and the remaining boundary can be stated without misleading effect.

The public register shall show the effective restoration date. Restoration shall not be backdated to conceal the suspension period.

Restoration does not extend the original certificate expiry date unless a recertification decision is separately made.

ICEQC may reduce a certification scope where:

A reduction shall not be used to avoid disclosure of a material failure affecting the retained scope.

Before reducing scope, ICEQC shall determine whether the affected matter is separable and whether the retained scope independently fulfils all applicable requirements.

The reduction decision shall identify the removed scope, effective date, consequential claim restrictions and required certificate and register changes.

The client shall amend all affected claims and materials by the deadline specified by ICEQC.

Withdrawal terminates certification before its stated expiry date.

ICEQC may withdraw certification where:

A withdrawal decision shall state the affected scope, effective date, reasons, required cessation and correction action, public status and appeal route.

Withdrawal shall not be represented as voluntary expiry or ordinary non-renewal where that representation would conceal a material adverse decision.

ICEQC may retain and publish sufficient historical status information to protect users of certification and preserve the integrity of the public register.

A certified client may request voluntary termination of all or part of its certification.

The request shall be made by an authorized representative and shall identify the intended effective date and reason.

ICEQC may complete a pending integrity review before recording the final public status where the outcome is material to an accurate historical record.

From the effective termination date, the client shall:

Voluntary termination does not release the client from obligations concerning confidentiality, records, prior claims, fees already due, investigation of earlier conduct or required corrective communication.

Expired, suspended, withdrawn or terminated certification is inactive to the extent shown in the public register.

A client with inactive certification shall not:

ICEQC may specify a reasonable period for removal or correction of fixed physical material, provided that no new misleading reliance is created during that period.

Digital claims and materials under the client's control shall normally be corrected within five business days, or sooner where the risk of harm or deception requires.

The client shall provide evidence of cessation and correction when requested.

Before making an adverse final decision, ICEQC shall ordinarily give the affected client:

ICEQC may take immediate protective action without completing the ordinary prior-notice process where delay would create a serious risk of harm, deception, evidence loss or continued misuse.

Where immediate action is taken, ICEQC shall provide the reasons and an opportunity to respond as soon as reasonably practicable.

Procedural fairness does not require disclosure of confidential information concerning another person, security-sensitive information or material whose disclosure is prohibited.

ICEQC shall consider the client's response objectively before making or confirming the final decision.

ICEQC shall maintain accessible, documented and impartial processes for complaints and appeals.

The processes shall be available without discrimination and shall not require a person to waive a lawful right as a condition of access.

Information on how to submit a complaint or appeal, the required information and principal time controls shall be publicly available.

A person may request reasonable communication assistance where this is necessary to understand or use the process.

Use of a complaint or appeal process shall not result in retaliation, discriminatory treatment or an improper certification disadvantage.

ICEQC may receive a complaint concerning a certified client, certified object, certification claim or matter reasonably connected with continuing conformity.

ICEQC shall determine whether the complaint:

ICEQC shall not act as the ordinary complaint department of a certified client or decide private disputes outside the certification scope.

ICEQC may require the certified client to provide:

A single complaint may justify certification action where its nature or evidence indicates serious risk, integrity failure or possible systemic nonconformity.

Absence of multiple complaints shall not by itself establish conformity.

A person may complain about an ICEQC service, conduct, delay, communication, assessor, reviewer, decision process, confidentiality matter, conflict concern or public record.

A complaint shall be handled by a person who was not the subject of the complaint and who is sufficiently independent of the activity concerned.

Where a complaint concerns a certification decision and seeks a different decision, ICEQC shall inform the complainant that the matter may constitute an appeal and shall apply the appropriate process.

A service complaint does not suspend a certification decision or time limit unless ICEQC expressly determines otherwise.

ICEQC shall identify and correct any confirmed process failure and shall consider whether the same failure may affect another case.

ICEQC shall acknowledge receipt of a complaint within five business days.

ICEQC shall conduct an initial review normally within 10 business days to determine jurisdiction, urgency, required information, responsible handler and next action.

The complainant shall be informed where:

The complaint handler shall gather and verify information proportionate to the nature and potential consequence of the matter.

ICEQC shall target issue of a complaint outcome within 45 calendar days after receipt of sufficient information. Where this is not reasonably practicable, ICEQC shall explain the delay and provide a revised date.

The outcome shall state, as appropriate:

The certified client and complainant shall be informed of the outcome to the extent permitted by confidentiality, privacy, safety and procedural fairness requirements.

An applicant or certified client may appeal:

An appeal shall be submitted within 20 business days after notification of the determination, unless the notice specifies a longer period.

An appeal shall identify:

An appeal is not a new opportunity to complete evidence or corrective action that was required before the original decision, but ICEQC may consider information showing that the original record was materially inaccurate or procedurally incomplete.

Late submission may be accepted where exceptional circumstances are demonstrated and acceptance does not materially prejudice fair and reliable resolution.

An appeal shall be decided by one or more authorized persons who:

The appeal review shall consider:

The appeal reviewer may request clarification, obtain specialist advice, require a limited reassessment or return a matter for corrected technical review.

A person providing advice to the appeal reviewer shall declare relevant interests and shall not assume the appeal decision.

The burden of maintaining a complete and controlled appeal record rests with ICEQC.

Lodging an appeal does not automatically stay the determination under appeal.

ICEQC may stay all or part of a determination where this is consistent with protection of learners, the public and certification integrity.

An appeal outcome may:

A positive certification outcome on appeal may be made only where the conditions in clause 7.4 are fulfilled.

The appeal outcome shall include sufficient reasons to explain the conclusion and shall identify its effective date and any further action.

ICEQC shall target determination of an appeal within 30 business days after a sufficient record is available and shall complete the appeal process within 60 business days after receipt unless an exceptional circumstance makes completion impracticable. ICEQC shall inform the appellant of a material delay, its reason and the revised determination date.

The appeal outcome is final within the ICEQC certification process unless the outcome itself requires a further controlled certification decision.

Complaint and appeal information shall be accessed only by persons who require it for authorized handling, review, action or oversight.

ICEQC shall protect the identity of a complainant where reasonably possible and requested, but shall not promise anonymity where disclosure is necessary for fairness, verification, safety or a lawful requirement.

A confidential or anonymous complaint may be considered where sufficient verifiable information is available.

ICEQC shall not disclose more information than is necessary to obtain a response, resolve the matter, protect affected persons or maintain certification integrity.

A person shall not be disadvantaged for making a complaint, giving evidence or using an appeal process in good faith.

Knowingly false or malicious information may be addressed as an integrity matter, but an unsubstantiated complaint is not, without more, a malicious complaint.

ICEQC shall maintain controlled records of complaints and appeals, including:

ICEQC shall periodically analyse complaint and appeal information for recurring issues, inconsistency, delay, conflict risk and opportunities to improve scheme operation.

Systemic correction shall be assigned, monitored and verified for effectiveness.

Analysis shall preserve confidentiality and shall not convert complaint volume into a ranking of certified clients.

Information from complaints and appeals may inform surveillance and scheme review where its reliability and relevance are established.

ICEQC is responsible for the impartiality of every certification activity and decision performed under its authority.

ICEQC shall identify, evaluate, treat and monitor risks to impartiality arising from:

An identified risk shall be eliminated or reduced to an acceptable level before the affected activity is assigned or continued.

