Use of Logo's
4.1 Responsibility
The Quality Manager is responsible for ensuring that certified organizations receive the appropriate materials regarding publicizing their certification and use of the IQSR logo, standard licensing body logos and symbols of its accreditation bodies. The Programs and Accreditations Manager is responsible for enforcing the appropriate contractual restrictions governing their use and publicizing of the organization’s certification.
Any use of IQSR’s accreditation body symbols for IQSR publicity must be approved by the Quality Manager, President or appropriate designee to ensure proper usage.
4.2 References
- SO/IEC 17021 Latest Revision
- IQSR- Quality Manual
- IQSR-A106 Use of Logo’s
- Accreditation/Oversight Body-specific regulations for use of accreditation marks (AAA)
4.3 General
In accordance with the requirements of ISO/IEC 17021, IQSR possesses a logo by which
IQSR’s certified organizations may make others aware of their certification by means of various
forms of publicity.
IQSR’s certified organizations are made aware of certain regulations governing appropriate
publicizing of its certification and the proper use of the IQSR logo, standard licensing body
logos, and accreditation body symbols it has been awarded via this document.
It is vital that IQSR requests corrective action when the publication of certification and/or the usage of its logo, standard licensing body logos or accreditation body symbols are in the wrong manner in any way, in order to maintain the marketplace's high level of confidence in the validity of the certification and, by extension, the reputations of IQSR, its accreditation bodies and IQSR’s certified organizations.
IQSR’s certified organizations are not to use its certificate or certification in such a manner as to bring the IQSR into disrepute and does not make any statement regarding its certification which may be considered misleading.
4.4 Handling of the Registration Certificate
IQSR is the sole authority by which IQSR Registration Certificates are granted. All certificates remain the property of IQSR.
Registration Certificates must be surrendered or destroyed upon re-issue of replacement certificates or withdrawal / cancellation of certification. When appendixes are attached to the Registration Certificates, they must be used in conjunction with the Registration Certificates. When the customer request a copy of the Registration Certificate, it must easily be identified as a reproduction. (Example: a black-and-white reproduction stamped “COPY”). The certificate issued shall bear the IQSR logo and the accreditation body symbol.
4.5 Publicizing of Certification Procedures
Certified organizations are allowed to publicize the certification only after IQSR grants
certification. The Programs and Accreditations department responds to inquiries regarding
publication of certification. IQSR furnishes certified organizations with camera-ready artwork of
the IQSR Logo, standard licensing body logos, if applicable, and accreditation body symbols.
Certified organizations are allowed to use logos and accreditation body symbols only after
IQSR’s permission to use them. In principle, IQSR considers furnishing the IQSR logo, standard
licensing body logos, if applicable, and accreditation body symbols to certified organizations as
granting permission for proper use.
IQSR auditors examine the control of Registration Certificate, certified organizations’ use of logos and accreditation body symbols as well as the publicizing of certification at every audit.
Improper publicizing of certification, improper use of the IQSR logo, standard licensing body
logos, and accreditation body symbols include, but is not limited to:
- placing the IQSR logo, standard licensing body logos and accreditation body symbols on certified organizations’ products or product packaging
- using them in any other manner that implies that products are certified by IQSR and its accreditation bodies
- forging an original copy of Registration Certificate
- making color copies of the certificates, including scanning color copies of the certificates. EXCEPTION: It is permissible for certified organizations which hold valid certificates to display color reproductions of their certificate on their website. In this case, the reproductions must be prevented from forgery. (Example: set to invalid download / print)
- publicizing certification or using logos and/or symbols on business cards, signboards, on websites with different addresses other than the address certified (difference must be communicated on cards, signboards, or websites)
- publicizing certification or using logos and/or symbols on business cards, signboards, on websites with products or services other than the certified ones (differences of such products and services must be communicated on cards, signboards, or websites.)
Use on stationery when the IQSR logo is not displayed and the standard licensing body logos and accreditation body symbols are;
- prominence is shown with the logo of one body over another
- accreditation body symbol used more than once for each accreditation
- publicizing the scope of activities of the certified organization that misleads the public
- advertising certification in any way that might mislead the reader about the status of a certified organization.
- Using out-dated/obsolete versions of the logos and/or symbols
Should IQSR find, by means of audits, field report, or other means, that:
- A non-certified organization has used IQSR's logo or the accreditation body symbols in any way, or
- A certified organization has possibly violated IQSR regulations regarding use of certification with respect to use,
- A certified organization publicizes its sites, products and services in such a way as to suggest that they are certified.
- The Programs and Accreditations Manager requests corrective actions in accordance with this procedure.
If any client wishes to use International Quality System Registrars name in any publications such as newspaper articles, magazine articles, electronic media or similar publications, you must acquire prior approval from HQ. In the U.S., please send your proposals to HQ via e-mail at contact@iqsregistrars.com.
4.6 Corrective Actions
IQSR immediately begins corrective action proceedings upon discovery of improper publicizing
of certification, a misuse of the IQSR logo, standard licensing body logos or accreditation body
symbols.
