ICEQC-ORG-2000 — Education Organization Quality Certification Scheme

11.1 ICEQC may conduct a non-decisional readiness enquiry before accepting an application. 11.2 The enquiry may identify the proposed certification object, intended scope, legal entity, principal educational activities, learner groups, sites, delivery modes, external dependencies, available operating history and material risks. 11.3 A readiness enquiry shall not constitute an assessment conclusion, consulting service, assurance of certification or authorization to make a certification claim.

12.1 An application shall be authorized by a person able to bind the applicant and accept responsibility for the certification object. 12.2 The authorized person shall attest that submitted information is complete and accurate to the best of that person's knowledge and that material changes will be notified. 12.3 Where a representative submits the application, the applicant's authority and continuing control of the application shall be established.

13.1 The application shall contain at least: (a) legal and trading names; (b) entity identifier and principal address; (c) countries and jurisdictions of operation within the proposed scope; (d) responsible officers and certification contacts; (e) organizational structure and control relationships; (f) educational purpose and principal activities; (g) learner groups, age ranges and participation volumes; (h) delivery modes, sites and virtual environments; (i) programmes and services proposed for inclusion; (j) material external providers and partners; (k) legally required permissions relevant to the proposed scope; (l) material incidents, proceedings or operating restrictions; (m) requested exclusions and proposed NA determinations; and (n) the authorized declaration required by clause 12. 13.2 ICEQC may require clarification or further information where the application does not permit a reliable eligibility or scope determination.

14.1 The applicant shall establish its identity, legal existence, principal operating location and authority to accept certification obligations. 14.2 Where an activity within the proposed scope legally depends on a permission, registration or competent person, the applicant shall identify the dependency and provide current evidence appropriate to that matter. 14.3 ICEQC review of the evidence in clause 14.2 establishes only whether the applicant has provided suitable evidence for the certification matter. It does not replace the determination of the issuing authority.

15.1 The applicant shall submit a proposed scope using the data in Schedule 1. 15.2 The proposed scope shall be specific enough for a reasonable person to distinguish included and excluded organizations, activities, learner groups, sites, delivery modes and public claims. 15.3 Promotional descriptions, unbounded group names and expressions such as all services or global operations shall not be accepted unless every included element is identified and assessable.

16.1 The application shall identify each physical site and virtual environment that performs or controls an activity material to the proposed scope. 16.2 For each site or environment, the applicant shall identify: (a) its function; (b) the activities and learner groups served; (c) the responsible entity; (d) whether it is proposed for inclusion; (e) shared and locally controlled processes; and (f) material limitations on remote access or evidence.

17.1 The applicant shall identify every external provider, affiliate, franchisee, partner or other entity that performs a material part of the proposed certification object. 17.2 The application shall state the contractual, operational and evidence-access controls by which the applicant remains accountable for the relevant requirement. 17.3 An activity shall not be excluded from applicability solely because another entity performs it.

18.1 ICEQC shall record an application acceptance decision before assessment begins. 18.2 Acceptance shall confirm: (a) applicant identity and authority; (b) eligible certification object; (c) assessable proposed scope; (d) applicable documents and modules; (e) preliminary organization risk class; (f) proposed remote evidence mode; (g) required competence and specialist resources; (h) absence of an unmanaged impartiality conflict; and (i) sufficient time and resources for the assessment. 18.3 Acceptance does not establish conformity and does not guarantee a positive certification decision.

19.1 ICEQC and the applicant shall establish a controlled confirmed scope statement before detailed assessment. 19.2 The confirmed scope shall use factual and non-promotional language and shall identify every material boundary required by Schedule 1. 19.3 The confirmed scope shall remain subject to correction where assessment establishes that a stated boundary is inaccurate, incomplete or not under effective control.