Where an acceptable level cannot be achieved through reassignment, separation, review or another effective control, ICEQC shall not accept or continue the affected certification activity.

Impartiality controls shall be documented, subject to oversight and reviewed for effectiveness.

ICEQC shall maintain governance arrangements capable of reviewing whether commercial, operational or personal interests have improperly influenced certification.

Impartiality oversight shall have access to information necessary to examine:

A material unresolved impartiality concern shall be escalated to a level of ICEQC governance with authority independent of the persons or interests concerned.

No governance body, owner, sponsor or commercial officer may direct a conformity finding or certification decision for a particular client.

ICEQC shall retain records sufficient to demonstrate how a material impartiality risk was resolved.

Every person assigned to application review, assessment, technical review, decision, complaint, appeal or scheme oversight shall disclose actual, potential and perceived conflicts before accepting the assignment and whenever circumstances change.

ICEQC shall not rely solely on self-declaration where reasonably available information indicates a possible conflict.

A person shall not perform certification activity for an applicant where the person has, during the preceding two years:

A longer exclusion period or permanent disqualification shall apply where the relationship continues to create a material self-review, loyalty or confidentiality risk.

General public training, published guidance or explanation of a requirement does not by itself create a conflict, provided that no client-specific solution, prediction or privileged certification access is supplied.

Assignment decisions and any safeguards shall be recorded.

Sales, referral, marketing and account-management personnel shall not:

Assessor, reviewer and decision-maker remuneration shall not depend on a positive certification outcome.

A fee shall not be described or structured as payment for certification being granted.

Commercial communications shall distinguish application and assessment services from the certification decision.

Where one person performs more than one administrative function in a small operation, the prohibited certification functions shall remain separated and independently authorized.

ICEQC shall not provide client-specific consultancy that designs, selects or implements the controls to be certified by ICEQC.

During certification activity, ICEQC personnel may:

ICEQC personnel shall not:

The distinction between clarification and consultancy shall be addressed in personnel training, monitoring and case review.

ICEQC shall define competence requirements for every role capable of affecting certification quality or integrity.

Competence requirements shall address, as applicable:

Role competence shall be defined at the level necessary for the assigned functions and shall not be inferred solely from a job title, academic credential or length of experience.

ICEQC may recognize different authorization scopes according to sector, object class, scheme, module, activity and decision authority.

Before authorizing a person, ICEQC shall evaluate relevant competence through a combination of methods appropriate to the role.

Methods may include:

Authorization shall be documented and shall specify:

A person shall perform only activities within the person's current authorization.

Temporary assignment outside an authorization is prohibited unless supervised participation is expressly recorded and the authorized person retains responsibility.

ICEQC shall monitor authorized personnel sufficiently to confirm continuing competence and consistent application of requirements.

Monitoring may include:

Each authorization shall be formally reviewed at planned intervals not exceeding three years.

ICEQC may restrict, suspend or withdraw an authorization where competence, conduct, independence or continuing performance is not demonstrated.

Corrective development shall be verified before a restricted authorization is restored.

The assessment team as a whole shall possess the competence necessary for the certification object, scope, scheme, methods and identified risks.

Where one assessor does not possess all necessary competence, ICEQC may form a team or appoint a technical expert.

A technical expert shall:

The responsible assessor or reviewer shall evaluate the relevance and sufficiency of expert input within the ICEQC scheme.

Use of an expert does not transfer ICEQC's responsibility for the certification conclusion.

ICEQC may use external personnel or service providers for defined certification activities where effective control is maintained.

Before use, ICEQC shall verify competence, impartiality, confidentiality, security, capacity and acceptance of applicable ICEQC rules.

The arrangement shall be governed by an enforceable agreement that includes:

ICEQC shall not outsource ownership of a scheme, final certification decision, appeal decision or responsibility for certification.

ICEQC remains accountable for work performed under its authority.

ICEQC shall promote consistent interpretation and application across comparable certification activities.

Consistency controls shall include, as appropriate:

Consistency does not require identical evidence or identical assessment time where certification objects and risks differ.

A prior incorrect or weak decision does not require repetition of that decision in a later case.

A material interpretation affecting multiple clients shall be controlled and, where it changes published obligations, processed under Part 17.

ICEQC may include a witness or observer in a certification activity for competence evaluation, oversight, quality assurance or authorized learning.

The applicant or certified client shall be informed of the person's role and confidentiality obligation.

An observer shall not influence evidence selection, interview responses, findings or decisions.

A reasonable objection based on confidentiality, safety or conflict shall be considered. ICEQC may use another oversight method where the objection is justified.

The presence or absence of an observer shall not change the conformity threshold.

ICEQC shall maintain operational controls sufficient to ensure that certification activities are planned, performed, reviewed, decided, recorded and communicated in accordance with this document.

Controls shall address:

ICEQC shall perform planned internal evaluation of its certification operations and shall take corrective action where its own rules are not fulfilled.

A certification record affected by an internal process failure shall be reviewed to determine whether the finding, decision, scope, status or public information remains reliable.

Where reliability is affected, ICEQC shall correct the record and take any necessary client or public-protection action.

Information obtained or created during certification activity shall be treated as confidential unless it is public, lawfully obtained without a confidentiality obligation, authorized for disclosure or required to be disclosed under clause 126.

ICEQC shall inform personnel and controlled service providers of their continuing confidentiality obligations.

Confidentiality applies to oral, written, visual, electronic and inferred information, including:

Information shall not be used for personal advantage, unrelated research, marketing, competitive activity or any purpose outside authorized certification activity.

Confidentiality obligations continue after a person's role, contract or the client's certification ends.

ICEQC may disclose information where:

Where lawful and practicable, ICEQC shall notify the affected client before compelled disclosure and shall identify the information to be disclosed.

Disclosure shall be limited to information necessary for the authorized purpose.

A public certification status, approved scope, certificate number and other register information are not confidential to the extent required for public verification.

ICEQC shall record a material non-routine disclosure, its authority, extent and recipient.

ICEQC shall collect and use personal information only to the extent reasonably necessary for certification, verification, protection, administration, legal obligation or system integrity.

Assessment planning shall prefer evidence that demonstrates the required control while minimizing unnecessary personal data.

Where possible and reliable:

De-identification shall not be used where identity is material to verifying authenticity, eligibility, safeguarding, authorization or traceability.

ICEQC shall not require broad system access where a controlled view, selected export, screen share or other limited method provides sufficient evidence.

A client shall inform ICEQC of material restrictions on collection or disclosure early enough for an appropriate evidence route to be planned.

ICEQC shall protect certification information against unauthorized access, use, disclosure, alteration, loss, destruction and unavailability.

Controls shall be proportionate to information sensitivity and shall include, as applicable:

Certification information shall be stored only in approved systems or controlled locations.

Download to a local device, portable media or personal account is prohibited unless expressly authorized and protected.

Access shall be removed promptly when no longer required.

Before remote activity, ICEQC and the participant shall confirm the approved communication method, identity controls, expected participants, evidence-sharing method and recording position.

ICEQC shall not record an interview, live demonstration or remote visual activity unless:

A participant shall not make an undisclosed recording of ICEQC certification activity.

Screen sharing shall be limited to the material required and shall avoid exposure of unrelated confidential information.

Where a remote connection becomes insecure, unreliable or subject to unauthorized presence, the assessor shall pause or end the affected activity and record the limitation.

