Policies and Procedures

Controlling policy hierarchy

ICEQC policies and procedures must be read in their controlled hierarchy. The Standards System Charter governs the system as a whole; Governance and Document Control instruments govern document authority and publication; General Certification Rules govern the certification lifecycle; object-specific schemes and applicability modules determine the requirements for a defined certification object and scope.

This public policy directory states the principal safeguards and provides direct access to the controlling instruments. It does not authorise an exception, create an unpublished criterion or replace a case-specific written notice. Where a summary and a controlled provision differ, the current authoritative controlled provision prevails.

ICEQC applies published conditions without improper discrimination. Requirements are determined by the certification object, confirmed scope, applicability rules and relevant facts—not by nationality, organisation size, fee level, membership, prominence or a promised result. Applicable law continues independently of voluntary certification.

ICEQC-CER-001 · Clause 3

Authority and application

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.

• reduce a protection or control established by this document
• permit scoring, ranking, grading or tiered certification
• combine assessment and certification decision in a manner that impairs independent review
• permit certification while an applicable nonconformity remains open; or
• enlarge the meaning or effect of certification beyond the verified scope

ICEQC-CER-001 · Clause 4

Nature of ICEQC certification

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-CER-001 · Clause 5

Certification boundary

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.

• a licence or legal authorization to provide education
• governmental approval or statutory registration
• institutional or programme accreditation
• recognition of a degree, diploma, qualification, credit, professional title or occupational right
• approval of a curriculum by a public authority
• market authorization or specialist product approval
• a statutory inspection of premises, equipment, transport, food, accommodation, health services or other regulated matters; or
• a guarantee that every learner will achieve a stated result

ICEQC-CER-001 · Clause 6

Governing principles

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.

• impartiality
• competence
• responsibility
• openness concerning the applicable rules and certification status
• confidentiality and lawful information handling
• responsiveness to complaints and appeals
• evidence-based decision making
• proportionality to the certification object and risk
• consistency across comparable cases; and
• protection of learners and the public against misleading certification claims

ICEQC-CER-001 · Clause 7

Binary conformity model

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.

• a total score or percentage
• weighting or averaging
• ranking or comparison with another applicant
• a grade, star, medal, tier, maturity level or distinction
• compensating strength in another requirement; or
• the number, scale, reputation or fee level of the applicant
• every applicable assessment unit conforms
• every nonconformity has been corrected
• corrective action has been verified where required
• every material evidence concern has been resolved
• the technical review is complete; and
• an authorized person independent of the assessment makes the certification decision

ICEQC-CER-001 · Clause 12

Scheme ownership and accountability

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.

• the objectives, content and integrity of the scheme
• approval and publication of scheme documents
• interpretation of scheme requirements
• competence and authorization of persons performing scheme activities
• control of certification decisions, certificates, the public register and marks
• impartiality and confidentiality
• complaints and appeals
• scheme monitoring, review, correction and improvement; and
• action against misuse or fraudulent claims

ICEQC-CER-001 · Clause 14

Scheme approval and publication

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.

• technically reviewed
• checked for conformity with these General Rules
• validated for operational use
• approved by the authorized ICEQC approval body
• assigned a controlled identifier, edition and effective date; and
• published in the ICEQC document register
• the authoritative language
• the document status
• the effective date
• any transition period
• the documents that form the scheme
• public guidance
• the complaint and enquiry route; and
• the location of the current controlled text

ICEQC-CER-001 · Clause 16

Access to certification

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.

• identity and authority to apply
• legal operation within the proposed scope
• minimum operational history or evidence period where assessment of continuing performance is necessary
• availability of evidence
• ability to enter a certification agreement
• unresolved fraud, misuse or serious integrity concerns
• prior suspension or withdrawal; and
• the safety and feasibility of the assessment

ICEQC-CER-001 · Clause 17

Pre-application information

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

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

• the applicable scheme and certification objects
• the principal requirements
• the application and assessment process
• the binary conformity model
• typical evidence routes
• fees and the basis for additional charges
• the certification cycle and surveillance
• certificate, public register and claim-use rules
• confidentiality and information handling
• complaint and appeal routes; and
• the boundary and limitations of certification
• design the applicant's system
• prepare evidence on the applicant's behalf
• guarantee that a proposed method will conform
• predict a positive certification decision; or
• compromise the impartiality of a later assessment

ICEQC-CER-001 · Clause 22

Fees and financial independence

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.