20.1 The scope shall include the governance, personnel, resources, external arrangements, information systems, learner-protection controls, monitoring and improvement processes that materially control the included educational provision. 20.2 A central or supporting function located outside an included delivery site shall remain within the assessment boundary where it controls an applicable requirement. 20.3 The scope shall identify any shared service or group function on which continuing conformity depends.

21.1 An exclusion may describe an activity, entity, site, programme, delivery mode or learner group that is outside the certification object. 21.2 An exclusion shall not: (a) remove an applicable requirement from an included activity; (b) conceal a material dependency; (c) create a misleading impression concerning the organization as a whole; (d) separate a failure from the process or control that caused it; or (e) permit an uncertified element to use or imply certification.

22.1 Each assessment unit in clauses 9 to 75 of ICEQC-QF-1000 shall be assigned one of the following application states for the confirmed scope: (a) mandatory; (b) conditional and applicable because the stated condition exists; (c) conditional and submitted for confirmed NA because the stated condition does not exist; or (d) mandatory under an incorporated module. 22.2 The assigned state shall be recorded before the conformity conclusion and may be revised when evidence establishes a different operating condition.

23.1 NA may be confirmed only where the complete assessment unit is objectively unrelated to the certification object and confirmed scope. 23.2 The applicant shall provide a specific rationale addressing the actual operation, scope and condition that makes the complete unit unrelated. 23.3 The following do not establish NA: (a) absence of a documented procedure; (b) limited organizational size; (c) performance by an external provider; (d) low frequency of the activity; (e) lack of evidence; (f) intention to introduce the control later; or (g) preference to exclude a difficult requirement. 23.4 ICEQC shall confirm, reject or return each proposed NA determination during assessment and independent review.

24.1 A conditional requirement becomes applicable when any part of the stated condition exists within the certification scope. 24.2 Where the condition exists at only one site, for one learner group, through one delivery mode or within one programme, the unit applies to that affected part and every system control capable of affecting it. 24.3 An activity that is not in operation may remain outside the certified scope until ICEQC has assessed and approved its inclusion.

25.1 ICEQC shall maintain one controlled requirement application profile for each assessment unit in clauses 9 to 75 of ICEQC-QF-1000. 25.2 Each profile shall identify: (a) default application state; (b) condition of application; (c) permissible NA rationale; (d) minimum evidence categories; (e) accepted evidence forms; (f) required verification methods; (g) minimum sampling basis; (h) risk significance; (i) specialist-evidence trigger; (j) surveillance treatment; (k) decision-critical status; and (l) the objective conformity test. 25.3 A profile describes evidence and method expectations. It does not add an undisclosed substantive requirement to ICEQC-QF-1000.

26.1 A sector, jurisdiction, technology or risk module applies only where it is identified in the confirmed application or becomes necessary because of a material fact established during assessment. 26.2 An incorporated module shall identify the affected assessment units and any additional evidence or verification control. 26.3 A module shall not create a certification grade, premium level or alternative conformity threshold.

27.1 ICEQC shall establish a controlled scope-and-applicability baseline before final assessment conclusions are completed. 27.2 A material change after the baseline shall be evaluated for its effect on evidence, sampling, competence, assessment time and earlier conclusions. 27.3 A positive decision shall not be made on a scope materially different from the scope assessed.

28.1 ICEQC shall assign the organization one of the internal assessment-planning classes in Schedule 3. 28.2 The class determines assessment depth, sampling and surveillance attention. It shall not appear on a certificate, mark, public register or promotional statement. 28.3 The class shall be based on evidence and may be revised at any stage of the certification cycle.

29.1 Risk classification shall consider, as applicable: (a) learner age, capability and dependency; (b) scale and geographic distribution; (c) residential, physical, hazardous or high-consequence activities; (d) regulated dependencies; (e) assessment and credential consequences; (f) data sensitivity and digital dependency; (g) automated educational functions; (h) external-provider and partnership reliance; (i) operating history and rate of material change; (j) complaints, incidents and integrity concerns; (k) evidence accessibility and authenticity risk; and (l) complexity of the proposed certification scope.