ICEQC shall maintain a controlled process for actual or suspected loss, disclosure, alteration, unauthorized access or unavailability of certification information.

An incident shall be assessed promptly for:

Where an incident may have altered, destroyed or exposed assessment evidence, ICEQC shall determine whether replacement evidence, reassessment or decision review is required.

Material incidents and actions shall be recorded, investigated and reviewed for recurrence.

A certified client shall notify ICEQC of an information incident where it materially affects the certified object, required records, certification evidence or public reliance.

ICEQC shall create and maintain records sufficient to demonstrate that each certification activity and decision was performed under the applicable rules.

The minimum controlled records are specified in Schedule 10.

A certification record shall be:

An alteration to a controlled record shall preserve the original content or an auditable change history, the reason, date and authorizing person.

Informal notes containing material evidence or rationale shall be transferred into the controlled case record or retained as part of that record.

Unless a longer period is required by an applicable scheme, agreement or lawful obligation, ICEQC shall retain the complete certification record for the current certification cycle and the immediately preceding cycle, and in all cases for not less than seven years after the final activity to which the record relates.

Complaint, appeal, integrity and enforcement records shall be retained for not less than seven years after closure or for as long as necessary to support an active restriction or historical public status.

Personnel authorization and competence records shall be retained during authorization and for not less than seven years after the authorization ends.

Records subject to a preservation notice, dispute, investigation or pending action shall not be destroyed until the hold is formally released.

At the end of retention, information shall be securely deleted, destroyed or irreversibly de-identified according to its medium and sensitivity.

Disposal shall be documented where the information is sensitive or the record category is material to certification integrity.

An applicant or certified client may request access to controlled certification information concerning it, subject to confidentiality, privacy, security and protection of ICEQC deliberative or third-party information.

ICEQC may provide a report, extract or supervised access instead of an unrestricted copy where necessary to protect other interests.

A client may request correction of a factual or administrative error.

A correction process shall not be used to remove a valid finding, rewrite historical evidence or alter an authorized decision without the applicable review and decision process.

Disagreement with an evaluative conclusion shall be addressed through response, complaint or appeal procedures as applicable.

English is the authoritative language of this document and of each certification decision unless an ICEQC scheme expressly designates an additional authoritative text.

A translation may be provided for accessibility but shall not alter the applicable obligation or decision.

Where texts differ, the authoritative English text governs.

An interpreter or translator used for certification activity shall have competence appropriate to the subject, accept confidentiality obligations and disclose conflicts.

The assessor shall take reasonable steps to verify that translated evidence preserves the material meaning, identity, dates, qualifications and limitations of the source.

Multiple sites may be included in one certification scope only where:

Common ownership alone does not establish eligibility.

A site that operates independently of the common controls, refuses required access or cannot provide reliable site-specific evidence shall not be included.

A scheme may prohibit or limit site sampling where every site presents a separately material learner, safety, legal, technical or integrity risk.

The central function shall have authority and resources to:

The central function shall conduct planned internal monitoring covering every included site during the certification cycle.

Site information shall be capable of aggregation and disaggregation so that systemic and site-specific performance can be evaluated.

Failure of the central function is material to the complete multi-site certification scope.

Before sampling or planning, ICEQC shall establish the complete proposed site population.

The site record shall identify, as applicable:

ICEQC shall group sites only where the grouping is supported by relevant similarity.

New, temporary, virtual, mobile, partner-operated and high-risk locations shall be expressly identified and shall not be absorbed into a generic site description.

Where site sampling is permitted, ICEQC shall select a sample sufficient to evaluate both the common system and material variation across the site population.

Site selection shall consider:

The client may provide practical scheduling information but shall not determine the final sample.

The same sites shall not be selected repeatedly without considering whether rotation is necessary for representative coverage.

ICEQC may add sites or extend evidence requests where a sampled site reveals variation, weak central control or possible systemic failure.

Sampling shall not be used where site-level conformity cannot be inferred reliably from common controls and representative evidence.

A nonconformity identified at one site shall be evaluated to determine whether it:

The client shall investigate the extent of the condition across all relevant sites and shall provide evidence of that investigation.

A site-level correction is insufficient where the cause or risk is systemic.

A positive decision shall not be made by removing a sampled nonconforming site from the application unless:

A serious failure of central control may result in nonconformity or adverse action for the complete multi-site scope.

An included site shall not be added to the public certification scope until ICEQC has completed the required review, assessment and positive scope decision.

The client shall notify ICEQC before opening, acquiring, transferring or materially changing a site intended for certified scope.

ICEQC shall assess a new site according to its operating history, similarity, risk and available evidence.

Closure, sale or loss of control of an included site shall be notified without delay and shall result in prompt correction of the certificate, register and public claims.

A material increase in the number, type or distribution of sites may require revision of the surveillance programme or full reassessment of multi-site eligibility.

Multiple legal entities may be included in one certification scope only where the scheme permits and the certification agreement establishes clear, enforceable responsibility for each entity.

The scope shall identify every legal entity included in certification and shall not rely solely on a group or network brand.

ICEQC shall verify:

A franchise, membership, licence, cooperation agreement or brand relationship does not by itself make another entity part of the certified scope.

Each entity remains accountable for applicable obligations within its control, and the named certified client remains accountable to ICEQC for the complete certified scope.

Use of an external provider does not remove the applicant's or certified client's responsibility for conformity.

The client shall identify externally provided activities that affect the certified object, including material technology, teaching, assessment, content, learner support, data, recruitment, placement, safeguarding, verification and certification-support services.

The client shall apply controls proportionate to risk, including as applicable:

ICEQC may require direct evidence, interview or confirmation from an external provider where material to the certification conclusion.

A client shall not restrict ICEQC to provider-issued summaries where underlying evidence is reasonably necessary and available.

Recognized external evidence may support an ICEQC conformity conclusion where it meets Schedule 8.

ICEQC shall evaluate:

Independent evidence shall not be accepted solely because it bears an official-looking title, seal, signature or digital appearance.

ICEQC shall not treat another person's conclusion as an ICEQC finding without evaluating its relevance and sufficiency.

Where evidence is partial, ICEQC shall use additional methods or limit the conclusion accordingly.

The acceptance decision and any reliance limitation shall be recorded.

An applicant and certified client shall deal with ICEQC honestly, completely and in good faith.

The duty includes:

Cooperation does not require waiver of a lawful privilege or disclosure prohibited by law, but the client shall identify the restriction and cooperate in establishing an alternative reliable evidence route.

Where a restriction prevents a reliable conclusion, ICEQC may limit, defer, suspend, refuse or withdraw certification.

Evidence supplied to ICEQC shall be authentic, attributable, complete in all material respects and presented without deceptive alteration.

Prohibited conduct includes:

Correction of an error is not prohibited where the original, correction, date, reason and author are traceable.

Where integrity is in doubt, ICEQC may seek source data, independent confirmation, system history, additional samples, live verification or forensic support proportionate to the concern.

ICEQC shall assess a credible integrity concern promptly and independently of the personnel or interests implicated.

An investigation plan shall address:

The affected applicant or client shall have a fair opportunity to respond, subject to immediate protective needs and preservation of evidence.

ICEQC may extend the investigation to another case or period where the available information indicates a related risk.

An integrity conclusion shall distinguish established fact, supported inference, unresolved doubt and allegation.

Certification shall not be granted or maintained where a material unresolved integrity concern prevents reliance on essential evidence.