• a promise or expectation of certification
• the number of nonconformities avoided or closed
• a higher certification level or distinction
• the applicant's willingness to purchase unrelated services; or
• a commission contingent upon a positive decision
• the ordinary fees and payment stages
• the basis for additional assessment, travel by an external evidence provider, specialist review or expedited administration
• cancellation and refund conditions; and
• the financial consequences of suspension, withdrawal or termination

ICEQC-CER-001 · Clause 23

Assignment and control of the certification case

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.

• the applicant
• the proposed object and scope
• the applicable scheme, standards, modules and editions
• the assessment programme
• assigned personnel and declared conflicts
• evidence requests and submissions
• findings and corrective action
• review and decision records
• certificate and public register records; and
• subsequent surveillance, change and complaint activity

ICEQC-CER-001 · Clause 25

Definition of the certification object

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 official and trading names used
• the responsible legal entity or person
• the nature and intended purpose of the object
• the learners, users or beneficiaries concerned
• the activities, functions, services or products included
• the locations, jurisdictions and delivery modes
• the platforms, versions, models or configurations
• the external providers and shared-control arrangements
• relevant exclusions and limitations; and
• the public claims the applicant intends to make

ICEQC-CER-001 · Clause 26

Certification scope

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.

• be objectively identifiable
• not remove an activity essential to the stated educational purpose
• not mislead a user concerning the object certified
• not remove an applicable learner protection obligation; and
• be recorded where material to proper interpretation

ICEQC-CER-001 · Clause 27

Applicability determination

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.

• the common core requirements
• the primary sector or object-specific standard
• each mandatory module
• each conditionally triggered requirement
• any requirement proposed as not applicable; and
• the objective basis for the determination

ICEQC-CER-001 · Clause 30

Legal and specialist matters

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.

• whether the evidence is relevant to the certification object
• whether the applicant has identified and controlled the related obligation
• whether limitations or conditions are reflected in operations and public information; and
• whether the matter affects the certification scope or decision

ICEQC-CER-001 · Clause 32

Assessment programme

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.

• the assessment objectives
• the certification criteria
• the scope and boundaries of each activity
• the assessment methods and evidence routes
• the sites, entities, functions, versions and learner groups to be covered
• sampling principles
• the evidence period
• assigned personnel and competence
• technical or language support
• timing, sequence and dependencies
• confidentiality, privacy and information security controls
• foreseeable limitations and contingency arrangements; and
• reporting, review and decision outputs

ICEQC-CER-001 · Clause 33

Risk-responsive assessment depth

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.

• the possible effect of failure on learners or other beneficiaries
• minors or persons requiring additional protection
• high-impact educational or disciplinary decisions
• automated educational functions
• personal or sensitive information
• claims of educational results or effectiveness
• physical, health, safety or specialist dependencies
• novelty, complexity or rapid change
• scale, geographic dispersion and multi-entity control
• complaint, incident and nonconformity history
• reliability of the available evidence environment; and
• prior certification performance

ICEQC-CER-001 · Clause 41

Assessment team

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.

• confirming the plan and assignments
• directing evidence collection
• maintaining fair and professional conduct
• managing changes and limitations
• communicating material concerns
• ensuring findings are evidence-based and traceable; and
• completing the assessment report

ICEQC-CER-001 · Clause 42

Identity, authority and participation

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.

• answer on behalf of another participant
• coach or intimidate an interviewee
• prevent confidential communication authorized by the assessment plan
• select all evidence samples or interviewees; or
• retaliate against a person for participating honestly

ICEQC-CER-001 · Clause 45

Controlled information and records

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.