30.1 ICEQC shall select R-A, R-B or R-C under Schedule 4 for the application and may assign a stronger method to a particular requirement or scope element. 30.2 Selection shall be based on the verification need and not on the applicant's preferred certification appearance, fee level or desired result. 30.3 Every mode remains a remote ICEQC assessment. ICEQC does not conduct an ICEQC on-site assessment under this Scheme.

31.1 R-A may be used where controlled documents, system records, data, traceable samples and remote interviews can establish conformity without material unresolved limitation. 31.2 R-A may include live retrieval, screen sharing, video interview, system demonstration and applicant-independent confirmation. 31.3 R-A shall not be used where a material physical, safeguarding, identity, competence or performance condition cannot be verified by those methods.

32.1 R-B shall supplement the controls available under R-A with one or more of: (a) expanded samples; (b) additional role or learner interviews; (c) assessor-directed live demonstration; (d) remote visual review; (e) direct confirmation from a record owner or affected party; (f) repeated verification at different times; or (g) specialist review of technical evidence. 32.2 R-B is the ordinary initial mode for a general education organization unless the recorded risk and evidence conditions support another mode.

33.1 R-C applies where certification depends on a material matter that ICEQC cannot itself verify adequately through documentary, interview, data or remote visual methods. 33.2 ICEQC shall identify the exact matter requiring recognized external evidence and shall evaluate the evidence under Schedule 6. 33.3 R-C does not transfer the certification decision to the external provider and does not make the provider's work an ICEQC certification.

34.1 ICEQC shall approve a controlled assessment plan before assessment activity begins. 34.2 The plan shall identify: (a) confirmed scope and applicability baseline; (b) assessment objectives and criteria; (c) organization risk class and evidence mode; (d) assessment team and assignments; (e) competence and conflict declarations; (f) evidence sources and access arrangements; (g) samples and selection methods; (h) interviews, demonstrations and remote views; (i) specialist evidence requirements; (j) security, confidentiality and safeguarding controls; (k) timetable and communication arrangements; and (l) contingencies for failed access or insufficient evidence.

35.1 The applicant shall maintain a controlled evidence index connecting every submitted or accessed item to the relevant assessment unit, scope element, date, version, source and confidentiality condition. 35.2 One evidence item may support more than one assessment unit where relevance is identified. 35.3 ICEQC shall not require duplicate records solely because multiple requirements rely on the same effective control.

36.1 The assessment team may revise the plan where evidence, risk, scope or access conditions differ materially from the confirmed assumptions. 36.2 A revision shall state the reason, affected requirement or scope, additional burden and approval. 36.3 A revision shall not be used to introduce an undisclosed conformity threshold or to provide the applicant with a method for avoiding a likely finding.

37.1 Evidence shall be sufficient to establish the actual and continuing operation of the control required by the assessment unit within the relevant scope and period. 37.2 A policy, template, statement of intention or isolated record does not alone establish consistent implementation where continuing control is required. 37.3 The volume, design or presentation quality of a submission shall not substitute for relevance, authenticity, representativeness or traceability.

38.1 The applicant may use existing business, educational or system records and is not required to create an ICEQC-specific format where the existing record establishes the required fact. 38.2 A small organization may combine responsibilities and records where accountability, implementation and review remain clear. 38.3 Proportionate application shall not reduce learner protection, claim accuracy, educational integrity, data protection, complaint handling or corrective-action outcomes.

39.1 ICEQC shall verify evidence origin and integrity to a degree proportionate to the ease of alteration and consequence of error. 39.2 Verification may include source-system access, metadata, audit history, independent confirmation, digital signature, controlled issue record, live retrieval or reconciliation across records. 39.3 A screenshot, scan, export, recording, translation or copied record shall be evaluated according to its verifiable source and continuity, not its appearance alone.