No applicant, certified client, partner, trainer, consultant, platform or other person may claim a relationship with ICEQC beyond the relationship actually authorized.

Prohibited representations include claims that a person is:

Use of an ICEQC name, logo, document, form, email style or digital interface shall not create an implied authority beyond the express authorization.

ICEQC may publish a clarification where necessary to protect applicants or the public.

Enforcement action shall be lawful, evidence-based, proportionate, timely and consistent with protection of learners, the public and certification integrity.

ICEQC shall consider:

Action may be taken against a defined scope, certificate, application, personnel authorization, mark licence, contractual permission or future access to certification.

Financial value, prominence or anticipated reputational effect shall not exempt a person from necessary action.

Depending on authority and circumstances, ICEQC may:

More than one measure may be applied where necessary and proportionate.

A remedial measure does not prevent an adverse certification decision where the underlying conformity or integrity condition requires it.

The reasons, authority, effective date, required action and review route shall be recorded.

ICEQC may require public correction where a misleading certification claim has reached, or is likely to have reached, persons who may rely on it.

Correction shall be proportionate in prominence, channel, duration, audience and language to the original representation.

A correction shall:

ICEQC may issue its own clarification where a responsible person does not act promptly or where immediate clarification is necessary.

Public correction shall disclose no more confidential or personal information than necessary.

A person whose certification was refused or withdrawn may submit a new application unless an effective restriction provides otherwise.

ICEQC may establish a defined reapplication restriction where necessary because of fraud, repeated misuse, refusal to cooperate, unresolved risk or another serious integrity matter.

Before accepting a new application, ICEQC may require evidence that:

A new application shall be evaluated on current evidence and shall not erase historical status.

ICEQC may apply enhanced evidence, sampling, integrity and surveillance controls proportionate to the prior matter.

ICEQC personnel and controlled service providers shall report suspected internal misconduct, conflict, unauthorized disclosure, result manipulation, record alteration or other integrity failure.

A report shall be protected from retaliation and handled outside the authority of a person implicated in the concern.

ICEQC shall determine whether affected certification cases, decisions, documents, public records or clients require review or correction.

Confirmed internal misconduct shall result in corrective, authorization, contractual or other action proportionate to the matter.

ICEQC shall preserve sufficient records to demonstrate that the integrity of affected certification outcomes was evaluated.

ICEQC shall monitor whether each certification scheme remains clear, relevant, consistent, assessable and capable of producing reliable certification outcomes.

Monitoring shall consider:

Monitoring information shall be analysed without changing the binary conformity model into a score or ranking system.

ICEQC shall perform an operational review of each active certification scheme at least annually.

A comprehensive scheme review shall be completed at intervals not exceeding five years, or earlier where material change or evidence indicates need.

Review shall determine whether:

A review shall be conducted by persons with the necessary scheme, education, assessment, user and risk competence.

The review conclusion and authorized action shall be recorded.

ICEQC may obtain information from learners, education providers, purchasers, practitioners, subject specialists, public-interest representatives and other persons affected by a scheme.

Consultation shall be designed to obtain relevant evidence and viewpoints and shall not permit a commercial or organized interest to control the outcome.

For a material scheme revision, ICEQC shall provide a defined opportunity for comment unless urgency, confidentiality or a narrow corrective change makes public consultation impracticable. Any exception shall be authorized and recorded.

ICEQC shall consider received information objectively but is not required to adopt a proposal that weakens certification integrity, conflicts with the scheme purpose or lacks supporting evidence.

Consultation records shall identify material issues considered and the resulting disposition.

ICEQC shall classify a change as:

Classification shall consider whether the change affects:

A change shall not be described as editorial where it creates, removes or materially alters an obligation.

A revised scheme document shall be subject to technical review and approval by the authority designated in the controlled document record.

Publication information shall identify:

ICEQC shall maintain a controlled public document register identifying current and superseded editions and their effective periods.

A revised requirement shall not be applied to an applicant or certified client before its effective date except through an authorized urgent protective measure under clause 159.

Internal guidance shall not impose an unpublished additional certification requirement.

Where a change affects client conformity or certification activity, ICEQC shall establish a transition plan.

The plan shall specify:

The transition period shall be sufficient for reasonable implementation and reliable assessment, having regard to risk and the nature of the change.

During transition, ICEQC shall identify clearly which edition governs each assessment and decision.

Certification shall not continue beyond the transition deadline under a withdrawn edition unless the approved transition plan expressly permits a limited period and public status remains clear.

ICEQC may make an urgent protective change where delay would create an unacceptable risk to learners, the public, evidence integrity or the credibility of certification.

ICEQC shall:

An urgent change may require immediate evidence, claim restriction, special review or interim status action.

Commercial inconvenience alone is not a reason to delay a necessary protective change.

ICEQC may withdraw or replace a scheme where it is no longer relevant, reliable, sustainable, sufficiently distinct or consistent with ICEQC's certification purpose.

Before withdrawal, ICEQC shall determine:

Withdrawal of a scheme does not convert an affected certificate into certification under a replacement scheme.

Transfer to a replacement scheme requires the assessment and positive decision specified by the transition plan.

Historical public records shall distinguish scheme withdrawal from adverse withdrawal of a client's certification.

ICEQC may correct spelling, numbering, cross-references, formatting or another evident editorial error without changing the substantive obligation.

An editorial correction shall be logged and published in a manner proportionate to its effect.

ICEQC may issue an interpretation notice to clarify consistent application of existing text.

An interpretation notice shall:

Where a proposed interpretation would materially add to or alter an obligation, ICEQC shall process it as a document change under clauses 156 to 159.

The current published edition recorded in the ICEQC public document register is the controlled source of this document.

Uncontrolled copies are reference copies and shall be verified before use in a certification activity or decision.

Where provisions appear to conflict, they shall be applied in the following order:

A specific provision governs a general provision only for the matter it expressly addresses.

Guidance, forms, software settings, examples and prior decisions shall not override a published requirement.

A question that may affect a certification outcome shall be referred through the controlled ICEQC interpretation process and shall not be resolved by commercial agreement with an applicant.

This document becomes effective on the date recorded in the ICEQC public document register.

From its effective date, this document governs every new ICEQC certification application and every existing certification activity assigned to it under an approved transition plan.

An ICEQC certificate shall identify the scheme and requirement editions applied to its certification decision.

Nothing in this document authorizes a departure from an applicable requirement for convenience, commercial necessity, reputation, applicant size or evidence difficulty.

The schedules form an operative part of this document.

This Schedule specifies the minimum controlled content required for every ICEQC certification scheme specification.

The scheme specification may contain additional provisions necessary for its certification object, provided that they are consistent with this document.

A matter may be addressed by an identified controlled ICEQC document where the scheme specification states the relationship and applicable edition clearly.

Controlled matrix — Control field | Mandatory scheme content Scheme identifier | Unique ICEQC document number, controlled title, short title where used, edition, publication date, effective date and status. Ownership | Statement that ICEQC owns and controls the scheme and identification of the responsible scheme function. Approval | Approval authority, approval record and authority for later change or withdrawal. Authoritative language | Authoritative text and rules governing translations. Purpose | The need addressed by certification and the intended public meaning of a positive certification decision. Interested parties | Principal users and persons whose interests the scheme is intended to protect or inform. Scheme monitoring | Performance information, review frequency, change triggers and responsible oversight. Document relationship | Relationship with this document, the applicable requirement set, modules, implementation rules and controlled forms. Precedence | Rule for resolving inconsistency among applicable ICEQC documents without reducing this document's controls.

