Control of certificates, marks and claims
ICEQC owns and controls its institutional name, document identifiers, certification marks and official public records. A certified entity receives only the limited permission stated in the controlling scheme, agreement and identity rules. Permission is conditional on continued certification and does not transfer ownership, create endorsement or authorise use outside the recorded scope.
Every certification claim must remain attributable to the certified legal holder and the correct certification object. It must reproduce or accurately delimit the certified scope, identify the applicable scheme and edition where required, state dates and status accurately, and direct the reader to the Public Certificate Register. The register prevails over a certificate copy, badge, website, advertisement, social-media post, marketplace profile or third-party directory.
A claim must not present ICEQC certification as governmental approval, statutory accreditation, a licence, degree recognition, academic equivalence, guaranteed learner outcome, product-safety approval, ranking, award or proof of superiority. Suspension, scope reduction, withdrawal, expiry and termination require prompt correction or cessation of affected claims and may result in public notice or enforcement action.
ICEQC-GOV-009 · Clause 1
Scope and purpose
This document governs the public identity of ICEQC standards and certification.
It applies to controlled documents, clauses, certification schemes, certificates, certification marks, public-register records, websites, downloads, metadata, structured data, interfaces, statements and promotional claims.
Its purpose is to ensure that the public can distinguish an ICEQC act from a governmental, accreditation, licensing, recognition, endorsement, ranking or third-party act.
ICEQC-GOV-009 · Clause 2
ICEQC-only public identity
ICEQC shall identify every public standard, clause, scheme, certificate, mark, register record, controlled download, metadata record and authoritative structured-data response using the applicable ICEQC institutional name, ICEQC document number and ICEQC certification terminology.
No external organization, publication, framework or source shall be named as the issuer, co-issuer, owner, approval authority or certification basis unless a formally approved public arrangement expressly creates that role and the resulting identity remains unambiguous.
ICEQC-GOV-009 · Clause 3
Transparent certification basis
An ICEQC certification decision shall be based only on the applicable requirements of published ICEQC normative documents identified for the certification scope.
External standards, research, law, professional knowledge and stakeholder evidence may inform development or may be cited transparently where relevant, but they do not become hidden certification requirements and do not imply endorsement of ICEQC.
Incorporation of an external provision as a normative condition shall be express, legally permitted, accessible to affected readers and identifiable in the ICEQC document.
ICEQC-GOV-009 · Clause 4
Controlled public identifiers
The public identity system comprises the official organizational name, controlled logos and certification marks, document and edition identifiers, certificate identifiers, certified-client and certification-object identifiers, and the corresponding public-register record.
Each identifier shall be unique within its class, traceable to its controlled record and used without alteration that could obscure meaning.
A logo or abbreviated name shall not replace the document number, certificate number or scope information necessary to verify a claim.
ICEQC-GOV-009 · Clause 5
Mandatory certificate information
An ICEQC certificate shall identify ICEQC as issuer; the legal name of the certified client; the certification object and precise scope; applicable sites, delivery modes, modules, learner groups or versions where relevant; the controlling ICEQC scheme, requirements and editions; a unique certificate identifier; the issue and expiry dates; and the current status or a direct means of verifying that status in the public register.
It shall state the institutional boundary of certification and shall not contain a claim broader than the decision record.
ICEQC-GOV-009 · Clause 6
Meaning and limits of certification
ICEQC certification is voluntary third-party attestation of conformity for the object, scope, edition and period identified in the certificate and public register.
It is not governmental authorization, permission to operate, statutory licensing, institutional or programme accreditation, approval of degrees or qualifications, academic equivalency, immigration or funding eligibility, a ranking, or a guarantee that every future activity or outcome will conform.
Certification of one service, programme, product, platform or site does not certify the holder's other activities.
ICEQC-GOV-009 · Clause 7
Authorized certification claims
A public claim shall identify the certified client or object accurately, use the term 'ICEQC certified' only with a current certification status, and state or link directly to the scope where omission could mislead.
The controlling statement is the public-register record.
Descriptive text may summarize a certification only if it preserves the standard, scope, edition, status and material exclusions.
A claim shall not imply that an application, assessment, recommendation, provisional result or payment constitutes certification before an authorized positive decision.
ICEQC-GOV-009 · Clause 8
Certification marks
A certification mark may be used only by a certified client, for the period and scope authorized by the applicable mark rules and register status.
It shall remain legible, unaltered and accompanied by the scope or verification reference where necessary to prevent misunderstanding.
Placement shall not imply that an uncertified product, service, programme, site, affiliate or communication is certified.
The mark shall not be applied to a learner certificate, transcript, qualification, test result or personnel credential in a manner suggesting that ICEQC certified or awarded that individual outcome unless that precise object is within the registered scope.
ICEQC-GOV-009 · Clause 9
Prohibited and misleading representations
No person shall represent ICEQC certification as government approval, statutory accreditation, licensing, degree recognition, institutional recognition, academic equivalence, endorsement by a referenced standards body, or membership in or authorization by an intergovernmental or national authority.
Claims of 'fully approved', 'officially recognized', 'government certified', 'internationally accredited', 'world ranked' or equivalent effect are prohibited unless the exact claim is independently true, lawfully evidenced and clearly unrelated to ICEQC certification.
Certification shall not be used to guarantee employment, admission, transfer credit, immigration, funding, commercial success or learning outcomes.
ICEQC-GOV-009 · Clause 10
Scope, entity and relationship boundaries
A parent, subsidiary, franchise, partner, reseller, member, campus, platform user or affiliated organization shall not claim certification solely because another related entity is certified.