40.1 Evidence shall relate to the current certification object and a period sufficient to demonstrate effective implementation. 40.2 The ordinary evidence period for an initial application is the preceding six months, or the complete operating period where the included provision has operated for less than six months. 40.3 ICEQC may require a longer period where recurrence, seasonality, learner progression, assessment cycles, complaints or outcome claims cannot otherwise be evaluated reliably. 40.4 An organization with less than three months of relevant operation shall not receive initial certification unless sufficient completed operating evidence exists for every applicable assessment unit.

41.1 ICEQC shall select samples independently under Schedule 5. 41.2 Samples shall represent material variation in sites, programmes, learner groups, delivery modes, personnel, time periods, outcomes, complaints, incidents and external providers. 41.3 Applicant-selected examples may be considered but shall not constitute the complete sample where selection bias could affect the conclusion.

42.1 The assessment team shall expand or redirect a sample where an exception, inconsistency, evidence gap or risk indicator suggests that the initial sample may not represent the relevant population. 42.2 Expansion shall be sufficient to determine whether the condition is isolated, repeated or systemic. 42.3 Where the population or records cannot be established, ICEQC shall record the limitation and shall not infer conformity.

43.1 Interviews may verify responsibility, knowledge, implementation, learner experience, consistency and awareness. 43.2 ICEQC shall select interview roles and may select individual participants from a relevant population. 43.3 A demonstration shall use assessor-selected actions, records, cases or system paths where this is necessary to test actual operation. 43.4 Coaching, filtering, substituted participants or undisclosed assistance shall be treated as an integrity concern.

44.1 Remote visual review may be used to examine an activity, environment, item or arrangement where the method can establish the relevant education quality fact. 44.2 ICEQC may direct the route, view, sequence, time marker and item selection and may request a competent local facilitator. 44.3 Remote visual review shall not be represented as specialist testing or statutory inspection. 44.4 A material blind spot, selective access, interruption or inability to verify the location shall be recorded and resolved before reliance.

45.1 Recognized external evidence may be used only for the exact matter and scope for which its provider, method, date and result are suitable. 45.2 ICEQC shall establish the provider's identity, competence, authority, independence, method, scope, currency and report integrity. 45.3 The existence of external evidence does not establish conformity with an ICEQC requirement unless the evidence is relevant to the complete ICEQC conformity test. 45.4 Missing specialist evidence required by Schedule 6 prevents a positive decision for the affected scope.

46.1 The assessment team shall confirm the scope, criteria, plan, communication route, confidentiality controls and participant safeguards at the opening of assessment activity. 46.2 The team shall identify any material difference between the confirmed application and actual operation. 46.3 A difference affecting scope, applicability, risk, competence or evidence sufficiency shall be resolved or formally controlled before conclusions are completed.

47.1 Each assessment unit shall be evaluated against its complete applicable text and controlled requirement application profile. 47.2 The assessment record shall identify: (a) application state; (b) scope elements examined; (c) evidence considered; (d) samples and verification methods; (e) verified facts; (f) material limitations; and (g) C, NC or proposed NA conclusion.

48.1 C may be concluded only where sufficient verified evidence establishes fulfilment of every applicable part of the assessment unit throughout the affected scope. 48.2 A limited exception shall not be disregarded because the wider system generally performs well. 48.3 Where an exception meets the narrowly controlled correction-at-assessment conditions in ICEQC-CER-003, the treatment and authorization shall be recorded.

49.1 NC shall be concluded where verified evidence establishes failure to fulfil an applicable requirement. 49.2 NC includes failure to maintain a record, control, process or evidence item that the applicable requirement expressly requires to exist. 49.3 A finding shall identify the exact requirement, verified condition, affected scope and objective evidence without prescribing the applicant's solution.

50.1 The assessment team may propose NA only where the conditions in clause 23 are fulfilled. 50.2 The proposal shall state the complete factual rationale and scope boundary. 50.3 NA becomes effective only after confirmation through independent technical review or certification decision review. 50.4 A partly applicable assessment unit shall not be recorded NA.