Controlled matrix — Control field | Mandatory scheme content Object class | Organization, programme, service, process, digital service, education technology product, defined claim or another expressly approved object. Unit of certification | The exact entity, activity, service, product, version, process or claim to which the decision applies. Eligibility | Objective conditions for application, including any required operating history or evidence period. Exclusions | Objects or circumstances that the scheme does not certify. Scope variables | Required boundaries, such as sites, delivery modes, learner groups, programme families, languages, product versions or territories. Scope wording | Required form and prohibited ambiguous scope descriptions. Multi-site position | Whether multi-site certification and site sampling are permitted, restricted or prohibited. Multi-entity position | Whether more than one legal entity may be included and the conditions for doing so. External-provider boundary | Activities that may be externally provided and responsibility retained by the certified client. Legal and specialist boundary | Matters requiring recognized external evidence and matters expressly outside ICEQC certification.

Controlled matrix — Control field | Mandatory scheme content Requirement set | Exact ICEQC requirement document and edition. Common requirements | Common education quality requirements applicable to every object within the scheme. Sector or object requirements | Additional requirements applicable to the defined sector or object class. Conditional modules | Trigger, applicability and complete requirement set for each conditional module. Assessment units | The units against which conforming, nonconforming or not-applicable conclusions are recorded. Applicability rules | Conditions for applicability and objective basis for any not-applicable determination. Evidence expectations | Minimum evidence categories, operating periods and any mandatory direct or independent verification. Prohibited substitution | Statement that strength in one requirement does not compensate for nonconformity in another. Outcome model | Binary conformity and prohibition of scores, rankings, grades, stars, tiers and distinctions.

Controlled matrix — Control field | Mandatory scheme content Application information | Information and declarations required in addition to Schedule 2. Application review | Acceptance, eligibility, competence, capacity, conflict and scope checks. Assessment stages | Required stages and conditions for combining, repeating or omitting a stage. Assessment methods | Permitted and mandatory methods, including remote methods and circumstances requiring independent evidence. Sampling | Population definition, selection principles, minimum coverage where prescribed and expansion rules. Assessment time | Method for determining sufficient assessment activity and any scheme minimum. Findings | Scheme-specific criteria for recording nonconformity without creating graded conformity. Corrective action | Response, correction, cause analysis, extent review, systemic action, verification and closure rules. Technical review | Required record and any scheme-specific reviewer competence. Decision | Authorized outcomes, decision competence and information required. Certificate | Scheme-specific certificate content and scope annex rules. Public register | Scheme-specific fields necessary for unambiguous public verification.

Controlled matrix — Control field | Mandatory scheme content Certification period | Maximum period, any shorter object-specific period and expiry rule. Surveillance | Frequency, timing, required coverage, status confirmation and special-surveillance triggers. Recertification | Application timing, assessment scope, decision and lapse rules. Change notification | Scheme-specific major changes and reportable events in addition to Schedule 7. Scope changes | Assessment and decision rules for extension, reduction and clarification. Status action | Scheme-specific triggers for suspension, reduction, withdrawal and restoration. Claims | Approved certification statement and required scope qualification. Certification mark | Whether use is permitted and any scheme-specific presentation restriction. Complaints and appeals | Applicable routes, time limits and any scheme-specific public-protection requirement. Transition | Treatment of applications and certificates when the scheme changes or is withdrawn.

Controlled matrix — Control field | Mandatory scheme content Role competence | Competence criteria for application review, assessment, technical review, decision and specialist input. Impartiality risks | Scheme-specific conflicts, prohibited relationships and safeguards. External resources | Permitted external activities and controls retained by ICEQC. Information protection | Scheme-specific sensitivity, access, transfer, recording and retention controls. Records | Case records required in addition to Schedule 10. Quality controls | Calibration, report review, case monitoring and internal performance measures. Complaints and intelligence | Use of complaint, incident and public information in surveillance and scheme monitoring. Exceptions | Any authorized operational discretion, its limits, approval and record. No exception may lower the conformity threshold.

The application shall contain or provide controlled access to the following information.

Controlled matrix — Reference | Required information A1 | Legal name, legal form, registration details where applicable, principal address and verified contact information. A2 | Trading names, brands and public identities relevant to the proposed certification scope. A3 | Name, role, authority and contact details of the person authorized to submit and bind the applicant. A4 | Ownership, governance and controlling relationships material to impartiality, scope or responsibility. A5 | Group entities, partners, franchisees or other organizations that may be confused with the applicant but are not proposed for scope. A6 | Confirmation that the applicant controls the certification object and can fulfil certification obligations.

Controlled matrix — Reference | Required information S1 | Applicable ICEQC certification scheme and requested edition where more than one transition route is available. S2 | Precise description of the certification object and requested certification scope. S3 | Sites, virtual locations, delivery modes, languages, learner groups, programmes, services, processes, products, versions and territories material to the scope. S4 | Activities, sites, entities and claims expressly excluded from the proposed scope. S5 | Operating start date and period for which representative evidence is available. S6 | Proposed use of the certificate, public claim and certification mark. S7 | Existing claims that may require correction if the application is accepted, refused, delayed or narrowed.

Controlled matrix — Reference | Required information O1 | Governance, accountable roles and principal operational responsibilities for the certification object. O2 | Scale indicators, including learner, user, programme, staff, transaction, site or product volume relevant to planning. O3 | Material processes, systems, platforms and technologies. O4 | Material external providers and the activities they perform. O5 | Internal monitoring, review, complaint, incident and corrective-action arrangements. O6 | Material changes planned or made during the evidence period. O7 | Current or anticipated cessation, restructuring, transfer, merger, insolvency or loss of control affecting the object.

Controlled matrix — Reference | Required information E1 | Index of principal controlled information supporting the application. E2 | Data, records, people and systems available for assessor selection and verification. E3 | Information restrictions, privacy constraints, security controls or technical limitations affecting remote assessment. E4 | Required legal entitlements, registrations, permissions or standing material to lawful operation of the proposed scope. E5 | Specialist reports, inspections, tests or confirmations material to requirements ICEQC cannot directly determine. E6 | Known gaps, expired evidence, unresolved findings or unavailable operating records. E7 | Requested language support, translation or accessibility arrangements.

Controlled matrix — Reference | Required information H1 | Prior ICEQC applications, certificates, findings, suspension, withdrawal, expiry or enforcement relevant to the application. H2 | Material complaints, incidents, investigations or proceedings affecting the certification object or the reliability of supplied information. H3 | Any prior refusal or withdrawal of comparable independent certification known to be material to evidence reliability or public claims, without naming another certification provider in the ICEQC public certification record. H4 | Conflicts, relationships, referrals or prior services involving proposed ICEQC personnel known to the applicant. H5 | Declaration that information is accurate, complete in all material respects and will be corrected if circumstances change. H6 | Agreement to preserve evidence and cooperate with verification, assessment, review, decision, surveillance and complaint processes.

ICEQC may require additional information necessary to determine eligibility, scope, assessment capability, impartiality, evidence feasibility or risk.

Information requested for application review is not, by itself, evidence of conformity.

An application is complete only when ICEQC records that the information necessary for acceptance and planning has been received and reviewed.