Certification shall not be transferred by change of name, ownership, contract, platform, domain or location without the treatment required by the applicable certification rules.
Where a group name is used, the certified legal entity and included units shall remain clear.
Testimonials, comparisons and collective marketing shall preserve the same boundaries.
ICEQC-GOV-009 · Clause 11
Digital verification and register precedence
A digital certificate, badge, QR code, hyperlink, metadata record or interface response shall resolve to or accurately reproduce the controlled public-register record.
It shall not expose a status, scope or validity period different from that record.
Cached or copied representations shall carry enough identity and timing information to reveal possible staleness.
If a certificate, website statement, third-party profile or digital badge conflicts with the public register, the register governs public status pending correction of the conflicting representation.
ICEQC-GOV-009 · Clause 12
Suspension, reduction, withdrawal and expiry
During suspension, the holder shall not represent the affected scope as currently certified, although a factual statement of suspended status may be made where not misleading.
Following reduction, claims and marks shall be confined to the remaining scope.
Following withdrawal or expiry, new claims of current certification shall cease and controlled digital representations shall reflect the changed status.
Historical statements may be retained only when they state the relevant period and do not imply current validity.
ICEQC-GOV-009 · Clause 13
Third-party names, marks and references
Reference to an external standard, research source, law, professional body, technology or organization shall be accurate, necessary to the context and presented without implying sponsorship, approval or recognition of ICEQC.
A third-party mark shall not be combined with an ICEQC mark in a manner that creates a composite certification identity without documented authorization from the rights holders.
Comparative claims shall be factual, verifiable and limited to published characteristics; they shall not disparage or falsely imply equivalence with another conformity-assessment system.
ICEQC-GOV-009 · Clause 15
Misuse, correction and public protection
A person may report suspected misuse of an ICEQC name, document, certificate, mark or certification claim through the published route.
ICEQC shall protect the reliability of the public identity by proportionate clarification, correction of its own record, requirement for correction by an authorized user, status action under applicable certification rules, or legal protection of rights where necessary.
A response shall distinguish deliberate misuse from reasonable error and shall not imply a certification sanction before the competent decision authority has acted.
ICEQC-GOV-009 · Clause 16
No endorsement or preferential status
Publication of a standard, certification of a client, listing in the register, participation in standards development or citation in an ICEQC document does not constitute endorsement of an organization, product, service, political position or commercial claim.
Fees, sponsorship, membership, cooperation agreements and technical contributions shall not purchase certification, influence a conformity conclusion or confer preferential public status.
Any approved partnership statement shall be separate from and shall not expand the meaning of ICEQC certification.
ICEQC-GOV-009 · Clause 17
Review of public representations
Public identity rules shall be interpreted to protect accurate verification without preventing truthful reference to ICEQC.
A representation shall be assessed in its full context, including wording, images, placement, audience, language, links and omitted qualifications.
If a reasonable reader could understand the representation as broader, more current or more official than the public register supports, it shall be corrected.
Uncertainty shall be resolved by making the certification object, scope, issuer, status and institutional limits more explicit.
ICEQC-GOV-009 · Clause 21
Certification mark
The ICEQC certification mark shall communicate only a current certification within the object, scope, period and use conditions recorded by ICEQC.
Use shall include a certificate or verification reference where needed and shall remain subordinate to current Public Register status.
A representation concerning certification mark shall identify or provide immediate access to the issuer, certified or published object, scope, controlling ICEQC documents and editions, current status and material limitations necessary for a reasonable reader.
The mark shall not function as a product-safety, government-approval, accreditation, qualification or individual-outcome mark beyond the registered object.
For certification mark, wording, imagery, layout, omission, translation, metadata and surrounding context shall be considered together when determining whether the representation is misleading.
Status or scope change shall trigger controlled removal, replacement or qualification.
A materially inaccurate or unauthorized representation concerning certification mark shall be corrected promptly and shall not remain in use merely because it was once approved, widely distributed or technically difficult to update.
ICEQC-GOV-009 · Clause 30
Scope statement
The certificate and register shall state a precise scope using bounded activities, objects, populations, locations, delivery modes, platforms, versions and exclusions as applicable.
The scope shall reproduce the authorized decision and shall remain the controlling public meaning of certification.
A representation concerning scope statement shall identify or provide immediate access to the issuer, certified or published object, scope, controlling ICEQC documents and editions, current status and material limitations necessary for a reasonable reader.
Open terms such as all services, complete institution or entire platform shall not be used unless the decision genuinely covers every material component implied.
For scope statement, wording, imagery, layout, omission, translation, metadata and surrounding context shall be considered together when determining whether the representation is misleading.
A scope claim broader than the register shall be corrected and may require certification-status action.
A materially inaccurate or unauthorized representation concerning scope statement shall be corrected promptly and shall not remain in use merely because it was once approved, widely distributed or technically difficult to update.
ICEQC-GOV-009 · Clause 37
Current status
Active, suspended, reduced, withdrawn, expired and other public statuses shall use controlled meanings consistent across certificate, register, badge and structured response.
The Public Register is authoritative for current status at the time shown.
A representation concerning current status shall identify or provide immediate access to the issuer, certified or published object, scope, controlling ICEQC documents and editions, current status and material limitations necessary for a reasonable reader.
A copied active badge or certificate shall not override a later status event.
For current status, wording, imagery, layout, omission, translation, metadata and surrounding context shall be considered together when determining whether the representation is misleading.
Status mismatch shall be corrected immediately where it could support an unauthorized claim.
A materially inaccurate or unauthorized representation concerning current status shall be corrected promptly and shall not remain in use merely because it was once approved, widely distributed or technically difficult to update.