51.1 Insufficient assessment evidence alone is an unresolved limitation and is not proof of NC. 51.2 Where a limitation remains, the assessment team shall: (a) seek additional evidence or another verification method; (b) expand the sample; (c) use recognized external evidence where appropriate; (d) restrict or correct the proposed scope; (e) defer the affected conclusion; or (f) report that a positive decision cannot be supported. 51.3 C or NA shall not be concluded while the limitation prevents determination of the applicable requirement.

52.1 A material inconsistency, anomaly or suspected misrepresentation shall be challenged and traced to its source. 52.2 The applicant shall receive a reasonable opportunity to explain unless immediate disclosure would materially prejudice a necessary integrity investigation. 52.3 Fabrication, alteration, substitution, concealment, impersonation or interference shall be controlled under ICEQC-CER-001 and ICEQC-CER-003.

53.1 The assessment report shall provide a clear and traceable account of: (a) the applicant and confirmed scope; (b) applicable documents and modules; (c) risk class and evidence mode; (d) team, competence and independence; (e) activities and samples completed; (f) every unit conclusion; (g) proposed NA determinations; (h) evidence limitations; (i) nonconformities and their classifications; (j) matters requiring decision attention; and (k) any difference between the assessed and proposed certificate scope.

54.1 ICEQC shall communicate the assessment conclusions, nonconformities, unresolved matters, correction process and next procedural stage to the applicant. 54.2 Closing communication shall not constitute the certification decision and shall not authorize a certification claim. 54.3 The applicant may identify a factual error without being required to accept the conclusion as a condition of receiving the report.

55.1 ICEQC may explain a requirement, finding, evidence limitation and procedural option. 55.2 ICEQC shall not design, select, implement or operate the applicant's education quality control or corrective action. 55.3 Assessment personnel shall not imply that a particular purchased service, template or adviser is necessary to obtain certification.

56.1 Each NC shall be classified only as major or general under ICEQC-CER-003. 56.2 Classification shall consider consequence, extent, recurrence, control effectiveness, integrity and confidence in continuing conformity. 56.3 Classification is not a score or quality grade.

57.1 A nonconformity record shall identify: (a) unique finding identifier; (b) applicable assessment unit; (c) failed requirement; (d) verified condition and objective evidence; (e) affected scope; (f) classification and rationale; (g) response and closure dates; and (h) immediate containment required for a material learner or integrity risk.

58.1 The applicant shall respond within the applicable time control and shall provide: (a) correction of the detected condition; (b) containment where consequence may continue; (c) cause analysis proportionate to recurrence risk; (d) extent analysis across relevant populations and scope; (e) corrective action addressing recurrence; and (f) evidence of completed implementation. 58.2 A promise, plan or target date does not establish completed correction.

59.1 Correction shall eliminate the detected nonconformity or remedy its direct effect. 59.2 Corrective action shall eliminate or control the cause and prevent recurrence where recurrence is possible. 59.3 The applicant remains responsible for selecting and operating its action. 59.4 Action shall be proportionate and may be concise where the condition is genuinely isolated and its cause and extent are established.

60.1 ICEQC shall verify correction, cause, extent and corrective action using evidence appropriate to the finding. 60.2 Verification may include additional records, live demonstration, expanded sampling, interviews, data review, recognized external evidence or a later effectiveness check where expressly permitted. 60.3 The person verifying closure shall have the competence and independence required by ICEQC-CER-003.

61.1 A nonconformity may be closed only when required correction and corrective action are complete and verified. 61.2 Administrative acceptance of a response does not constitute closure. 61.3 A closed finding remains part of the certification record and may inform surveillance and recurrence evaluation.

62.1 Major and general nonconformities shall be controlled within the response, ordinary closure and maximum extension periods established in Schedule 10 and ICEQC-CER-003. 62.2 An extension requires recorded justification, revised actions and protection of certification integrity. 62.3 An extension shall not authorize a positive initial, renewal, extension or restoration decision while the nonconformity remains open.