• source metadata
• version and approval history
• access or change logs
• direct system demonstration
• comparison with the source record
• confirmation by an authorized custodian; or
• another authenticity control

ICEQC-CER-001 · Clause 50

Evidence authenticity and anti-fraud checks

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.

• source and metadata review
• digital signature or verification link
• direct issuer confirmation
• reconciliation across systems or records
• selection from a complete population
• review of access, creation or change history
• comparison of public and submitted information
• live reproduction of a result
• anomaly or duplication analysis; and
• confirmation with an affected party where lawful and necessary

ICEQC-CER-001 · Clause 51

Use of digital and automated tools in certification

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.

• document organization
• extraction and indexing
• cross-reference and completeness checking
• duplicate or anomaly detection
• transcription and translation support
• scheduling and workflow control; and
• preparation of non-decisional summaries
• assign a certification score or ranking
• independently determine conformity
• independently issue or close a nonconformity
• independently make a certification decision
• replace required professional judgement; or
• use confidential applicant information for unrelated model training or product improvement

ICEQC-CER-001 · Clause 55

Conformity conclusions

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-CER-001 · Clause 57

Critical integrity and protection matters

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.

• immediate serious risk to a learner
• deliberate fabrication or substitution of certification evidence
• bribery, coercion or improper influence directed at certification personnel or participants
• fraudulent use of an ICEQC certificate or mark
• concealment of a material event necessary for a valid certification decision
• unauthorized access to protected certification information; or
• conduct that makes continued assessment unsafe or fundamentally unreliable

ICEQC-CER-001 · Clause 65

Technical review

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.

• the application and scope are complete and unambiguous
• applicable requirements and not-applicable determinations are correct
• the assessment programme and methods were suitable
• assigned personnel were competent and impartial
• sampling and evidence were sufficient and reliable
• findings are traceable to requirements and evidence
• every nonconformity is properly classified and closed where required
• remote and external evidence limitations are resolved
• the proposed certificate and public record are accurate
• the assessment conclusion is supported; and
• the case is complete for decision

ICEQC-CER-001 · Clause 66

Independence of certification decision

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.

• possess competence appropriate to the scheme and decision
• have access to the complete review record
• be free from commercial or other improper pressure
• not have participated in the assessment on which the decision is based
• not have provided prohibited consultancy to the applicant; and
• declare and resolve any conflict of interest

ICEQC-CER-001 · Clause 72

No automated or delegated decision

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.

• an assessor involved in the case
• a sales or referral party
• an external evidence issuer; or
• an automated tool

ICEQC-CER-001 · Clause 73

Issue and control of certificates

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.

• have a unique certificate number
• identify its issue and expiry dates
• identify the certified client and certification object without ambiguity
• identify the applicable ICEQC scheme, requirements, edition and modules
• state any site, delivery mode, product version, learner group or other boundary material to the scope
• state the current certification status or provide a direct means of verifying that status
• bear controlled authentication issued by ICEQC; and
• contain no statement that enlarges the effect of certification

ICEQC-CER-001 · Clause 75

ICEQC public certification register

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.

• the certificate number
• the certified client's verified name
• the certification object and scope
• the applicable scheme, requirement set, edition and modules
• the initial certification date and current expiry date
• the current status and the date from which that status applies
• material scope limitations
• the sites, versions or delivery modes included where material; and
• the authenticity of the corresponding certificate

ICEQC-CER-001 · Clause 76

Certification claims

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.

• while certification is active
• in relation to the certified client and certification object identified in the public register
• within the approved scope
• using the approved scheme and certificate identity; and
• in a form that does not mislead a reasonable recipient
• the organization holding certification
• the specific certification object
• included and excluded sites, programmes, services, products or delivery modes; and
• active and former certification periods
• every activity, site, programme, product or service of the client is certified where the scope is narrower
• certification is a score, ranking, award, grade or comparative endorsement
• ICEQC recommends the client over another provider
• ICEQC guarantees learning outcomes, employment, progression, safety, legal compliance or commercial performance
• a person, qualification or product is separately certified where it is not the certification object
• certification continues after expiry, suspension, withdrawal or termination; or
• certification has a legal effect excluded by clause 5

ICEQC-CER-001 · Clause 79

Misleading or unauthorized use

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.