ICEQC-GOV-009 · Clause 38
Register precedence
The ICEQC Public Register shall be the authoritative public source for certification scope, status and validity.
Every certificate and approved digital badge shall provide a direct verification route and shall state that copied representations may become stale.
A representation concerning register precedence shall identify or provide immediate access to the issuer, certified or published object, scope, controlling ICEQC documents and editions, current status and material limitations necessary for a reasonable reader.
A third-party directory, cached page, social profile or applicant-held file shall not determine current status.
For register precedence, wording, imagery, layout, omission, translation, metadata and surrounding context shall be considered together when determining whether the representation is misleading.
Register error shall be corrected by the competent authority with reliance protection and history rather than ignored because another copy is accurate.
A materially inaccurate or unauthorized representation concerning register precedence shall be corrected promptly and shall not remain in use merely because it was once approved, widely distributed or technically difficult to update.
ICEQC-GOV-009 · Clause 42
Mark design integrity
The certification mark shall be reproduced from controlled artwork with approved proportions, wording, colours and clear space and shall remain legible.
Permitted monochrome, small-size and accessible variants shall retain the same identity.
A representation concerning mark design integrity shall identify or provide immediate access to the issuer, certified or published object, scope, controlling ICEQC documents and editions, current status and material limitations necessary for a reasonable reader.
Cropping, animation, distortion, recolouring, overlay or combination shall not change meaning or obscure verification.
For mark design integrity, wording, imagery, layout, omission, translation, metadata and surrounding context shall be considered together when determining whether the representation is misleading.
An altered mark likely to mislead shall be replaced even where the surrounding claim is accurate.
A materially inaccurate or unauthorized representation concerning mark design integrity shall be corrected promptly and shall not remain in use merely because it was once approved, widely distributed or technically difficult to update.
ICEQC-GOV-009 · Clause 43
Mark placement
Placement shall make clear which specific certified object or scope the mark concerns and shall avoid association with excluded activities.
A nearby scope statement or verification link shall be used where page, packaging or group context could broaden interpretation.
A representation concerning mark placement shall identify or provide immediate access to the issuer, certified or published object, scope, controlling ICEQC documents and editions, current status and material limitations necessary for a reasonable reader.
The mark shall not appear as a site-wide footer claim where only one programme, product or service is certified unless the limitation is equally prominent.
For mark placement, wording, imagery, layout, omission, translation, metadata and surrounding context shall be considered together when determining whether the representation is misleading.
Misplaced uses shall be removed or repositioned and related public misunderstanding addressed.
A materially inaccurate or unauthorized representation concerning mark placement shall be corrected promptly and shall not remain in use merely because it was once approved, widely distributed or technically difficult to update.
ICEQC-GOV-009 · Clause 44
Product and packaging claims
A product mark or package statement shall be used only where the exact product model and relevant version are within current registered certification.
The claim shall state that ICEQC certification concerns the education-quality scope and shall preserve exclusions such as safety or market authorization where material.
A representation concerning product and packaging claims shall identify or provide immediate access to the issuer, certified or published object, scope, controlling ICEQC documents and editions, current status and material limitations necessary for a reasonable reader.
Component certification shall not be presented as certification of the complete product, and manufacturer certification shall not certify every product.
For product and packaging claims, wording, imagery, layout, omission, translation, metadata and surrounding context shall be considered together when determining whether the representation is misleading.
Inventory and distribution shall be corrected proportionately after status or model change.
A materially inaccurate or unauthorized representation concerning product and packaging claims shall be corrected promptly and shall not remain in use merely because it was once approved, widely distributed or technically difficult to update.
ICEQC-GOV-009 · Clause 45
Learner documents
A certification mark shall not be applied to a learner certificate, transcript, badge, score report or qualification in a way that suggests ICEQC awarded, recognized or certified the learner outcome unless that exact object is registered.
Where an education provider is certified, learner communications may state that provider status accurately with scope verification.
A representation concerning learner documents shall identify or provide immediate access to the issuer, certified or published object, scope, controlling ICEQC documents and editions, current status and material limitations necessary for a reasonable reader.
Provider certification shall not convert its diplomas or credits into ICEQC qualifications.
For learner documents, wording, imagery, layout, omission, translation, metadata and surrounding context shall be considered together when determining whether the representation is misleading.
Misleading learner documents shall be corrected with notice proportionate to recipients and continuing reliance.
A materially inaccurate or unauthorized representation concerning learner documents shall be corrected promptly and shall not remain in use merely because it was once approved, widely distributed or technically difficult to update.
ICEQC-GOV-009 · Clause 46
Website claims
A certified client's website shall confine certification statements to pages and content whose context accurately identifies the registered object and scope.
The claim shall link directly to verification and shall remain consistent across language versions, mobile views, footers and structured metadata.
A representation concerning website claims shall identify or provide immediate access to the issuer, certified or published object, scope, controlling ICEQC documents and editions, current status and material limitations necessary for a reasonable reader.
A domain-wide banner shall not imply certification of unrelated entities, products, news, partners or user-generated content.
For website claims, wording, imagery, layout, omission, translation, metadata and surrounding context shall be considered together when determining whether the representation is misleading.
Cached and archived pages under the client's control shall be corrected where they continue to communicate current status falsely.
A materially inaccurate or unauthorized representation concerning website claims shall be corrected promptly and shall not remain in use merely because it was once approved, widely distributed or technically difficult to update.
ICEQC-GOV-009 · Clause 47
Social-media claims
A social-media profile, post, video caption, image or biography shall state ICEQC certification only within the character and visual context needed to preserve scope and current status.