63.1 Failure to close an initial application nonconformity within the authorized period shall result in refusal, application closure or another adverse decision appropriate to the facts. 63.2 Failure to close a surveillance nonconformity shall result in status review and may result in suspension, scope reduction or withdrawal. 63.3 Repeated failure shall be evaluated for systemic cause and possible reclassification.

64.1 ICEQC shall assemble a controlled decision package containing all information necessary for an independent decision. 64.2 The package shall include the confirmed scope, applicability record, assessment report, unit conclusions, NA rationales, nonconformity records, verified closures, unresolved limitations, technical review and proposed certificate data.

65.1 The decision package shall not proceed to a positive decision unless: (a) the assessment is complete; (b) every assessment unit has a valid C, NC or proposed NA conclusion; (c) every proposed NA has a complete rationale; (d) all nonconformities are closed; (e) every material evidence concern is resolved; (f) the assessed scope is coherent and accurate; and (g) required technical and specialist reviews are complete.

66.1 Technical review shall evaluate the sufficiency, consistency and traceability of the assessment without repeating the assessment unnecessarily. 66.2 Technical review shall confirm: (a) correct application of this Scheme; (b) assessor competence and independence; (c) appropriate risk class and evidence mode; (d) complete applicability and NA control; (e) representative sampling; (f) supported C and NC conclusions; (g) verified closure of nonconformities; (h) resolution of evidence limitations; and (i) accurate certificate and register scope. 66.3 A deficient package shall be returned for specified further work.

67.1 The certification decision shall be made by an authorized person who did not conduct the assessment and is free from an unmanaged conflict. 67.2 Commercial targets, fees, applicant size, reputation, referral source or expected pass rate shall not influence the decision. 67.3 Automated analysis may assist completeness and consistency checks but shall not make the certification decision.

68.1 The available actions are grant, refuse, maintain, renew, extend scope, reduce scope, suspend, restore, withdraw, terminate and close application. 68.2 The action shall correspond to the current application or certification state and the verified facts. 68.3 A decision shall state the scope, rationale, effective date, status and any required follow-up.

69.1 A grant, maintain, renew, extend-scope or restore decision may be made only where every requirement applicable to the resulting scope conforms and every nonconformity is closed. 69.2 Conditional certification, certification subject to later closure, partial scoring compensation and provisional quality grades are prohibited.

70.1 Certification shall be refused where the positive decision gate is not met and the matter cannot be resolved within the authorized application process. 70.2 A decision may be deferred only where specified further evidence or work remains reasonably obtainable and the deferral does not imply certification. 70.3 An application may be closed following authorized withdrawal, non-response, loss of eligibility, integrity failure or inability to complete a reliable assessment.

71.1 Scope may be reduced only where the remaining scope is coherent, accurately described, independently assessable and fully conforming. 71.2 Scope shall not be reduced solely to remove a sampled failure where the cause or affected extent may remain within the retained scope. 71.3 Certificate, register and public claims shall be corrected without delay after reduction.

72.1 ICEQC shall notify the applicant of the decision, rationale, confirmed scope, status, effective date and applicable appeal route. 72.2 A positive notification shall not authorize public use before the certificate and public register record are active and consistent. 72.3 An adverse notification shall identify the affected decision without disclosing confidential information beyond the authorized recipient.

73.1 ICEQC shall issue a certificate only after a positive decision has been implemented. 73.2 The certificate shall contain the controlled fields in Schedule 8 and shall be linked to the authoritative public register record. 73.3 The certificate shall not display an organization risk class, evidence mode as a quality level, score, rank, grade, star, award or comparative statement.

74.1 The ICEQC public register is the authoritative source of current certification status and scope. 74.2 The register shall state at least the certified client, certificate number, certified scope, applicable ICEQC documents, issue and expiry dates, current status and verification identifier. 74.3 Where the certificate and register differ, ICEQC shall investigate and correct the controlled records before confirming current scope or status.

