# ICEQC-CER-001:2026 — General Rules for ICEQC Education Quality Certification Schemes

Status: Development

Version: Development Edition 0.1

Defines voluntary third-party certification, impartial decisions, binary conformity and the public meaning of ICEQC certification.

## 1 Voluntary third-party status **[REQUIREMENT]**

ICEQC certification shall be represented as a voluntary third-party determination against identified ICEQC requirements. It shall not be represented as governmental approval, authority to operate, institutional licensing, programme accreditation, degree recognition or academic equivalency.

Evidence expectation: Scheme wording, contract, certificate, mark rules and public disclaimer.

## 2 Binary conformity only **[REQUIREMENT]**

ICEQC shall make only a binary conformity determination. It shall not rank, score, grade, award stars, create medal levels, publish comparative positions or issue tiered certification levels.

Evidence expectation: System field review, checklist, decision record, certificate and public register.

## 3 No compensating nonconformity **[REQUIREMENT]**

Superior performance against one requirement shall not compensate for nonconformity against another applicable requirement.

Evidence expectation: Clause-level findings and independent decision record.

## 4 Independent decision **[REQUIREMENT]**

The person or committee making the certification decision shall not have conducted the assessment and shall confirm competence, impartiality and freedom from unmanaged conflicts.

Evidence expectation: Assignment records, declarations and decision approval.

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ICEQC certification is voluntary and does not constitute governmental authorization, institutional licensing, programme accreditation, degree recognition or academic equivalency.