Controlled matrix — Code | Method | Principal use | Minimum control ICEQC-A1 | Controlled document review | Requirements, policies, designs, responsibilities and planned controls. | Verify identity, approval, edition, applicability and relationship to operation. ICEQC-A2 | Record and data examination | Demonstrated operation, results, traceability, monitoring and decisions. | Assessor-selected sample, source traceability, relevant period and integrity checks. ICEQC-A3 | Structured interview | Role understanding, implementation, decision rationale and consistency. | Verified participant identity, relevant role, open and cross-check questions, no coached group response. ICEQC-A4 | Live remote demonstration | Direct observation of a process, system, workflow or control in operation. | Defined scenario, verified participants, contemporaneous observation and recorded limitation. ICEQC-A5 | Remote visual verification | Condition, location, equipment, display or other visible matter material to the requirement. | Live orientation, location and time confidence, assessor-directed viewing and privacy protection. ICEQC-A6 | Direct confirmation | Verification with an identified source, responsible person, system owner or evidence issuer. | Independent contact route, identity verification, exact matter and response record. ICEQC-A7 | Recognized external evidence review | Specialist or otherwise independently determined matters. | Apply Schedule 8 and record the extent of reliance. ICEQC-A8 | Public information verification | Public claims, scope descriptions, learner information, status and mark use. | Source, date and context preserved; material information checked against controlled client evidence. ICEQC-A9 | Technical test or controlled trial | Functional performance or defined output capable of repeatable verification. | Defined method, environment, input, acceptance condition and result traceability. ICEQC-A10 | Reperformance or reconciliation | Verification that a calculation, decision rule, data transformation or control produces the represented result. | Controlled source data, recorded steps, variance review and protection of sensitive information.

R-A, R-B and R-C are evidence methods. They are not certification levels, grades or indicators of relative quality.

Enhanced integrity control shall be achieved by corroboration, source-level verification, expanded sampling or a combination of R-A, R-B and R-C. It shall not be represented as a fourth evidence level.

Controlled matrix — Route | Designation | Required composition R-A | Authenticated Record Review | Controlled review of authenticated documents, records, data, system outputs, public information and written clarifications, including assessor-selected operational records where implementation is required to be demonstrated. R-B | Interactive Remote Verification | R-A evidence combined with assessor-controlled live interview, system demonstration, remote observation, guided visual verification, test, reperformance or another interactive activity. R-C | Recognized External Verification | Recognized external evidence evaluated under Schedule 8 for a physical, technical, professional or other specialist matter that ICEQC cannot determine sufficiently through R-A or R-B.

The assessment plan shall select the method or combination of methods capable of producing sufficient and reliable evidence for the particular requirement.

A written declaration alone shall not demonstrate effective operation where operating records or direct verification are reasonably available.

Interview alone shall not establish conformity where the requirement concerns a controlled process, result, authorization, transaction, condition or period of operation.

A screenshot alone shall not establish continuing operation where source access, live demonstration, metadata, system history or other corroboration is necessary.

Public information may demonstrate what was represented publicly but does not by itself demonstrate the internal control or underlying result represented.

Evidence accepted for one assessment unit may support another unit where relevance and traceability are recorded. Duplicate evidence shall not be required merely because the clause number differs.

A remote method is feasible only where ICEQC can establish adequate confidence in identity, access, authenticity, context, communication quality, information security and the ability to direct selection.

Where a planned remote method is insufficient, ICEQC shall:

Difficulty, cost, privacy concern, time-zone difference or technology failure does not authorize a lower evidence threshold.

The codes in this Schedule are status identifiers and not grades.

Pending, partial, conditional, substantially conforming and similar expressions shall not be used as final assessment-unit conclusions.

For corrective-action control, an NC conclusion may be classified as Major or General in accordance with clause 56. The classification does not alter the NC conclusion or create a lower form of conformity.

Controlled matrix — Code | Controlled term | Meaning | Effect C | Conforming | Sufficient and reliable evidence demonstrates fulfilment of the applicable assessment unit. | Unit is eligible for a positive conclusion. NC | Nonconforming | Evidence demonstrates failure to fulfil the unit, or sufficient reliable evidence of fulfilment is absent where it is required and reasonably obtainable. | Positive certification decision prohibited until closure. NA | Not Applicable | The complete unit is objectively unrelated to the defined object and scope and ICEQC has approved the recorded basis. | Unit is excluded from the conformity total; NA is not an exemption from an applicable requirement.

Controlled matrix — Code | Decision | Meaning D-GRANT | Grant | Initial certification is approved for the stated scope and period. D-REFUSE | Refuse | Certification is not granted. D-MAINTAIN | Maintain | Existing certification remains active following required surveillance or review. D-RENEW | Renew | Certification is approved for a further certification period. D-EXTEND | Extend | A defined addition to certification scope is approved. D-REDUCE | Reduce | A defined part of certification scope is removed. D-SUSPEND | Suspend | Certification becomes temporarily inactive for all or part of the scope. D-RESTORE | Restore | Previously suspended certification becomes active for the stated scope. D-WITHDRAW | Withdraw | Certification is terminated before expiry. D-TERMINATE | Terminate | Certification ends before expiry following an authorized request by the certified client. D-CLOSE | Close Application | An application is closed without certification where no further authorized activity remains.

An application status shall not be displayed as certification status.

An appeal, complaint, reassessment or restoration request does not by itself change the effective public status.

Controlled matrix — Code | Public status | Meaning and claim consequence ACTIVE | Active | Certification is current for the exact registered scope. Approved claims and mark use are permitted. SUSPENDED | Suspended | Certification is temporarily inactive for the identified scope. Active certification claims and mark use are prohibited for that scope. SCOPE_REDUCED | Active - Reduced Scope | Certification remains active only for the reduced registered scope. Removed scope shall not be claimed. EXPIRED | Expired | The certification period ended without an effective renewal. No active claim or mark use is permitted. WITHDRAWN | Withdrawn | ICEQC terminated certification before expiry. No active claim or mark use is permitted. TERMINATED | Terminated at Client Request | Certification ended following an authorized client request. No active claim or mark use is permitted. SUPERSEDED | Superseded | The record was replaced by a later controlled certificate or scope record. Current status shall be verified through the replacement record.

An opportunity for improvement may be recorded only where the applicable assessment unit conforms.

It shall not:

Controlled matrix — Field | Certificate requirement ICEQC identity | Controlled ICEQC issuing identity. Document identity | The term Certificate of Conformity or another scheme-approved certificate title. Certificate number | Unique controlled identifier. Certified client | Verified legal name and, where useful, related trading name. Certification object | Precise object certified. Certification scope | Exact approved scope and material boundaries. Included sites or entities | Listed on the certificate or identified controlled annex where material. Delivery or product boundary | Included modes, versions, platforms, languages or learner groups where material. Scheme | ICEQC scheme number, title and applied edition. Requirements | Applicable ICEQC requirement document, edition and modules. Decision date | Date of the positive grant, renewal or scope decision supporting the certificate. Initial certification date | Date on which the first uninterrupted active certification period began. Issue date | Date the controlled certificate version was issued. Expiry date | Final date of the active certification period, subject to current public status. Authentication | Controlled signature, seal, verification code or other ICEQC authentication. Status notice | Statement that current validity and scope shall be verified in the ICEQC public register. Boundary notice | Concise statement preventing a legal or public effect beyond clause 5 where necessary for the object.