75.1 Public status shall be recorded only as active, suspended, scope reduced, withdrawn, expired, terminated or superseded, as applicable. 75.2 An internal workflow, finding, risk class or assessment stage shall not be represented as a public certification status. 75.3 A suspended, withdrawn, expired or terminated certification shall not be represented as active.

76.1 A certified client may state that it is certified by ICEQC under ICEQC-ORG-2000 only when the statement: (a) identifies the certified organization accurately; (b) does not extend beyond the registered scope; (c) does not imply legal or governmental approval; (d) does not imply certification of every programme, site, person, outcome or product unless included; (e) uses the current status and validity period; and (f) permits verification through the public register.

77.1 A certified client shall not claim or imply: (a) a score, ranking, grade, star, tier, award or superiority over another organization; (b) approval of an education licence, degree, qualification or regulated activity; (c) guaranteed learner achievement or employment outcome; (d) certification of an excluded site, programme, platform or partner; (e) endorsement of educational content, ideology or commercial claims beyond the certified requirements; or (f) continuing active status after suspension, withdrawal, expiry or termination.

78.1 Use of an ICEQC certification mark requires an active authorization linked to the certificate. 78.2 The mark shall be accompanied by wording or a verification route that permits the certified scope to be understood. 78.3 The mark shall not be altered, combined with a rating symbol or placed in a manner that implies certification of an uncertified object.

79.1 The certified client shall correct an inaccurate, outdated or misleading certification claim without delay. 79.2 ICEQC may require removal, correction, public clarification or other proportionate action. 79.3 Failure to correct a material claim may result in nonconformity and certification-status action.

80.1 Public information concerning certification shall make clear that certification is limited to the stated ICEQC education quality scope. 80.2 Confidential evidence, internal risk classification, assessment notes and personal information shall not be disclosed through the public register unless disclosure is authorized and necessary.

81.1 The ordinary certification cycle is 36 months beginning on the effective date of the grant or renewal decision. 81.2 Certification ends earlier where it is withdrawn, terminated or superseded, or where another effective decision changes the status. 81.3 Expiry occurs automatically when the stated period ends without an effective renewal decision.

82.1 ICEQC shall establish a surveillance programme for the complete certification cycle. 82.2 The programme shall address the requirement-profile surveillance designations, significant risks, earlier findings, major changes, complaints, incidents, public claims and representative scope coverage. 82.3 Surveillance is not a scored re-evaluation and shall not be used to create comparative status.

83.1 Routine surveillance is ordinarily due at approximately 12 and 24 months after the grant or renewal decision. 83.2 The interval between relevant surveillance activities shall not ordinarily exceed 15 months. 83.3 ICEQC may adjust the timing within the cycle to address operating seasons, programme cycles, change or risk, provided that continuing confidence is maintained.

84.1 ICEQC may conduct special surveillance where a complaint, incident, major change, public claim, data concern, ownership change, evidence integrity issue or other information may affect continuing conformity. 84.2 Special surveillance shall be limited to the triggering matter and consequential requirements that become material. 84.3 The certified client shall provide relevant evidence and access within the reasonable period specified by ICEQC.

85.1 The certified client shall notify ICEQC before a planned major change where reasonably practicable. 85.2 An unplanned major change shall be notified without unreasonable delay and not later than 10 business days after the client becomes aware of it. 85.3 A matter involving immediate learner risk, serious integrity concern, loss of necessary operating authority, material data compromise or public deception shall be notified immediately. 85.4 ICEQC shall determine whether the change requires record correction, evidence review, special surveillance, scope decision, suspension or full reassessment.

86.1 Renewal shall be completed before expiry and shall establish conformity for the proposed renewed scope and cycle. 86.2 Renewal planning shall consider the complete cycle record, surveillance results, changes, complaints, incidents, corrective action, performance monitoring and continuing evidence reliability. 86.3 Renewal is not automatic and shall satisfy the positive decision gate in clause 69.