A link to the Public Register shall be used where the platform cannot display complete scope.
A representation concerning social-media claims shall identify or provide immediate access to the issuer, certified or published object, scope, controlling ICEQC documents and editions, current status and material limitations necessary for a reasonable reader.
Hashtags, celebratory wording, influencer content and reposts shall not imply government recognition, ranking or certification of unrelated offerings.
For social-media claims, wording, imagery, layout, omission, translation, metadata and surrounding context shall be considered together when determining whether the representation is misleading.
Controlled accounts shall correct or remove stale and materially misleading content promptly.
A materially inaccurate or unauthorized representation concerning social-media claims shall be corrected promptly and shall not remain in use merely because it was once approved, widely distributed or technically difficult to update.
ICEQC-GOV-009 · Clause 48
Advertising
Paid and unpaid advertising shall present ICEQC certification as one verifiable scoped fact and shall not make it the basis of an unsupported performance or superiority promise.
Material limitations shall be prominent relative to the claim and verification shall be accessible before purchase or enrolment where certification is a decision factor.
A representation concerning advertising shall identify or provide immediate access to the issuer, certified or published object, scope, controlling ICEQC documents and editions, current status and material limitations necessary for a reasonable reader.
Small print shall not contradict a broad headline, image or spoken claim.
For advertising, wording, imagery, layout, omission, translation, metadata and surrounding context shall be considered together when determining whether the representation is misleading.
A misleading campaign shall be stopped and corrections shall reach a proportionate audience.
A materially inaccurate or unauthorized representation concerning advertising shall be corrected promptly and shall not remain in use merely because it was once approved, widely distributed or technically difficult to update.
ICEQC-GOV-009 · Clause 51
Comparative claims
A claim comparing ICEQC certification, a certified object or another standard shall be factual, current, verifiable and based on comparable scope and editions.
Method, date, source and material limitations shall be available to the audience.
A representation concerning comparative claims shall identify or provide immediate access to the issuer, certified or published object, scope, controlling ICEQC documents and editions, current status and material limitations necessary for a reasonable reader.
Certification shall not be described as superior, equivalent or more official merely through broader marketing language or different document length.
For comparative claims, wording, imagery, layout, omission, translation, metadata and surrounding context shall be considered together when determining whether the representation is misleading.
An unsupported comparison shall be removed without requiring the other organization to complain.
A materially inaccurate or unauthorized representation concerning comparative claims shall be corrected promptly and shall not remain in use merely because it was once approved, widely distributed or technically difficult to update.
ICEQC-GOV-009 · Clause 52
Ranking and scoring claims
ICEQC certification shall not be represented as a ranking, score, grade, star, level or tier and shall not imply placement above another certified or uncertified object.
The Public Register shall show binary status and defined scope rather than performance order.
A representation concerning ranking and scoring claims shall identify or provide immediate access to the issuer, certified or published object, scope, controlling ICEQC documents and editions, current status and material limitations necessary for a reasonable reader.
An independent ranking may mention certification as a fact only where methodology and independence are clear and ICEQC does not endorse the result.
For ranking and scoring claims, wording, imagery, layout, omission, translation, metadata and surrounding context shall be considered together when determining whether the representation is misleading.
ICEQC marks shall not be incorporated into ranking graphics likely to create a composite credential.
A materially inaccurate or unauthorized representation concerning ranking and scoring claims shall be corrected promptly and shall not remain in use merely because it was once approved, widely distributed or technically difficult to update.
ICEQC-GOV-009 · Clause 53
Government-approval claims
No person shall state or imply that ICEQC certification is issued, mandated, delegated, recognized or approved by a government unless a current competent public act supports the exact limited claim.
Any lawful relationship shall identify jurisdiction, authority, instrument, scope and date separately from ICEQC certification.
A representation concerning government-approval claims shall identify or provide immediate access to the issuer, certified or published object, scope, controlling ICEQC documents and editions, current status and material limitations necessary for a reasonable reader.
Registration of ICEQC as an organization or ordinary legal compliance does not establish governmental endorsement.
For government-approval claims, wording, imagery, layout, omission, translation, metadata and surrounding context shall be considered together when determining whether the representation is misleading.
Terms such as official approval or government certified shall be removed where their public meaning exceeds evidence.
A materially inaccurate or unauthorized representation concerning government-approval claims shall be corrected promptly and shall not remain in use merely because it was once approved, widely distributed or technically difficult to update.
ICEQC-GOV-009 · Clause 54
Accreditation claims
ICEQC certification shall not be described as institutional, programme, laboratory, personnel-body or other accreditation unless the exact separate accreditation status and scope are independently true and clearly distinguished.
The certificate and register shall maintain the voluntary ICEQC certification boundary.
A representation concerning accreditation claims shall identify or provide immediate access to the issuer, certified or published object, scope, controlling ICEQC documents and editions, current status and material limitations necessary for a reasonable reader.
Use of standards terminology, external assessment or international activity does not by itself create accreditation.
For accreditation claims, wording, imagery, layout, omission, translation, metadata and surrounding context shall be considered together when determining whether the representation is misleading.
Ambiguous target-language terms shall use an explanatory formulation preventing equivalence.
A materially inaccurate or unauthorized representation concerning accreditation claims shall be corrected promptly and shall not remain in use merely because it was once approved, widely distributed or technically difficult to update.
ICEQC-GOV-009 · Clause 55
Degree and qualification recognition
No ICEQC standard or certificate shall be represented as recognizing, validating or granting a degree, diploma, academic credit, qualification, professional title or transfer equivalence unless that exact object is within a lawful separately published authority.
