Condition for Use of Mark

5. Procedure

5.1. Contractual Obligation:

Correct use of the certificate, certification mark or accreditation mark is a contractual obligation and will be monitored at surveillance and certificate renewal assessments. Any misuse of the certificate, certification mark or accreditation by the client may result in suspension or withdrawal of the certification by RC. RC’s considerations with respect to suspension or withdrawal will be as follows:

5.1.1. Inadvertent Misuse:

With this activity, the organization will be required to immediately withdraw the offending materials, or RC will suspend certification until the misuse is rectified. Repeated inadvertent misuse will not be tolerated by RC and therefore will be cause for withdrawal of certification.

5.1.2. Fraud:

With an activity considered premeditated on the part of the organization, RC will withdraw certification and publish notices to that effect in the directory of certified companies as per the procedure and situation.

5.2. Certification Conditions

5.2.1. Use of Certificate of Approval

• The certificate shall remain the property of the RC.
• Certificates are valid for three years from the date of the certificate issue, subject to satisfactory annual surveillance assessments.
• Certificates are not transferable.
• The certificate shall only be displayed at the location applicable to the certificated scope of supply.
• The certificate shall not be used to imply certification of any location other than that detailed on the certificate.
• The certificate shall not be used in any way to imply product approval.
• The certified client must advise the RC of any changes which may affect the scope of supply.
• The certified client shall inform the RC, without delay, of matters that may affect the capability of the management system to continue to fulfil the requirements of the standard used for certification. These include, for example, changes relating to:
  1. The legal, commercial, organizational status or ownership,
  2. Organization and management (e.g., key managerial, decision-making or technical staff),
  3. Contact address and sites,
  4. Scope of operations under the certified management system, and
  5. Major changes to the management system and processes.

• If the Client changes their operating site, then the RC shall conduct a surveillance visit to check the relevant Management System is operating to the requirements of relevant standard
• The marks shall always be used on certificates issued in conjunction with the Client's name and have the certificate number adjacent to it. Certified clients may use the certification marks in communication media such as the internet; brochures, letterhead, envelopes, business cards and certain packaging materials.
• The mark shall not be used on flags, buildings, vehicles, packaging, directly on products, nor on promotional products such as calendars, diaries, coasters, etc.
• The mark shall not be used in any way to imply product approval, nor on documentation such as test certificates and certificates of conformity.
• The certification mark(s) cannot be altered or modified in any way. However, it is acceptable to resize the mark as long as the proportions of the entire mark are preserved, and all features of the mark remain easily recognizable. If the mark includes an accreditation number, the number is considered an integral part of the mark and must not be removed.
• The client must not use the certificate and/or the certification mark(s) provided by RC in any manner that could harm RC, the Accreditation Body, or the certification system's reputation or erode public trust. Any misuse of the certification mark(s) could result in the revocation of the certificate and legal action being taken against the client.
• The Certificated Client shall, upon reasonable notice, discontinue any use of the mark which is considered to be unacceptable to the RC.
• The mark may be reproduced in any size provided the configuration is strictly adhered to, including the surrounding frame.
• The right to use the certification mark by the organization cannot be assigned to or acquired by any other person, entity, or corporation (including through a change of ownership of the organization) without RC’s prior written consent.

5.2.2.   Use of the RC Unaccredited Logo

Note: The above logo shall be used if the client is certified to unaccredited ISO 9001 :2015 ,14001:2015, & 45001:2018.

5.2.3.   Accredited Certification Mark

Note: The above logo shall be used if the client is certified to accredited ISO 9001:2015, 14001:2015, & 45001:2018.

• Upon suspension of the accreditation, the certified body (The client) shall immediately cease to use its stationery and other publicity material that has the accreditation logo on it. The use can be restarted only after the suspension is revoked by the RC.
• Upon termination of the certification the certified body (The client) shall immediately cease to use its stationery and other publicity material that has the certification logo on them.

Example:

• The symbol shall never be used in conjunction with the accreditation body logo
• The symbol shall always be used in conjunction with the Client's name.
• The symbol may be used on stationery, such as headed letter paper, advertising brochures, test certificates and certificates of conformity and only in connection with the International Quality System Standard and scope of supply listed on the Certificate.
• The symbol may be used on vehicles, buildings or flags which bear the name or emblem of the Client.
• The symbol shall not be used in any way to imply product approval.
• The certified Client shall, upon reasonable notice, discontinue any use of the symbol which is considered to be unacceptable to the RC.
• Upon termination of the certification, for whatever reason, the Client shall discontinue all use of the symbol immediately.

The same conditions of logo usage shall apply in case of non-accredited certificates also.

5.2.4. Failure to Comply with the Certification Conditions, Suspension and Withdrawal of   Certificate Approval

If the Client/certificate holder fails to maintain compliance with the requirements of certified standard such as ISO 9001, 14001, & 45001 those requirements detailed in Certification Conditions Document and those commercial and operating requirements of the RC then;

• The client/certificate holder is formally informed in writing/fax/phone/email about the failure of compliance to the above conditions and asked to detail corrective action.
• If the client refuses to respond to correct the non-compliance to the above conditions, then the RC scheme manager shall contact the client and inform the client that the certificate may be suspended initially for 6 months and after 6 months if the situation is unchanged the certificate is cancelled and the client is required to return the certificate and cease to use and distribute any literature, stationery, etc., referencing the certificate of RC mark/symbol.
• If the period of surveillance exceeds the contracted period from completion of the stage 2 audit (6m, 9m, 12m.) or the recertification period exceeded the three-year period the rules of suspension also apply.

5.3. Special Audits

5.3.1. Extension to Scope

RC shall review the application for extension to the scope of certification and shall determine the need of any audit activities. Depending on the complexity of their change this may require a special visit or may be conducted in conjunction with a surveillance audit.

5.3.2. Reduction of Scope of Certification

RC shall review the extent of reduction of scope of certification and the Scheme Manager will determine the need of any audit activities. RC shall contact the client and ask him to return the certificate and then re-issue a certificate with the reduced scope.

5.3.3.  Short-Notice Audits

RC reserve the right to conduct short notice audits on certified clients to investigate complaints, in response to changes or as follow up on suspended clients.