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Use of Logos and Symbols

1.0 Purpose

1.1 This procedure describes the applicable rules for the proper use of Certification and Accreditation markings and symbols in the promotion of certification awarded to organisations who successfully complete the conformity assessment and attain ISO 9001:2015 certification. 

1.2 The procedure also outlines the rules for proper use of the accreditation marks and symbols issued to FP Certification FZCO by their accreditation body and to ensure traceability back to FP Certification FZCO.

1.3 Additionally, it outlines the actions FP Certification FZCO will enforce when the utilisation of the symbols, marks or language are utilised inappropriately by organisations.

2.0 Scope

2.1 This procedure applies to all personnel and activities associated with the use of certification marks and symbols, including personnel of the organisation certified to ISO 9001:2015 by FP Certification FZCO.

3.0 References

3.1 ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015 

3.2 FP Certification FPCO Quality Manual

3.3 FP Certification FPCO Client Guidance of Use of Logo and Marking

3.4 DAC-REQ-05 Accreditation Requirements of Conditions for the use of DAC Accreditation Symbol. – Dubai Accreditation Centre (DAC)

4.0 Definitions

4.1 FP Certification FZCO Logo: Is the logo used by FP Certification FZCO to identify itself. 

4.2 DAC (Dubai Accreditation Center): Is the accreditation body of FP Certification FZCO.

4.3 DAC Certification Logo: Is the logo used only by DAC (Dubai Accreditation Department) to identify itself.

4.4 DAC Accreditation Symbol: Is a combination of the DAC Logo and the accreditation number allotted to FP Certification FZCO by DAC. It is used by FP Certification FZCO to indicate accreditation status.

4.5 CB: Certification Body

5.0 Responsibilities

5.1 The FP Certification FZCO Manager shall be responsible for the continued monitoring and maintenance of this procedure. 

5.2 The FP Certification FZCO Administrator shall be responsible for ensuring that certificate holders receive the appropriate certification symbol materials, including guidelines for use.

5.3 The appointed FP Certification FZCO auditor shall ensure that during each audit they report on the correct use of markings and symbols.

5.4 The FP Certification FZCO Administrator shall be responsible for ensuring that all FP Certification FZCO documents and records shall, where applicable accurately reflect that marks and symbols are applied in accordance with this procedure.

6.0 Procedure

6.1 Conditions for using the FP Certification FZCO logo mark 

6.1.1 The underlying principle for applying the FP Certification FZCO Logo Mark for marketing or advertising compliance with ISO 9001:2015, is to avoid false, misleading, or confusing claims to clients, employees, the general public, and other stakeholders.

6.1.2 The FP Certification FZCO Logo Mark, Ref fig1 is to be used as stated in the specified terms and conditions and the licence agreement.

  Fig 1

6.1.3 The FP Certification FZCO Logo is a trade mark. 

6.1.4 The FP certification FZCO Logo shall be reproduced as specified in the terms and conditions and the licence agreement for use of the Logo and Trademark.

6.1.5 Additional information may be placed in conjunction with the FP Certification FZCO Logo. E.g. Certificate Number, Applicable Standard (ISO 9001:2015).

6.1.6 The FP Certification FZCO Logo must be fully legible and clearly visible.

6.1.7 For multiple-site organisations, the FP Certification FZCO Logo shall only be used in conjunction with the organisation’s name and location that gained certification.

6.1.8 For a certificate holder that gained certification for only a portion of their manufacturing processes, products or services, claims of certification must be specific and not provide the impression of “organisation-wide” certification.

6.1.9 The FP Certification FZCO Logo shall not be used on products or packaging, in a manner that suggests that the products, processes or services themselves are certified / registered or endorsed by FP Certification FZCO in order to avoid confusion with product certification.

6.1.10 The client may put a statement (without the use of the certification logo) on product packaging or accompanying information stating that it has a certified management system. The statement shall in no way imply that the products, processes or services are certified by this means.

This statement must include reference to:

  • The name of the certified client
  • The type of management system (e.g. quality, environmental) and the applicable standard (e.g. 9001)
  • The name of the certification body issuing the certificate.

6.1.11 The certificate holder is responsible to FP Certification FZCO for FP Certification FZCO Logo use, ensuringthat the logo used in advertising or other activities takes place within the conditions as specified in the licence agreement.

6.1.12 The certificate holder ensures that using the FP Certification FZCO Logo in advertising or for other measures takes place within these terms of reference. The use of the logo is limited to legal persons and must not, without the express permission of FP Certification FZCO, be transferred to third parties or successors or be the subject of an assignment or a sale or of any sort of enforced measure

6.1.13 If necessary, other requirements with regard to the use of trademarks will be developed between the individual certificate holders and FP Certification FZCO. Such requirements will form part of the certification agreement and the certificate holder will immediately be subject to such requirements

6.2 Conditions for using the accreditation mark (DAC)

6.2.1 The Accreditation Body (AB) grants FP Certification FZCO the right to apply the AB mark on all reports / certificates that contain results from accredited methods carried out within the scope of accreditation. The AB has provided written rules to FP Certification FZCO which includes requirements for colour, size, and location of the trade mark.

6.2.2 The certificate holder shall always use the DAC symbol in conjunction with the mark of the certification body or certification scheme and in accordance with the specified FP Certification FZCO terms and conditions and licence agreement. Ref fig 2.