87.1 Suspension, restoration, withdrawal, termination and expiry shall be controlled under ICEQC-CER-003. 87.2 During suspension the client shall cease representing certification as active and shall control affected public claims. 87.3 Restoration requires verified removal of the suspension cause, closure of every applicable nonconformity and confirmation that the restored scope conforms. 87.4 The ordinary maximum suspension period is 180 calendar days unless a shorter period is specified to protect certification integrity.

88.1 A multi-site scope may be accepted where: (a) one applicant accepts certification responsibility; (b) a defined central function controls the common education quality system; (c) every included site is subject to that system; (d) the applicant can require correction and corrective action at every site; (e) complete site and population information is available; and (f) certification claims can be controlled centrally and locally. 88.2 A collection of independent organizations without effective common control shall not be treated as one multi-site certification object.

89.1 ICEQC may sample sites only where sampling can produce a reliable conclusion for the common system and complete scope. 89.2 The sample shall include material variation and shall not be limited to applicant-selected or highest-performing sites. 89.3 The central function and every site with a unique or heightened risk shall be assessed as necessary. 89.4 A material exception shall trigger sample expansion and evaluation of systemic extent.

90.1 The applicant shall demonstrate central control of scope, requirements, personnel expectations, information, monitoring, complaints, incidents, corrective action and certification claims. 90.2 Local discretion may exist where responsibilities, limits and oversight are defined. 90.3 Failure of central control may affect the complete multi-site scope.

91.1 Where the scope includes a franchisee, partner, subsidiary, licensed operator or other distinct entity, the certification scope shall identify the entity and control relationship. 91.2 Contractual affiliation alone does not establish effective control. 91.3 Each entity using the certification claim shall be included in the assessed control system and identified in the certificate or public register as applicable.

92.1 A site or entity shall not be added to certified scope before the required assessment and positive scope decision. 92.2 Closure, sale, transfer or loss of control shall be notified and shall result in prompt correction of scope and claims. 92.3 A merger, acquisition or restructuring shall be evaluated as a major change and may require a new applicant, revised certification object or reassessment.

93.1 ICEQC shall monitor consistent application of this Scheme through file review, common-case exercises, decision review, appeal outcomes, surveillance results and applicant feedback. 93.2 Calibration shall address interpretation, applicability, evidence sufficiency, sampling, classification and decision consistency. 93.3 Calibration shall not establish expected pass rates, finding quotas, score distributions or commercial approval targets.

94.1 ICEQC shall maintain controlled records sufficient to reconstruct the application, assessment, corrective action, technical review, decision, certificate, surveillance and appeal history. 94.2 Evidence shall be accessed, retained, disclosed and disposed of according to its sensitivity, lawful restrictions and certification need. 94.3 Remote interviews and visual review involving minors or vulnerable persons shall use appropriate consent, safeguarding and privacy controls. 94.4 Public access shall be limited to authorized standards, scheme information, certification status and public register data.

95.1 A complaint concerning ICEQC certification activity shall be handled through the applicable ICEQC complaint procedure without affecting impartial treatment of the complainant or certified client. 95.2 An applicant or certified client may appeal an eligible certification decision under ICEQC-CER-003. 95.3 An appeal does not automatically stay the decision. 95.4 Complaint and appeal information shall be considered for scheme monitoring where it indicates ambiguity or inconsistent application.

96.1 A revision of this Scheme shall be controlled through the ICEQC document lifecycle and shall identify impact on applications, active certifications, forms, requirement profiles and backend contracts. 96.2 A published replacement shall state the transition period and the version applying to each application and certification cycle. 96.3 Development, draft, consultation and approved-but-unpublished versions shall not be used to make a certification decision or issue a certificate. 96.4 Formal use begins only after every required ICEQC approval and publication gate has been completed and the effective version is available through the controlled system.