• stop the use immediately
• remove or amend the material
• notify affected recipients
• publish a correction proportionate to the original claim
• return or destroy controlled materials; and
• provide evidence of completed correction

ICEQC-CER-001 · Clause 82

Surveillance programme

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.

• periodic status confirmations
• review of selected performance information
• review of complaints, incidents and public claims
• assessor-selected sampling of current records
• interviews or live remote demonstrations
• verification of recognized external evidence
• review of major changes and new risks
• monitoring of mark and claim use; and
• special review where a trigger arises

ICEQC-CER-001 · Clause 89

Expiry and lapse

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.

• the client applied late
• evidence remains outstanding
• a nonconformity remains open
• technical review or decision cannot be completed because the case is incomplete; or
• the client has made commercial commitments based on expected renewal

ICEQC-CER-001 · Clause 91

Duty to notify change

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.

• conformity with an applicable requirement
• the identity, ownership or control of the certified client
• the certification object or scope
• the reliability or availability of assessment evidence
• the validity of required legal or specialist evidence
• the accuracy of certification claims; or
• the ability to meet an obligation under the certification agreement

ICEQC-CER-001 · Clause 94

Special review triggers

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.

• possible nonconformity
• learner or public harm
• an invalid, suspended, withdrawn or materially restricted legal or specialist standing
• fraudulent, altered, concealed or unreliable evidence
• a material complaint or pattern of complaints
• misuse of certification or the ICEQC identity
• an unreported major change
• a significant information security or privacy incident
• cessation, insolvency or loss of operational control
• a material inconsistency between public information and certified scope; or
• failure to cooperate with required certification activity

ICEQC-CER-001 · Clause 95

Interim protective measures

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.

• restriction of a claim or mark use
• temporary removal of a disputed object, site or statement from public display
• an evidence preservation direction
• accelerated assessment
• a requirement for a public clarification; or
• interim suspension

ICEQC-CER-001 · Clause 96

Suspension

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.

• an applicable requirement is nonconforming and the matter is not suitable for immediate closure without a period of restricted status
• required surveillance or recertification activity is materially overdue
• the client fails to provide required information or access
• a material change has not been assessed
• the reliability of evidence or certification status is under serious unresolved doubt
• certification claims are materially misleading or unauthorized
• required fees remain unpaid after notice and a reasonable opportunity to remedy, provided that commercial action is not used to conceal a conformity concern
• the client requests temporary suspension for a legitimate reason; or
• another provision of an ICEQC scheme requires suspension
• the affected scope
• the grounds
• actions required for restoration
• the deadline for completion
• surveillance or verification required
• claim, mark and public-register consequences; and
• the right to appeal

ICEQC-CER-001 · Clause 99

Withdrawal

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 serious or persistent nonconformity is not corrected
• restoration requirements are not fulfilled within the suspension period
• fraudulent evidence, deliberate concealment or material misrepresentation is established
• the client repeatedly or seriously misuses certification
• the client refuses required access, assessment or cooperation
• the certified object has ceased and no valid reduced scope remains
• the client no longer has necessary legal existence, control or standing
• certification was granted on materially false information
• the certification agreement is terminated for a material breach affecting certification integrity; or
• the client requests withdrawal

ICEQC-CER-001 · Clause 102

Procedural fairness in adverse action

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.

• notice of the proposed decision or material concern
• sufficient information to understand the basis
• a reasonable opportunity to provide relevant information or correct factual error; and
• notice of the available appeal route

ICEQC-CER-001 · Clause 103

Access to complaint and appeal processes

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-CER-001 · Clause 112

Responsibility for impartiality

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.

• ownership, governance or financial interests
• commercial targets, fees or client dependence
• personal, family, employment or professional relationships
• prior or concurrent services provided to an applicant
• self-review of work performed by the same person or related party
• advocacy, referral, commission or success-based payment
• familiarity, intimidation, rivalry or reputational pressure
• shared personnel, systems, premises or branding
• group, partner or external-provider relationships; and
• pressure arising from a prominent, urgent or commercially important case

ICEQC-CER-001 · Clause 113

Impartiality oversight

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.