Provider-quality certification shall remain distinct from learner credentials and admission decisions.
A representation concerning degree and qualification recognition shall identify or provide immediate access to the issuer, certified or published object, scope, controlling ICEQC documents and editions, current status and material limitations necessary for a reasonable reader.
A university, employer, regulator or credential evaluator retains its own decision authority.
For degree and qualification recognition, wording, imagery, layout, omission, translation, metadata and surrounding context shall be considered together when determining whether the representation is misleading.
Misleading recognition statements shall be corrected for affected learners and prospective users.
A materially inaccurate or unauthorized representation concerning degree and qualification recognition shall be corrected promptly and shall not remain in use merely because it was once approved, widely distributed or technically difficult to update.
ICEQC-GOV-009 · Clause 56
Licensing and authorization claims
ICEQC certification shall not be represented as a licence, legal authorization to operate, professional registration, market access or permission to deliver regulated education.
Any separate licence held by a client may be stated with issuing authority and scope independently of ICEQC.
A representation concerning licensing and authorization claims shall identify or provide immediate access to the issuer, certified or published object, scope, controlling ICEQC documents and editions, current status and material limitations necessary for a reasonable reader.
Certification does not replace continuing legal responsibility or specialist approvals.
For licensing and authorization claims, wording, imagery, layout, omission, translation, metadata and surrounding context shall be considered together when determining whether the representation is misleading.
Combined displays shall be arranged so audiences do not attribute the external authority to ICEQC.
A materially inaccurate or unauthorized representation concerning licensing and authorization claims shall be corrected promptly and shall not remain in use merely because it was once approved, widely distributed or technically difficult to update.
ICEQC-GOV-009 · Clause 57
Employment, admission and immigration claims
Certification shall not be used to guarantee employment, admission, credit transfer, visa, immigration, funding, procurement success or eligibility decided by another authority.
A factual statement that a decision maker may consider certification shall identify the independent policy or source.
A representation concerning employment, admission and immigration claims shall identify or provide immediate access to the issuer, certified or published object, scope, controlling ICEQC documents and editions, current status and material limitations necessary for a reasonable reader.
Testimonials or historical outcomes shall not be converted into promises.
For employment, admission and immigration claims, wording, imagery, layout, omission, translation, metadata and surrounding context shall be considered together when determining whether the representation is misleading.
Claims capable of causing significant personal reliance shall be corrected prominently and without delay.
A materially inaccurate or unauthorized representation concerning employment, admission and immigration claims shall be corrected promptly and shall not remain in use merely because it was once approved, widely distributed or technically difficult to update.
ICEQC-GOV-009 · Clause 58
Safety and regulated-product claims
Education-quality certification of a product or service shall not be represented as electrical, mechanical, chemical, medical, privacy, cybersecurity, transport, food, building or other regulated safety approval.
Recognized external evidence may support limited ICEQC assessment but shall retain issuer, scope and status.
A representation concerning safety and regulated-product claims shall identify or provide immediate access to the issuer, certified or published object, scope, controlling ICEQC documents and editions, current status and material limitations necessary for a reasonable reader.
An ICEQC mark shall not replace legally required conformity marks or warnings.
For safety and regulated-product claims, wording, imagery, layout, omission, translation, metadata and surrounding context shall be considered together when determining whether the representation is misleading.
Packaging and advertising shall state material boundaries where a reasonable buyer could infer specialist approval.
A materially inaccurate or unauthorized representation concerning safety and regulated-product claims shall be corrected promptly and shall not remain in use merely because it was once approved, widely distributed or technically difficult to update.
ICEQC-GOV-009 · Clause 59
External standards-body claims
Reference to an external standards developer, national standards body or other standards organization shall be accurate and shall not imply that the body issued, approved, accredited or jointly owns ICEQC certification.
Any membership, liaison, purchased standard or methodological reference shall be described only within verified terms.
A representation concerning external standards-body claims shall identify or provide immediate access to the issuer, certified or published object, scope, controlling ICEQC documents and editions, current status and material limitations necessary for a reasonable reader.
Use of similar drafting language or conformity concepts does not establish equivalence or endorsement.
For external standards-body claims, wording, imagery, layout, omission, translation, metadata and surrounding context shall be considered together when determining whether the representation is misleading.
Logos and names shall not be combined into a composite mark without documented permission and clear separate roles.
A materially inaccurate or unauthorized representation concerning external standards-body claims shall be corrected promptly and shall not remain in use merely because it was once approved, widely distributed or technically difficult to update.
ICEQC-GOV-009 · Clause 60
Intergovernmental and international-body claims
Reference to an intergovernmental, supranational or international public body shall not imply affiliation, consultative status, approval or recognition absent a current public basis.
Citations to principles, data or policy shall identify source and informative purpose.
A representation concerning intergovernmental and international-body claims shall identify or provide immediate access to the issuer, certified or published object, scope, controlling ICEQC documents and editions, current status and material limitations necessary for a reasonable reader.
The word international in ICEQC's scope does not mean intergovernmental authority.
For intergovernmental and international-body claims, wording, imagery, layout, omission, translation, metadata and surrounding context shall be considered together when determining whether the representation is misleading.
A misleading institutional association shall be corrected across all languages and promotional channels.
A materially inaccurate or unauthorized representation concerning intergovernmental and international-body claims shall be corrected promptly and shall not remain in use merely because it was once approved, widely distributed or technically difficult to update.
ICEQC-GOV-009 · Clause 61
Swiss identity claims
ICEQC may state its establishment or location in Switzerland accurately but shall not imply Swiss federal, cantonal or municipal approval, accreditation or official status without a separate competent act.
