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Certificate and Mark Use Policy

How certificates, digital cards, register entries and the QA Assessor name and mark may be used. Reference: QA-CB-POL-006 | ISO/IEC 17024:2026 clause 9.7 | Version: 2.1 | Approved: 26 September 2026

1. Ownership

Certificates, digital cards, register entries and the QA Assessor name, logo and certification mark remain the property of QA Assessor. A certified person is licensed to use them only while the certification is current (status Certified and listed) and only for the scheme and grade held.

2. What a certificate contains

The name of the certified person; the unique certificate number, formed of the holder’s eight-digit Register ID and the scheme code (for example 93506121-QMS) with an issue number for each re-issue (numbers issued before 26 September 2026 in the form QAC-YYYY-NNNNNN remain valid aliases); the legal name of the certification body; the scope of certification (management system auditing against the standard named, at the grade named); the certification period (three years from the decision, subject to the annual conditions) and the date of the issue; the annual listing paid-until date; the verification address and QR code; the authorised signatory; the statement that the certificate remains the property of QA Assessor; and the statement that QA Assessor’s certification processes are self-declared as aligned with ISO/IEC 17024:2026. The application reference (APP-YYYY-NNNNNN) is not a certificate number. The register entry and the verification page, not the document, are the authoritative record of the holder’s status.

3. Permitted use

  • Describing yourself as “QA Assessor Certified [grade], [standard]”, with the certificate number, in a CV, profile, proposal, tender, report or email signature.
  • Showing the certificate and the digital card, and sharing the verification link or the register entry link.
  • Using the certification mark next to your name in the form provided by QA Assessor, unaltered in shape, proportion and wording.

4. Not permitted

  • Implying certification on a scheme or at a grade you do not hold, or that a lapsed, suspended or withdrawn certification is current.
  • Implying that QA Assessor certifies organisations, products, management systems or training courses, or that QA Assessor is an accreditation body or is accredited.
  • Altering, cropping or re-issuing a certificate or card, or transferring it to another person.
  • Using the mark on audit reports, certificates of conformity or any document in a way that suggests it is an accreditation or certification-body mark.
  • Using the mark in a way that is misleading or that could damage the reputation of QA Assessor.

5. On lapse, suspension or withdrawal

Use of the certificate, card, title and mark stops on the date the status changes. The register and the verification page show the status. QA Assessor may require the return or destruction of copies, may publish a correction, and may take the steps in the Suspension and Withdrawal Policy.

6. Verification by third parties

Anyone may confirm a certificate by scanning the QR code, opening the verification link printed on it, or searching the Auditor Register by name, Register ID or certificate number. No registration is needed and nothing is charged.

7. Misuse

Misuse by a certified person is handled under the Suspension and Withdrawal Policy. Misuse by a third party (for example a forged certificate) is met with written notice, a public correction where needed and, if necessary, legal action. Suspected misuse can be reported through the contact page.