Controlled matrix — Field | Public-register requirement Register identity | Clear indication that the record is the authoritative ICEQC public certification record. Certificate number | Exact identifier and searchable or verifiable value. Current status | Controlled status in Schedule 4 and effective date. Certified client | Verified name sufficient to distinguish the client. Certification object and scope | Complete public meaning, including material exclusions or boundaries. Scheme and requirements | Applicable ICEQC documents, editions and modules. Sites or entities | Included list or direct controlled link where omission would mislead. Relevant dates | Initial certification, current decision, issue and expiry dates as applicable. Certificate verification | Controlled view, download or authenticity confirmation. Status history | Material previous status and dates where necessary for transparency. Correction information | Current corrected record and relationship to a superseded record where relevant.

Scope text shall use plain, bounded language and shall not depend on promotional terms.

A product or digital service shall include a version, release family or controlled change boundary sufficient to determine what was evaluated.

A programme-family scope shall state the rule by which included programmes are identified and shall provide a controlled included list where the family name alone is insufficient.

A multi-site or multi-entity scope shall identify the central certified client and included sites or entities.

A scope annex shall have the same controlled status as the certificate and shall not be replaced independently by the client.

Controlled matrix — Activity | Standard control | Maximum or consequence Acknowledge application | Within five business days after receipt. | Delay shall be recorded and communicated. Request missing application information | Normally within 10 business days after initial review begins. | Application remains incomplete until received. Acknowledge complaint | Within five business days. | Escalate overdue acknowledgement. Complaint initial review | Normally within 10 business days. | Urgent risk shall be triaged immediately. Complaint outcome | Target 45 calendar days after sufficient information. | Revised date and reason required if exceeded. Major nonconformity initial response | Within 10 business days after issue. | A shorter period may be required for protection or integrity. Major nonconformity ordinary closure | Within 30 calendar days after issue. | Extension is controlled by clauses 60.3 and 60.4. General nonconformity initial response | Within 15 business days after issue. | A shorter period may be required for protection or integrity. General nonconformity ordinary closure | Within 60 calendar days after issue. | Extension is controlled by clauses 60.3 and 60.4. Certification decision notice | Ordinarily within five business days after the decision date. | The effective status and appeal route shall be stated. File appeal | Within 20 business days after notification. | Late acceptance only under clause 107.5. Appeal determination | Target 30 business days after a sufficient record is available. | Complete within 60 business days after receipt unless an exceptional circumstance is recorded. Notify ordinary major change | Before implementation where practicable, otherwise within 10 business days after awareness. | Special review or adverse action may follow late notification. Notify urgent event | Immediately. | Protective action may be taken without awaiting complete information. Correct digital inactive-status claims | Normally within five business days. | Shorter period may be required for material harm or deception. First surveillance | Principal activity between months 10 and 14. | Suspension may follow client-caused failure. Second surveillance | Principal activity between months 22 and 26. | Suspension may follow client-caused failure. Exceptional surveillance extension | Only under clause 83.6. | Not more than 30 calendar days and no expiry extension. Recertification application | Not later than 180 calendar days before expiry unless otherwise specified. | Late application risks expiry. Principal recertification assessment | Planned to finish not later than 90 calendar days before expiry. | Open findings or incomplete review do not extend certification. Ordinary suspension period | Period stated in decision. | Normally not more than 180 calendar days. Reversion to initial application after expiry | Normally after more than 180 calendar days inactive. | Another route requires recorded scheme authority and sufficient evidence. General certification-record retention | Current and preceding cycle, and at least seven years after final related activity. | Longer hold applies where required.

A business day is a day on which ICEQC's responsible certification function is open for ordinary business.

Where a period ends on a non-business day and action requires receipt by ICEQC personnel, the period ends on the next business day unless urgent protection requires earlier action.

A period stated in calendar days includes all days.

Time begins on the day after the event that starts the period unless the relevant provision states that action is immediate.

A time target is not a guarantee where completion depends on applicant information, corrective action, necessary specialist evidence or procedural fairness.

ICEQC shall not shorten a period in a manner that prevents a reasonable response, except where immediate protection or an agreed expedited action justifies the shorter period.

The following changes shall be notified where they affect or may affect the certification object or scope.

Controlled matrix — Category | Examples of reportable change Legal identity | Name, legal form, registration, merger, acquisition, separation, dissolution or change of contracting entity. Ownership and control | Change of controlling ownership, governing authority, accountable executive or power to require conformity. Certification object | New, discontinued, transferred or substantially redesigned programme, service, process, product, claim or organization function. Scope boundary | Added or removed site, entity, delivery mode, learner group, territory, language, programme family, product version or material exclusion. Governance and responsibility | Material reallocation of accountability, oversight, learner protection, quality or certification responsibility. Delivery and operations | Material change in curriculum, teaching, assessment, learner support, admission, placement, certification, service delivery or operational process. Technology and data | New or materially changed platform, automated decision, education technology, data source, algorithm, integration, hosting or security model. External providers | Appointment, replacement, loss or material failure of an external provider performing an activity affecting conformity. Resources and capacity | Material reduction or rapid expansion in personnel, competence, premises, infrastructure, finance, learner volume or service capacity. Legal and specialist standing | Grant, expiry, suspension, restriction, loss or material condition affecting a necessary entitlement, permission, inspection, test or specialist conclusion. Evidence and records | Loss, corruption, migration, unavailability or reliability concern affecting required certification evidence. Public claims | Change to a public statement, brand structure, partner claim or certification-mark use that may alter the apparent certified scope.

Controlled matrix — Category | Event requiring notification Learner or public harm | Death, serious injury, serious safeguarding matter, widespread service failure or other event materially connected with a certified control. Serious complaint pattern | Multiple or systemic complaints indicating possible nonconformity, deception or failure of remedial control. Integrity | Suspected fraud, fabricated evidence, impersonation, material data manipulation, bribery or deliberate concealment. Information incident | Material unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, loss or extended unavailability affecting certified operations or evidence. Legal action | Material order, restriction, proceeding or finding affecting lawful operation, scope, evidence or public claims. Service interruption | Extended cessation, inability to deliver, insolvency risk, platform failure or loss of a critical facility or provider. Public misinformation | Material inaccurate statement about certification, status, scope, learners, outcomes or ICEQC relationship. Required evidence invalidity | Discovery that relied-upon independent evidence was false, withdrawn, expired, outside scope or materially limited. Cooperation failure | Loss of access, refusal by a controlled site or provider, or inability to obtain evidence necessary for continuing certification.

Notification is required where a reasonable person responsible for certification could foresee a material effect; certainty of nonconformity is not required.

Where doubt exists concerning materiality, the client shall notify ICEQC and explain the uncertainty.

Notification does not itself establish nonconformity. The event and the effectiveness of the client's response shall be evaluated under the applicable requirements.

Controlled matrix — Criterion | Required evaluation Issuer identity | Legal or professional identity, contact route and authority to issue the evidence are verifiable. Competence | The issuer and responsible persons possess competence appropriate to the exact matter determined. Independence | Financial, organizational, personal and self-review relationships do not materially impair the evidence. Object identity | The evidence identifies the exact site, system, product, version, sample, person, period or matter evaluated. Scope | The boundaries and exclusions are sufficiently clear for the ICEQC requirement. Criteria | The basis for the external conclusion is known and relevant. Method | Methods, samples, instruments, assumptions and material limitations are stated or reasonably verifiable. Date and validity | Activity and issue dates are known, the evidence is current for its intended use and any expiry or continuing condition is satisfied. Result | The result is clear, complete and not dependent on an undisclosed qualification. Authenticity | Signature, source record, secure verification, issuer confirmation or another reliable method supports authenticity. Traceability | The evidence can be linked to the application, relevant requirement and source. Contrary information | No unresolved material inconsistency or adverse information makes reliance unreasonable. Use rights | ICEQC may lawfully review, record and rely on the evidence to the necessary extent.