• risk assessments and conflict declarations
• personnel assignments and separation of functions
• fee concentration and referral arrangements
• complaints, appeals and allegations of bias
• decision consistency and exception approvals
• external provider relationships; and
• corrective action concerning impartiality failures

ICEQC-CER-001 · Clause 115

Separation of commercial and certification functions

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.

• select evidence samples
• determine conformity findings
• perform technical review
• make or influence a certification decision
• promise a result or timetable inconsistent with required activity; or
• alter a requirement, finding, scope or status for commercial reasons

ICEQC-CER-001 · Clause 116

Prohibition on client-specific certification consultancy

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.

• explain the meaning of a published requirement
• identify the evidence gap supporting a finding
• describe the process for submitting corrective action; and
• identify whether proposed evidence would be relevant to a requirement
• prescribe the client's corrective solution
• draft the client's required policy, process or record
• make management decisions for the client
• guarantee that a proposed action will obtain certification before verification; or
• take responsibility for establishing the client's conformity

ICEQC-CER-001 · Clause 117

Competence framework

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.

• education and sector knowledge
• knowledge of the certification object and delivery context
• knowledge of the applicable ICEQC scheme and requirements
• assessment, sampling, interviewing and evidence-evaluation skill
• remote assessment and digital-information skill
• ability to recognize integrity, learner-protection and specialist-evidence issues
• analytical reasoning and clear written communication
• technical review or decision competence
• complaint and appeal handling competence
• information protection and professional conduct; and
• language competence necessary for reliable activity

ICEQC-CER-001 · Clause 121

External personnel and service providers

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.

• the authorized activity and limits
• compliance with ICEQC procedures and directions
• confidentiality and information protection
• conflict disclosure and impartiality
• record ownership, access and return
• monitoring, review and corrective action
• prohibition on unauthorized subcontracting
• incident and complaint notification; and
• termination and transition obligations

ICEQC-CER-001 · Clause 124

Operational quality control

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.

• document and edition control
• application and case completeness
• competence and assignment authorization
• evidence and sample traceability
• technical review and decision separation
• certificate and register accuracy
• time controls and overdue action
• information protection
• complaints, appeals, incidents and nonconforming internal work
• data integrity and system access; and
• corrective action and management oversight

ICEQC-CER-001 · Clause 125

Confidentiality obligation

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.

• learner and personnel information
• internal records and systems
• commercial, technical and security information
• assessment evidence and interview content
• complaints, incidents and legal matters
• findings before controlled notification; and
• pending decisions and reviews

ICEQC-CER-001 · Clause 127

Privacy and data minimization

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.

• samples shall be de-identified or masked
• direct identifiers unrelated to the requirement shall be removed
• access shall be limited rather than copies retained
• learner information shall be aggregated; and
• sensitive content shall not be recorded in the assessment report

ICEQC-CER-001 · Clause 128

Information security

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.

• verified user identity and role-based access
• strong authentication
• secure transfer and storage
• device and session control
• access logging and periodic review
• backup and recovery
• secure disposal
• incident detection and response
• personnel confidentiality and security awareness; and
• service-provider security obligations

ICEQC-CER-001 · Clause 130

Information incident management

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.

• affected information and persons
• sensitivity and volume
• continuing exposure
• effect on evidence reliability or certification status
• containment and recovery needs
• notification obligations; and
• corrective action

ICEQC-CER-001 · Clause 131

Certification records

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.

• identifiable to the case, object, scope and activity
• dated and attributable to its creator or approver
• protected against unauthorized alteration
• retrievable throughout its retention period
• linked to the applicable document edition; and
• sufficient for an authorized person to reconstruct the material basis of the conclusion

ICEQC-CER-001 · Clause 132

Record retention and disposal

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.

ICEQC-CER-001 · Clause 144

Duty of candour and cooperation

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.