Address and legal-form information shall remain verifiable and current.
A representation concerning swiss identity claims shall identify or provide immediate access to the issuer, certified or published object, scope, controlling ICEQC documents and editions, current status and material limitations necessary for a reasonable reader.
Swiss imagery, flags, seals or official-looking design shall not be used to create governmental meaning.
For swiss identity claims, wording, imagery, layout, omission, translation, metadata and surrounding context shall be considered together when determining whether the representation is misleading.
An inaccurate location or legal-form statement shall be corrected without altering historical document issuer identity.
A materially inaccurate or unauthorized representation concerning swiss identity claims shall be corrected promptly and shall not remain in use merely because it was once approved, widely distributed or technically difficult to update.
ICEQC-GOV-009 · Clause 62
Authorized wording
ICEQC may prescribe concise certification statements for common object classes and languages, and a certified client shall use them without material alteration where required.
The wording shall include or link to scope and verification and shall remain consistent with the Scheme and register.
A representation concerning authorized wording shall identify or provide immediate access to the issuer, certified or published object, scope, controlling ICEQC documents and editions, current status and material limitations necessary for a reasonable reader.
A shorter paraphrase is permitted only where it does not broaden or officialize meaning.
For authorized wording, wording, imagery, layout, omission, translation, metadata and surrounding context shall be considered together when determining whether the representation is misleading.
Updated wording shall receive a reasonable transition unless immediate correction of deception is necessary.
A materially inaccurate or unauthorized representation concerning authorized wording shall be corrected promptly and shall not remain in use merely because it was once approved, widely distributed or technically difficult to update.
ICEQC-GOV-009 · Clause 63
Translation of claims
A translated certification statement shall preserve issuer, certification rather than accreditation, exact object, scope, status, dates and limitations.
Controlled terminology under ICEQC-GOV-007 shall be used where available and the authoritative register shall remain accessible.
A representation concerning translation of claims shall identify or provide immediate access to the issuer, certified or published object, scope, controlling ICEQC documents and editions, current status and material limitations necessary for a reasonable reader.
A prestigious local term shall not be selected when its ordinary meaning implies government or degree recognition.
For translation of claims, wording, imagery, layout, omission, translation, metadata and surrounding context shall be considered together when determining whether the representation is misleading.
The client shall correct translations that ICEQC reasonably determines are inaccurate or misleading.
A materially inaccurate or unauthorized representation concerning translation of claims shall be corrected promptly and shall not remain in use merely because it was once approved, widely distributed or technically difficult to update.
ICEQC-GOV-009 · Clause 64
Third-party profile and marketplace
A listing on a marketplace, app store, review site, directory or partner portal shall reproduce current certification facts and provide verification where the platform permits.
The certified client remains responsible for claims it supplies or controls and shall seek correction of material platform errors.
A representation concerning third-party profile and marketplace shall identify or provide immediate access to the issuer, certified or published object, scope, controlling ICEQC documents and editions, current status and material limitations necessary for a reasonable reader.
Platform categories, badges or automated labels shall not convert certification into accreditation, rating or platform endorsement.
For third-party profile and marketplace, wording, imagery, layout, omission, translation, metadata and surrounding context shall be considered together when determining whether the representation is misleading.
ICEQC may publish clarification where third-party correction is not reasonably obtained and public reliance is material.
A materially inaccurate or unauthorized representation concerning third-party profile and marketplace shall be corrected promptly and shall not remain in use merely because it was once approved, widely distributed or technically difficult to update.
ICEQC-GOV-009 · Clause 70
Search and metadata claims
Page titles, descriptions, keywords, schema data, image text and other metadata shall communicate the same certification scope and status as visible content.
Exact identifier searches shall lead to the authoritative ICEQC record where controlled by ICEQC.
A representation concerning search and metadata claims shall identify or provide immediate access to the issuer, certified or published object, scope, controlling ICEQC documents and editions, current status and material limitations necessary for a reasonable reader.
Hidden keywords shall not claim government approval, accreditation, ranking or unrelated certified objects.
For search and metadata claims, wording, imagery, layout, omission, translation, metadata and surrounding context shall be considered together when determining whether the representation is misleading.
Metadata shall be corrected with visible claims because search snippets may independently influence users.
A materially inaccurate or unauthorized representation concerning search and metadata claims shall be corrected promptly and shall not remain in use merely because it was once approved, widely distributed or technically difficult to update.
ICEQC-GOV-009 · Clause 74
Suspended certification
During suspension the affected scope shall not be represented as active certification, although factual suspended status may be stated where not misleading.
The Public Register shall show suspension, affected scope and relevant public dates under the Scheme.
A representation concerning suspended certification shall identify or provide immediate access to the issuer, certified or published object, scope, controlling ICEQC documents and editions, current status and material limitations necessary for a reasonable reader.
The mark, active badge and current-certification wording shall cease for the suspended scope.
For suspended certification, wording, imagery, layout, omission, translation, metadata and surrounding context shall be considered together when determining whether the representation is misleading.
Restoration claims shall begin only after authorized decision and register update.
A materially inaccurate or unauthorized representation concerning suspended certification shall be corrected promptly and shall not remain in use merely because it was once approved, widely distributed or technically difficult to update.
ICEQC-GOV-009 · Clause 75
Reduced certification
After scope reduction, certificates, marks, websites and statements shall be confined to the retained registered scope.
The register shall identify effective removed and retained boundaries and any reissued certificate.
A representation concerning reduced certification shall identify or provide immediate access to the issuer, certified or published object, scope, controlling ICEQC documents and editions, current status and material limitations necessary for a reasonable reader.
