Non-negotiable public safeguards
Certification rules that commercial pressure cannot weaken
These safeguards apply across every current and future ICEQC certification object, market and delivery method.
01
Binary conformity
ICEQC makes only a conformity determination. Every applicable requirement is C or NC. N/A is permitted only with an objective written rationale and independent confirmation.
- rankings and league tables;
- scores, percentages and indices;
- gold, silver, bronze, stars or letter grades;
- ordinary, excellent, premium or distinction levels;
- offsetting one nonconformity with stronger performance elsewhere;
- higher status for larger payments, membership or market prominence.
02
Impartial assessment and decision
The certification decision is separated from assessment and sales. Decision-makers must be competent, must not have conducted the assessment and must document conflicts and rationale.
03
Complaints, appeals and correction
Applicants may correct every nonconformity and receive a documented review. Complaints and appeals follow separate, impartial routes and never become a lower certification grade.
04
Certificates and marks
A certificate and mark may identify only the legal holder, exact scope, applicable ICEQC standard and edition, status and dates. It may not display or claim certification, endorsement or approval belonging to any other standards, assessment or certification body.
05
ICEQC-only public standards identity
Every public standard, clause, scheme, certificate, registry record, download, metadata field and API response shall use only ICEQC standards and ICEQC certification identity.
06
Remote evidence boundary
ICEQC may complete its own work remotely, but it will not declare physical, technical, legal or regulated safety from documents alone. When required, recognized specialist evidence must be obtained or the scope narrowed or declined.