Fig 2

6.2.3 The certificate holder ensures that using the AB marks in advertising or for other measures takes place within these terms of reference. The use of the mark is limited to legal persons and must not, without the express permission of FP Certification FZCO and the applicable AB, be transferred to third parties or successors or be the subject of an assignment or a sale or of any sort of enforced measure. 

6.2.4 Neither the FP Certification Logo nor the accreditation body mark shall be used on a product or product packaging seen by the consumer or by any other method that may suggest product conformity when only the management system is certified. Neither the FP Certification Logo nor the accreditation mark shall be used on laboratory test, calibration or inspection reports.

6.2.5 Use of the FP Certification FZCO Logo or AB marks is limited to the scope as stated on the certificate. The accreditation body mark may be used only for business purposes and only on documents for business correspondence and in an advertising context.

6.2.6 Under suspension, the client's management system certificate is temporarily invalid. During the suspension the client shall refrain from any further promotion of its certification. FP Certification FZCO shall make the suspension information publicly accessible. Failure to comply with this requirement may lead to suspension and withdrawal of the client's certification.

6.2.7 If certification is withdrawn in accordance with the certification requirements of FP Certification FZCO the certificate holder loses the right to use the mark.

6.2.8 The right to use the mark ceases both on expiration date of the certification and in the event of intentional or grossly negligent violation of the terms of these regulations. If the right to use the mark ceases, the certificate holder may continue to use existing documents, media etc., which include the mark for not more than one month from the date of the expiration.

6.3 Using the DAC accreditation mark 

6.3.1 The following regulations apply only to certificate holders who have received a registration certificate from FP Certification FZCO with an accreditation mark from the Dubai Accreditation Center. The conditions for use of the DAC name and accreditation marks are defined in the current version of DAC-REQ-05 Accreditation requirements of conditions for the use of DAC accreditation symbol, which may be found in complete form on the DAC web site at www.dac.gov.ae.

6.3.2 The DAC accreditation mark may be used in the following representational form: 

Fig 3

6.3.3 The above mark and all of the other marks in this procedure are provided as examples only.

6.3.4 An FP Certification FZCO certified organisation may use the DAC accreditation mark only in conjunction with the FP Certification FZCO mark for the appropriate management system standard(s) for which the organisation is certified. See fig 2. DAC accreditation is indicated by the presence of a DAC accreditation mark on the organisation's management system certification certificate from FP Certification FZCO. These marks may be used on the organisation's stationery and literature, and in its advertising, subject to the conditions defined in this procedure, or additionally defined by either FP Certification FZCO or DAC.

6.3.5 The DAC accreditation mark shall be reproduced:

6.3.5.1 In a size which makes all features of the mark clearly distinguishable, minimum height 20mm x minimum width 25mm.

6.3.5.2 Without distortion of its dimensions.

6.3.5.3 When using the DAC accreditation mark, its size must not exceed the size of the FP Certification FZCO logo.

6.3.5.4 An organisation may not place the DAC accreditation mark in isolation from the FP Certification FZCO Logo.

6.3.5.5 The accreditation number shall be printed centrally underneath the DAC Logo and shall consist of 3 fields:
I. The first field consists of two letters identifying the type of CB
II. Second field consisting of numbers, shows the reference number of the CB and the
III. Third field consists of letters showing the broader scope of CB as shown in figure 3 above.

6.3.6 DAC's accreditation mark shall not be used on a product or evidence of service provision or in such a way to imply that FP Certification FZCO and/or DAC have certified, approved, or endorsed any product, process, or service, or in any other misleading manner. If larger boxes, etc., used for transportation include the mark(s), a statement must be included. This could be a clear statement that "(This product) was manufactured in a plant whose quality/environmental management systems are certified as being in conformity with ISO 9001:2015.” 

6.3.7 If necessary other regulations will be laid down in writing with regard to the use of the marks in consultation with the certificate holder, the CB, and the AB. Such a regulation shall be part of the certification agreement.

6.4 Unauthorised or misuse of accreditation body or FP certification marks, logos and symbols

6.4.1 In case of accreditation and certification marks usage abuse, FP Certification FZCO will be forced to apply safeguard measures. Such measures will result from false presentation of certification status or misleading actions towards third parties. Disregarding and not correcting observed misuse can ultimately lead to suspension and withdrawal of certificates.

6.4.2 Marks, Logos and Symbols shall not be used prior to receiving certification.

6.4.3 Marks, Logos and Symbols shall not be used in a misleading manner that gives the impression that FP Certification FZCO is accredited for items not in the scope of accreditation. This includes misleading advertising, websites etc.

6.4.4 Marks, Logos and Symbols shall not be used by the certified organisation in a misleading manner that gives the impression the organisation is certified for items not within the scope of certification. This includes misleading advertising, websites etc.

6.4.5 Marks shall not be reproduced on items or material that may give the impression the certification encompasses a product or services outside the scope of certification.

6.4.6 Certified organisation utilising the FP Certification FZCO or DAC Marks, Logos and Symbols in any unauthorized manner will result in FP Certification FZCO taking immediate action to resolve the noncompliance. FP Certification FZCO will enforce its corrective action policy as outlined in this document and the specified terms and conditions.

7.0 Records

7.1 This procedure does not generate any record requirements.

8.0 Appendices