• providing accurate and current information
• disclosing material adverse information and scope limitations
• preserving relevant evidence
• identifying corrections to information already supplied
• ensuring that participants do not rehearse false statements or conceal conditions
• enabling reasonable verification; and
• complying with controlled certification directions

ICEQC-CER-001 · Clause 145

Evidence integrity

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.

• fabrication or falsification
• undisclosed alteration of content, date, authorship, identity or result
• substitution of a different person, site, product, cohort or record
• selective omission that creates a materially false impression
• undisclosed staging of a condition represented as ordinary operation
• impersonation or coached false testimony
• interference with an assessor-selected sample
• destruction or concealment after a preservation request; and
• use of generated or synthetic content as if it were an authentic operating record

ICEQC-CER-001 · Clause 148

Enforcement principles

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.

• seriousness and actual or potential harm
• intent, recklessness or negligence
• duration, frequency and reach
• whether the conduct was self-reported
• cooperation and preservation of evidence
• promptness and effectiveness of correction
• prior conduct and recurrence
• effect on evidence or public reliance; and
• the need to deter continued or similar misuse

ICEQC-CER-001 · Clause 149

Enforcement measures

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.

• issue a direction or formal warning
• require correction, removal, notification or public clarification
• require additional evidence or special assessment
• reject evidence or an application
• restrict a claim or mark licence
• suspend, reduce or withdraw certification
• terminate an agreement or authorization
• refuse a new application for a defined period
• preserve or publish necessary status information
• seek recovery, restraint or another contractual or legal remedy; or
• refer information where a lawful duty or serious public-protection need requires

ICEQC-CER-001 · Clause 150

Public correction and notification

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.

• identify the inaccurate representation
• state the accurate certification status or scope
• avoid minimizing or obscuring the correction
• provide a route to the ICEQC public register where relevant; and
• remain available for a period sufficient to reach the affected audience

ICEQC-CER-001 · Clause 152

Internal integrity concerns

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-CER-001 · Clause 153

Monitoring of scheme performance

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.

• application and eligibility patterns
• assessment findings and evidence difficulties
• decision consistency
• complaints, appeals and integrity matters
• certified-client and user feedback
• changes in education practice, delivery and technology
• learner and public-protection risks
• changes in law or specialist evidence environments
• remote-assessment effectiveness
• mark and claim use; and
• unintended burden, loopholes or ambiguity

ICEQC-CER-001 · Clause 154

Periodic scheme review

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.

• the scheme purpose and certification object remain valid
• scope and eligibility remain clear
• requirements are necessary, sufficient and assessable
• evidence routes remain reliable and proportionate
• decision and status rules remain effective
• surveillance and transition controls remain suitable
• public claims remain understandable; and
• revision, consolidation, replacement or withdrawal is required

ICEQC-CER-001 · Clause 157

Approval and publication of change

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.

• the document number and title
• edition or revision identity
• publication date
• effective date
• principal changes where material
• transition rules
• documents replaced or withdrawn; and

ICEQC-CER-001 · Clause 158

Transition to revised requirements

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.

• affected schemes, objects and clients
• old and new edition dates
• the transition period
• communication and acknowledgement requirements
• client implementation expectations
• required assessment and decision activity
• certificate and public-register changes
• treatment of new and pending applications
• treatment of surveillance and recertification cases; and
• consequences of failure to transition

ICEQC-CER-001 · Clause 159

Urgent protective change

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.

• define the risk and reason for urgency
• limit the change to what is necessary
• approve the change through authorized governance
• communicate the requirement, effect and implementation date promptly
• provide a reasonable implementation route so far as the risk permits; and
• review the change after implementation

ICEQC-CER-001 · Clause 160

Withdrawal or replacement of a scheme

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.

• the final date for new applications
• treatment of applications in progress
• the last date for decisions under the scheme
• the effect on active certificates
• surveillance and public-register arrangements
• any route to a replacement scheme
• certification claim consequences; and
• record retention and communication

ICEQC-CER-001 · Clause 162

Precedence and controlled use

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.

• an effective scheme-specific requirement expressly authorized to be more specific
• this document
• an authorized implementation rule that does not alter a published obligation; and
• guidance and examples