Non-certified organization found to be using the IQSR logo, standard licensing body logos or
accreditation body symbols, including former certified organizations, receive one written
warning, via registered mail return receipt requested, to cease and desist the improper
publicizing of certification or use of logos and/or symbols, with a specific deadline for
acquiescence. Should the misuse continue, the Programs and Accreditations Manager refers
the matter to the President and possibly to the appropriate legal counsel for action. The
Programs and Accreditations Manager may also notify concerned regulatory and accreditation
bodies of the specifics of the matter.
Certified organizations who violate IQSR regulations regarding the publicizing of certification
are instructed to implement effective corrective action in writing, either via nonconformity report,
registered letter from the President, or other means.
The Programs and Accreditations Manager follows up on such corrective action requests and
obtains written agreement from the certified organizations to
a) Discontinue the improper use at once;
b) Notify any person or organization that may have been misled in any way, shape, or form by the misuse, of the corrective action and the reasons therefore, copying IQSR’s Programs and Accreditations Manager and/or President in writing.
The Programs and Accreditations Manager may, at his/her discretion, follow up on these steps
by scheduling a special surveillance of the certified organizations’ facility; inquiring of recipients
of the certified organizations’ corrective action letters, or other means that may be appropriate.
In any event, the incidence of misuse is followed up at subsequent surveillance audits of the
certified organization.
4.7 Escalation
Certified organizations who refuse to discontinue improper use of the IQSR logo, standard
licensing body logos or accreditation body symbols or improper publicizing of certification; who
persist in violation of IQSR's Regulations regarding publicizing of certification; who misuse the
logos and/or symbols repeatedly in different ways, and/or who fail to promptly and affirmatively
implement corrective actions as instructed, are subject to having their certification suspended
or withdrawn.
4.8 Other Provisions
Upon successful certification, certified organizations will be issued a “Certificate of Registration”
that will clearly reference the specific scope of certification. IQSR will not issue a certificate in
any scope area for which it has not received accreditation.
4.9 Appendix A
Guidelines for Publicizing Your Certification
Don’t use ISO’s logo.
Don’t adapt or modify ISO’s logo for your use.
Don’t excerpt from audit reports provided by IQSR for publicizing of certification.
If you want to use a logo or wish to publicize your success, ask IQSR for permission to use its logo, or guidance on publicity.
In the ISO 9001 context, “certified” (and “certification”) and “registered” (and “registration”) are equivalent in meaning and you can use either term.
Don’t say your organization has been “accredited”. IQSR is “accredited” – our clients are “certified” or “registered”.
Don’t use “ISO certified”, or “ISO certification”.
Use instead “ISO 9001 certified”, “ISO 9001 certification”. IQSR would prefer that the revision year of the standard is included. If you choose not to do so, this is acceptable. If you include the revision year, it must be updated as appropriate.
Don’t display IQSR logo or any applicable accreditation body symbols on products, product labels, or product packaging, or in any way that may be interpreted as denoting product conformity. This applies to laboratory test, calibration or inspection reports.
It is permissible to use a statement on product packaging or in accompanying information that your Organization’s management system is certified. Product packaging is considered as that which can be removed without the product disintegrating or being damaged. Accompanying information is considered as separately available or easily detachable. Type labels or identification are considered as part of the product. The statement shall in no way imply that a product, process or service is certified by this means. The statement shall include the reference to:
- identification (e.g. brand or name) of the certified organization
- the type of management system (e.g. quality, environmental) and the applicable standard; and
- identification of IQSR as the Certification Body issuing the certificate
Example: This product is manufactured by ABC plant of XYZ company certified to ISO 9001 (Quality Management System) by IQSR
Don’t give the impression in any context that ISO 9001 or ISO 14001 certifications are product certifications or product guarantees.
When including a reference to ISO 9001 or ISO 14001 certifications in product-related information, including advertisements, do not do so in such a way that ISO 9001 or ISO 14001 certifications may be interpreted as being product certifications or product guarantees.
Be accurate and precise about the scope (the extent) of your organization’s ISO 9001 certification, as far as both the activities and geographical locations covered by the certifications are concerned.
Always use the most current version of accreditation body symbols and/or standard licensing body logos. If in doubt, contact the Quality Manager via e-mail at contact@iqsregistrars.com. or via phone at 218-350-1328.
4.10 Appendix B
Regulations for Use of the IQSR Logo and Accreditation Body Symbols
The logos and symbols that may be used by a IQSR-certified organization is/are indicated on the actual IQSR Certificate of Registration. They are found in the lower left hand corner of the certificate.
No logos or symbols can be used on any legal documents (e.g., contracts, checks, calibration reports, purchase orders). They may be used on promotional materials and business stationery.
No logos or symbols can be used in such a way as to suggest that any product, process, or service that was not a part of the registration audit is certified.
Logos or symbols shall be reproduced in a size that makes all of the features clearly distinguishable.
International Quality System Registrars (IQSR)
The IQSR logo may be used independently or in combination with the symbols of IQSR’s accreditation bodies (if the certified organization is entitled to use them).
If the logo is reproduced in a single color, the color may be black or a single-color belonging to the house-style of the certified organization, if the color provides sufficient contrast to make the mark clearly identifiable.
American Accreditation Association (USA)
The AAA symbol may only be used in combination with IQSR’s logo, and the AAA symbol may not be larger or more conspicuous than the IQSR logo. Same rules apply as above.