Historic broader scope shall not be presented without its former period and reduction context.
For reduced certification, wording, imagery, layout, omission, translation, metadata and surrounding context shall be considered together when determining whether the representation is misleading.
Materials implying the removed scope remains certified shall be corrected promptly.
A materially inaccurate or unauthorized representation concerning reduced certification shall be corrected promptly and shall not remain in use merely because it was once approved, widely distributed or technically difficult to update.
ICEQC-GOV-009 · Clause 76
Withdrawn certification
After withdrawal no person shall claim current ICEQC certification for the affected scope and active marks and verification devices shall cease.
The register shall retain withdrawn historical status and effective date and may state reason within applicable disclosure rules.
A representation concerning withdrawn certification shall identify or provide immediate access to the issuer, certified or published object, scope, controlling ICEQC documents and editions, current status and material limitations necessary for a reasonable reader.
A pending appeal shall not preserve active claims unless a published rule or interim decision expressly provides it.
For withdrawn certification, wording, imagery, layout, omission, translation, metadata and surrounding context shall be considered together when determining whether the representation is misleading.
Continuing false claims shall receive proportionate enforcement and public clarification.
A materially inaccurate or unauthorized representation concerning withdrawn certification shall be corrected promptly and shall not remain in use merely because it was once approved, widely distributed or technically difficult to update.
ICEQC-GOV-009 · Clause 77
Expired certification
After expiry the former holder may state historical certification only with the exact period and without implying current validity.
The register shall show expired status and a new application or pending renewal shall remain distinct.
A representation concerning expired certification shall identify or provide immediate access to the issuer, certified or published object, scope, controlling ICEQC documents and editions, current status and material limitations necessary for a reasonable reader.
Use of a certificate bearing a past expiry date without clear historic context is not a current claim.
For expired certification, wording, imagery, layout, omission, translation, metadata and surrounding context shall be considered together when determining whether the representation is misleading.
Recurring automated and third-party profiles shall be corrected where they continue to display active status.
A materially inaccurate or unauthorized representation concerning expired certification shall be corrected promptly and shall not remain in use merely because it was once approved, widely distributed or technically difficult to update.
ICEQC-GOV-009 · Clause 78
Historical claims
A truthful historical claim shall identify the period, object, scope and edition and shall not omit later suspension, reduction or withdrawal where omission materially misleads.
Archive and Public Register records shall permit verification of former status.
A representation concerning historical claims shall identify or provide immediate access to the issuer, certified or published object, scope, controlling ICEQC documents and editions, current status and material limitations necessary for a reasonable reader.
Expressions such as certified since shall not imply uninterrupted current certification where cycles or gaps existed.
For historical claims, wording, imagery, layout, omission, translation, metadata and surrounding context shall be considered together when determining whether the representation is misleading.
Historical statements shall be corrected if new context makes the earlier concise form misleading.
A materially inaccurate or unauthorized representation concerning historical claims shall be corrected promptly and shall not remain in use merely because it was once approved, widely distributed or technically difficult to update.
ICEQC-GOV-009 · Clause 79
Pending and provisional status
Application, assessment, technical review, recommendation and provisional internal conclusions shall not be represented as certification.
Public statements may describe an application fact only where lawful, accurate and not likely to imply approval.
A representation concerning pending and provisional status shall identify or provide immediate access to the issuer, certified or published object, scope, controlling ICEQC documents and editions, current status and material limitations necessary for a reasonable reader.
ICEQC shall not issue a provisional certification mark or active register status before an authorized positive decision.
For pending and provisional status, wording, imagery, layout, omission, translation, metadata and surrounding context shall be considered together when determining whether the representation is misleading.
Premature claims shall be withdrawn and shall not influence the independent decision.
A materially inaccurate or unauthorized representation concerning pending and provisional status shall be corrected promptly and shall not remain in use merely because it was once approved, widely distributed or technically difficult to update.
ICEQC-GOV-009 · Clause 80
Correction of public claims
A correction shall address the same language, medium, prominence, duration and audience reasonably affected by the original misleading claim.
It shall state the accurate status or scope and link to authoritative verification.
A representation concerning correction of public claims shall identify or provide immediate access to the issuer, certified or published object, scope, controlling ICEQC documents and editions, current status and material limitations necessary for a reasonable reader.
Quiet deletion may be insufficient where recipients retain a false understanding or made significant decisions.
For correction of public claims, wording, imagery, layout, omission, translation, metadata and surrounding context shall be considered together when determining whether the representation is misleading.
Correction shall not itself imply that certification remains active or that ICEQC endorsed the underlying product.
A materially inaccurate or unauthorized representation concerning correction of public claims shall be corrected promptly and shall not remain in use merely because it was once approved, widely distributed or technically difficult to update.
ICEQC-GOV-009 · Clause 81
Misuse reporting
Any person may report suspected misuse of an ICEQC name, mark, certificate, number, Standard or certification claim through an accessible public route.
The report may include location, copy, date and reason but shall not require legal characterization or a relationship with ICEQC.
A representation concerning misuse reporting shall identify or provide immediate access to the issuer, certified or published object, scope, controlling ICEQC documents and editions, current status and material limitations necessary for a reasonable reader.
Receipt does not establish misuse and protected personal information shall be handled proportionately.
For misuse reporting, wording, imagery, layout, omission, translation, metadata and surrounding context shall be considered together when determining whether the representation is misleading.
A credible urgent risk shall receive interim public protection while fair review proceeds.
A materially inaccurate or unauthorized representation concerning misuse reporting shall be corrected promptly and shall not remain in use merely because it was once approved, widely distributed or technically difficult to update.
