Purpose of the reporting route
The reporting route protects the integrity of ICEQC certification information and the persons who may rely on it. A report may concern a certificate holder, applicant, former holder, related entity, representative, consultant, digital platform or any other person using ICEQC identity or certification information inaccurately.
Submitting a report does not establish that misuse occurred. ICEQC evaluates the information, preserves relevant evidence and assigns any finding, correction, status action or enforcement measure to the authority established by the applicable controlled rules.
Matters that may be reported
- A certificate number or verification link that does not correspond to the Public Certificate Register.
- Alteration of the certificate holder, certification object, scope, applicable documents, dates, status, signature, authentication or other controlled information.
- Use of a certificate, mark or badge by an entity, site, programme, service, platform, product, model, version, partner or person outside the registered scope.
- A current-certification claim made after suspension, withdrawal or expiry, or concerning scope removed by an effective reduction decision.
- A claim that ICEQC certification is governmental authorization, statutory accreditation, licensing, degree recognition, academic equivalence, ranking, award or guaranteed outcome.
- Use of the ICEQC name, visual identity, domain-like address or document design to impersonate ICEQC or imply unauthorized representation.
- A promise of guaranteed, preferential or automatic certification, or a claim that payment, consultancy, training, membership or personal influence can secure an outcome.
Information to include
Subject
The legal or public name of the person making the claim and any known certificate number.
Location
The complete URL, platform, document, physical location or communication channel in which the representation appeared.
Representation
A screenshot, copy, file or accurate description showing the complete claim in context rather than an isolated fragment.
Date
The date and, where material, time on which the representation was observed.
Reason for concern
The field, scope, status, identity or claimed authority believed to be inconsistent with the register or ICEQC rules.
Public-protection information
Any reason the matter may require urgent containment, evidence preservation or public clarification.
Contact and confidentiality
Contact details if a response is requested and identification of information for which confidential treatment is sought.
Preserving useful evidence
Preserve the original file where possible, the complete web address, the date observed and sufficient surrounding material to show how a reasonable reader would understand the claim. Do not alter metadata, crop away qualifications or obtain information through unlawful access.
Where content may change, a dated screenshot or archived copy can assist verification. Do not submit unnecessary learner records, identity documents, passwords, private account credentials or sensitive personal information.
How ICEQC reviews a report
ICEQC confirms the subject and jurisdiction of the report, compares the representation with the Public Certificate Register and applicable controlled records, evaluates authenticity and context, and may request clarification from the reporter or the person responsible for the claim.
Where necessary, ICEQC may preserve evidence, restrict mark permissions, require correction or removal, require public clarification, undertake special verification, review certificate status or refer the matter to another competent function. The action selected depends on established facts, seriousness, reach, recurrence, cooperation, effect on public reliance and the authority available under the certification rules.
Fairness, confidentiality and outcome
A person affected by an allegation is given an appropriate opportunity to respond, subject to immediate protection and evidence-preservation needs. ICEQC distinguishes allegation, established fact, supported inference and unresolved doubt.
Information is disclosed only to the extent authorized, lawful and necessary for review, fairness, certification integrity or public protection. ICEQC does not promise anonymity where disclosure is required to answer an allegation, protect a person or comply with law.
The reporter may receive confirmation that the matter was reviewed, but confidential certification, legal, personal or security information may limit the detail that can be provided. A report does not give the reporter control of the certification decision or enforcement outcome.
Correction and public clarification
A misleading claim may require correction proportionate to the prominence, channel, duration, audience and language of the original representation. A correction should identify the inaccurate claim, state the accurate status or scope, provide a route to the Public Certificate Register and remain available long enough to reach the affected audience.
ICEQC may publish its own clarification where a responsible person does not act promptly or immediate clarification is necessary. Public correction discloses no more confidential or personal information than is necessary for accurate public understanding.
Other accountability routes
Use Complaints and Concerns for a concern about ICEQC service, conduct, delay, communication, confidentiality, conflict of interest or operation of a public record. Use Appeals only for an eligible certification decision and by a person entitled to appeal under the applicable procedure. Use the security address for suspected compromise of an ICEQC account, system, domain or data.