These categories concern evidence reliance and are not conformity grades.

Controlled matrix — Category | Meaning | ICEQC action IE-A | Acceptable for the stated matter | Evidence may support the identified conclusion within its scope and validity. IE-P | Partially acceptable | Evidence supports only the recorded part; additional ICEQC evidence is required. IE-V | Verification required | Evidence appears relevant but authenticity, scope, current status or issuer confirmation requires resolution. IE-R | Not acceptable for reliance | Evidence is irrelevant, unreliable, materially limited, invalid, unverifiable or contradicted.

ICEQC shall not use recognized external evidence to claim that ICEQC performed the underlying specialist activity.

Acceptance applies only to the exact matter, period, object and limitation evaluated.

A report concerning a sample does not establish the condition of an unsampled population without a justified basis.

A report for one version, site, entity or operating condition shall not be generalized to another without evidence of equivalence.

Where continuing validity depends on maintenance, monitoring, unchanged conditions or corrective action, ICEQC shall verify the relevant condition.

An issuer's disclaimer shall be considered in determining what the evidence can support.

The eligibility record shall include: (a) the central certified client and responsible central function; (b) every proposed legal entity and site; (c) the relationship and enforceable control mechanism; (d) the common system and site-level variations; (e) activities, delivery modes and learner groups at each site; (f) internal monitoring coverage; (g) previous findings, incidents and changes; (h) whether sampling is permitted and justified; and (i) the approved certification and public-scope structure.

Controlled matrix — Rule | Mandatory application Complete population | Establish the full site and entity list before selecting a sample. Central function | Assess the central function at initial certification and recertification and during surveillance where its continuing effectiveness is material. Representative selection | Include material variations and at least one unpredictable selection component where sampling is permitted. New sites | Give additional attention to sites without sufficient operating history or prior ICEQC evidence. High-risk sites | Select any site with credible serious risk, integrity concern or material adverse information. Rotation | Plan coverage so that unchanged low-risk sites are not permanently excluded from direct assessment. Virtual delivery | Treat a separately controlled virtual delivery environment as a site or scope component where it has distinct people, processes, systems or risks. Temporary activity | Include temporary or mobile delivery where it is material to the certified scope. Sample expansion | Add sites or evidence when findings indicate unrepresented variation or weak common control. Scope accuracy | Maintain a controlled public list where a user cannot otherwise determine which sites or entities are certified.

A site-addition request shall include the information in Schedule 2 relevant to that site.

ICEQC shall determine whether the site:

A new site shall be directly assessed where its material characteristics cannot be reliably covered through existing common-system evidence and representative sampling.

A site becomes certified only on the effective date of the positive scope-extension decision.

Removal of a site or entity shall trigger review of:

The certificate and public register shall be corrected promptly after the authorized removal decision.

Controlled matrix — Record category | Minimum record Applicable rules | Scheme, requirement set, modules, editions, interpretations and transition basis. Application | Submitted application, declarations, supporting information and verified authority. Application review | Eligibility, scope, competence, capacity, impartiality, evidence feasibility, acceptance or refusal. Certification agreement | Effective agreement, amendments, authorized parties and relevant notices. Case identity | Unique case number, certification object, client, scope, responsible function and status history. Change record | Material application and scope changes before and during certification.

Controlled matrix — Record category | Minimum record Assessment programme | Cycle or application activities, objectives, timing, surveillance and recertification structure. Risk and depth | Object complexity, material risks, evidence period, assessment-time rationale and enhanced controls. Team | Assigned personnel, roles, competence authorization, conflict declarations and safeguards. Plan | Requirements, methods, schedule, participants, samples, evidence route and information controls. Evidence request | Requested information, submission history and outstanding items. Sample record | Population, assessor-selected sample, selection rationale, changes and expansion. Activity record | Meetings, interviews, demonstrations, visual verification, tests, confirmations and limitations. Evidence index | Source, identity, date, owner, version, relevant requirement, method and reliability note. Recognized external evidence | Schedule 8 evaluation, verification and extent of reliance. Assessment report | Scope, methods, evidence, conclusions, findings, limitations and responsible assessor approval.

Controlled matrix — Record category | Minimum record Conformity record | C, NC or NA conclusion for every assessment unit and supporting evidence reference. Nonconformity | Requirement, objective evidence, condition, scope and classification as a nonconforming unit. Client response | Correction, cause analysis, extent review, systemic corrective action, responsibility and completion date. Verification | Evidence and method used to verify implementation and effectiveness. Closure | Authorized closure conclusion, date and person. Overdue or failed action | Notices, extensions, escalation and resulting status action.

Controlled matrix — Record category | Minimum record Technical review | Reviewer identity, independence, completeness review, queries, resolution and recommendation. Decision | Decision maker, authorization, independence, information considered, rationale, outcome and effective date. Notification | Controlled client notice, reasons, scope, conditions, status consequences and appeal route. Certificate | Every issued version, authentication, issue date, scope annex and supersession record. Public register | Published fields, status changes, dates, correction and historical record. Claim and mark licence | Authorized form, issue, monitoring, correction and cessation evidence.

Controlled matrix — Record category | Minimum record Surveillance | Programme, status confirmations, assessments, findings, review and maintenance decisions. Major changes | Client notifications, independent information, risk review, activity and decision. Reportable events | Triage, protective action, evidence, conclusion and follow-up. Scope change | Application, assessment, review, decision and public correction. Suspension | Grounds, affected scope, effective date, restoration conditions, monitoring and communications. Restoration | Verification, decision, effective date and register update. Reduction or withdrawal | Grounds, procedural fairness, decision, claim cessation and public status. Expiry or termination | Effective date, public record and evidence of claim and mark cessation. Recertification | Application, complete cycle review, assessment, corrective action, review and renewal decision.

Controlled matrix — Record category | Minimum record Complaints | Receipt, acknowledgement, triage, handler independence, evidence, outcome, action and learning. Appeals | Submission, acceptance, reviewer independence, complete review record, outcome and effective action. Integrity matters | Allegation, preservation, investigation, response, conclusion, measures and affected-case review. Impartiality | Risk register, declarations, safeguards, oversight and material escalations. Competence | Criteria, evaluation, authorization, monitoring, restriction and continuing competence. External resources | Due diligence, agreement, assignment, monitoring, incident and termination. Internal quality | Internal evaluation, nonconforming internal work, correction, systemic action and effectiveness review. Scheme change | Monitoring, review, consultation, approval, publication, transition and withdrawal.

A record category may be maintained across connected controlled systems, provided that identity, relationship, access and change history remain clear.

The absence of a particular form title does not make a record insufficient where all required information is controlled and readily retrievable.

A checklist without supporting evidence references and rationale is insufficient where the conclusion cannot otherwise be reconstructed.

A certification record shall not contain unnecessary personal data, irrelevant commentary or unverified allegation presented as fact.

The final record shall distinguish client information, assessor observation, recognized external evidence, interpretation, finding, review and decision.