ICEQC-GOV-009 · Clause 82
Misuse review
ICEQC shall assess the complete representation, source control, status, scope, audience, language, intent, reach and likelihood of harmful reliance.
The affected person shall ordinarily have an opportunity to explain or correct before an adverse final conclusion, subject to urgent protection.
A representation concerning misuse review shall identify or provide immediate access to the issuer, certified or published object, scope, controlling ICEQC documents and editions, current status and material limitations necessary for a reasonable reader.
The record shall identify applicable rules, evidence, conclusion, authority and response.
For misuse review, wording, imagery, layout, omission, translation, metadata and surrounding context shall be considered together when determining whether the representation is misleading.
Commercial value, client status or criticism of ICEQC shall not determine the technical misuse conclusion.
A materially inaccurate or unauthorized representation concerning misuse review shall be corrected promptly and shall not remain in use merely because it was once approved, widely distributed or technically difficult to update.
ICEQC-GOV-009 · Clause 83
Proportionate response
A response may include clarification, correction request, claim restriction, certificate-status referral, platform notice, rights enforcement or public warning proportionate to severity and persistence.
The competent certification authority shall decide suspension, reduction or withdrawal and separation of functions shall remain intact.
A representation concerning proportionate response shall identify or provide immediate access to the issuer, certified or published object, scope, controlling ICEQC documents and editions, current status and material limitations necessary for a reasonable reader.
An innocent minor error shall not be treated like deliberate fraud, while rapid correction shall not erase material prior reliance.
For proportionate response, wording, imagery, layout, omission, translation, metadata and surrounding context shall be considered together when determining whether the representation is misleading.
The response and closure shall be recorded and systemic issues addressed.
A materially inaccurate or unauthorized representation concerning proportionate response shall be corrected promptly and shall not remain in use merely because it was once approved, widely distributed or technically difficult to update.
ICEQC-GOV-009 · Clause 84
Third-party misuse
Where a person outside the certified client's control misuses ICEQC identity, ICEQC and the client shall take reasonable role-appropriate steps without automatically attributing the act to the client.
The source and relationship shall be verified and public clarification provided where needed.
A representation concerning third-party misuse shall identify or provide immediate access to the issuer, certified or published object, scope, controlling ICEQC documents and editions, current status and material limitations necessary for a reasonable reader.
A client may remain responsible where it supplied, encouraged, benefited from or failed to correct controllable misleading material.
For third-party misuse, wording, imagery, layout, omission, translation, metadata and surrounding context shall be considered together when determining whether the representation is misleading.
Enforcement shall target the actual representation and shall not broaden certification liability without evidence.
A materially inaccurate or unauthorized representation concerning third-party misuse shall be corrected promptly and shall not remain in use merely because it was once approved, widely distributed or technically difficult to update.
ICEQC-GOV-009 · Clause 85
Counterfeit certificates
A fabricated, altered or unauthorized certificate shall be identified as invalid and shall not receive a legitimate register status or reused identifier.
ICEQC shall preserve evidence, protect affected persons, clarify authentic verification and refer unlawful conduct where appropriate.
A representation concerning counterfeit certificates shall identify or provide immediate access to the issuer, certified or published object, scope, controlling ICEQC documents and editions, current status and material limitations necessary for a reasonable reader.
A counterfeit concerning a real client shall not automatically change the client's valid status without competent review.
For counterfeit certificates, wording, imagery, layout, omission, translation, metadata and surrounding context shall be considered together when determining whether the representation is misleading.
Public warnings shall disclose enough to prevent reliance without exposing unnecessary personal or investigative information.
A materially inaccurate or unauthorized representation concerning counterfeit certificates shall be corrected promptly and shall not remain in use merely because it was once approved, widely distributed or technically difficult to update.
ICEQC-GOV-009 · Clause 89
Monitoring public identity
ICEQC shall monitor its controlled channels, register, certificate verification and material known claim patterns for consistency and misuse risk.
Monitoring shall be proportionate and shall respect privacy, lawful expression and independence of criticism.
A representation concerning monitoring public identity shall identify or provide immediate access to the issuer, certified or published object, scope, controlling ICEQC documents and editions, current status and material limitations necessary for a reasonable reader.
Aggregate themes shall inform wording, mark rules, translation and public education.
For monitoring public identity, wording, imagery, layout, omission, translation, metadata and surrounding context shall be considered together when determining whether the representation is misleading.
Absence of detected misuse shall not be represented as proof that every external claim is accurate.
A materially inaccurate or unauthorized representation concerning monitoring public identity shall be corrected promptly and shall not remain in use merely because it was once approved, widely distributed or technically difficult to update.
ICEQC-GOV-009 · Clause 90
Systematic identity review
These identity rules shall be reviewed for changing media, languages, technology, law, user understanding, certification objects and recurring misuse.
Review shall consider register usability, certificate clarity, claim correction and whether institutional boundaries remain prominent.
A representation concerning systematic identity review shall identify or provide immediate access to the issuer, certified or published object, scope, controlling ICEQC documents and editions, current status and material limitations necessary for a reasonable reader.
A revised rule shall provide transition for legitimate materials without preserving deception.
For systematic identity review, wording, imagery, layout, omission, translation, metadata and surrounding context shall be considered together when determining whether the representation is misleading.
Historic representations shall retain their actual context and shall not be rewritten to suggest they complied with a later rule.
A materially inaccurate or unauthorized representation concerning systematic identity review shall be corrected promptly and shall not remain in use merely because it was once approved, widely distributed or technically difficult to update.