Use of Marks Policy
Guardian Middle East LLC’s Use of Marks Policy governs how certified clients may refer to their certification under ISO/IEC 17021-1 §8.3 + §8.4. Permitted use is on the certified scope only, with accurate representation of accreditation status, in line with the IAF MLA Mark Use Rules and individual accreditation body rules. Tier 4 (Guardian Approved Scheme) certificates may NOT carry UAF, IAS, QS, or IAF MLA marks. Misuse triggers notice, warning, suspension, or withdrawal.
Defined Terms & Mark Categories
This Policy distinguishes between several categories of marks. The rules differ by category.
Mark Category | Description |
Certification body mark | The mark of the issuing certification body — Guardian Assessment Pvt Ltd (Tier 1, Tier 2 excl. ISO 22301), the Third-Party CB (Tier 2 — ISO 22301), TNV Global Limited (Tier 3), or Guardian Middle East LLC under the Guardian Approved Scheme (Tier 4). |
Accreditation body mark | The mark of an accreditation body — UAF (United Accreditation Foundation), IAS (International Accreditation Service), QS (Qatar General Organization for Standardization). Each accreditation body has its own rules on mark use. |
IAF MLA mark | The IAF Multilateral Recognition Arrangement mark — used in conjunction with the certification body and accreditation body marks where the accreditation falls within the IAF MLA scope. Governed by the IAF MLA Mark Use Rules. |
QS Recognition reference | Reference to QS Recognition (RB066-26) for Tier 1 certifications — distinct from accreditation; QS is a National Recognition Body, not an accreditation body. |
Guardian Approved Scheme mark | The mark of the Guardian Approved Scheme (Tier 4 — Guardian’s internal scheme). Distinct from accreditation marks. Indicates non-accredited certification under Guardian’s internal scheme procedures. |
General Principles of Use
Whatever the tier and accreditation chain, the following general principles apply to the use of marks by certified clients:
- Accuracy of scope — references and marks may be used only in connection with the scope of activities covered by the certificate. Reference to certification on activities or sites outside the certified scope is misuse.
- Accuracy of accreditation status — references must accurately reflect the accreditation chain. Tier 4 (Guardian Approved Scheme) certificates may NOT be referenced as ‘accredited certified’ or claim UAF, IAS, QS, or IAF MLA recognition.
- Accuracy of certification body — references must accurately identify the issuing certification body — Guardian Assessment Pvt Ltd, the Third-Party CB, TNV Global Limited, or Guardian Middle East LLC, depending on tier.
- Validity period — marks and references may be used only during the period the certificate is valid. Use must cease immediately on suspension or withdrawal.
- No reference to consultancy — references must not state or imply that Guardian Middle East LLC provided consultancy, gap analysis, training, or implementation services in connection with the certification.
- No reference to product certification— management system certification is NOT product certification. References must not imply that products, services, or specific outputs are themselves certified.
- Prior approval— significant uses of marks (especially in advertising, on packaging, or on prominent client-facing materials) should be reviewed with Guardian’s marks function (marks@guardian.qa) before publication.
- Compliance with mark-owner rules— UAF, IAS, QS, and IAF each have their own mark rules. Clients are bound by these rules in addition to Guardian’s Policy.
Tier-by-Tier Mark Use
Tier | Permitted Marks & References |
Tier 1 — QS-Recognised | Certification body mark — Guardian Assessment Pvt Ltd mark. Accreditation body marks — UAF, IAS marks (subject to UAF/IAS rules). IAF MLA mark — permitted in conjunction with accreditation body marks. QS Recognition reference — ‘QS-Recognised under RB066-26’ or equivalent factual reference; QS-issued mark used per QS rules. Listing — IAF CertSearch entry available for public verification. |
Tier 2 — UAF/IAS Accredited (excluding ISO 22301) | Certification body mark — Guardian Assessment Pvt Ltd mark. Accreditation body marks — UAF, IAS marks (subject to UAF/IAS rules). IAF MLA mark — permitted in conjunction with accreditation body marks. QS reference — NOT permitted (QS recognition does not extend beyond Tier 1 standards). Listing — IAF CertSearch entry available. |
Tier 2 — ISO 22301 ONLY | Certification body mark — Third-Party Certification Body’s mark (the IAS-Accredited issuing body under MSCB 154). Accreditation body mark — IAS mark (subject to IAS rules; UAF mark NOT applicable since the issuing body is IAS-accredited for ISO 22301). IAF MLA mark — permitted as governed by the Third-Party CB’s IAS accreditation. Guardian Middle East LLC — referenced as ‘local representative in Qatar’, not as the issuing certification body. Listing — IAF CertSearch entry available under the Third-Party CB’s accreditation. |
Tier 3 — TNV Partnership | Certification body mark — TNV Global Limited mark. Accreditation body marks — UAF mark per TNV’s UAF accreditation (subject to UAF rules). IAF MLA mark — permitted in conjunction with TNV’s UAF mark. Guardian Middle East LLC — referenced as ‘local representative in Qatar’, not as the issuing certification body. Listing — IAF CertSearch entry available under TNV’s UAF accreditation. |
Tier 4 — Guardian Approved Scheme | Certification body mark — Guardian Approved Scheme mark, distinct from accreditation marks. Accreditation body marks — NOT PERMITTED. UAF, IAS, QS marks must NOT be displayed. IAF MLA mark — NOT PERMITTED. Mandatory disclaimer required on certificate display contexts — ‘Certified under the Guardian Approved Scheme — issued under Guardian’s internal scheme procedures aligned with ISO/IEC 17021-1 and applicable IAF Mandatory Documents. Not externally accredited. Not listed on IAF CertSearch.’ Listing — NOT on IAF CertSearch. Verification by request to info@guardian.qa. |
Permitted Use Contexts
Subject to the principles in §13 and tier-specific rules in §14, marks and references may typically be used in:
Use Context | Specific Rules |
Certificates, awards, plaques | Original certificate issued by Guardian (or partner CB) is the canonical evidence. Reproductions must be faithful to the original. |
Websites and digital communications | Marks may be displayed on websites and in digital materials. Scope must be accurately represented. Where the certificate covers only specific sites or activities, the website must be clear about which sites/activities are within scope. |
Marketing materials | Brochures, advertisements, and presentations may reference certification. Significant uses (national advertising, packaging, prominent campaigns) should be reviewed with marks@guardian.qa before publication. |
Tender documents and stakeholder communications | Certification may be referenced in tenders, stakeholder reports, and similar communications. Accuracy of accreditation status is particularly important in tender contexts where stakeholders verify accreditation. |
Stationery, letterhead, business cards | Marks may appear on stationery and business cards subject to mark-owner rules and visual identity guidelines. |
Vehicles, signage, premises | Marks may appear on premises and vehicles where the activities covered by the certified scope are conducted. Use on premises or vehicles outside scope is misuse. |
Email signatures, corporate templates | Marks may be incorporated into email signatures and corporate templates subject to scope accuracy. |
Prohibited Uses
The following uses are prohibited regardless of tier and trigger the misuse consequences in §17:
Product Certification Implications
- Product packaging and labels — management system certification (ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 27001 etc.) is NOT product certification. Marks must NOT be applied to products, product packaging, product labels, or product test reports in a way that suggests the product itself is certified.
- Product advertisements — advertisements for specific products must not display certification marks in a way that suggests product certification.
- Test certificates and laboratory reports — must not bear management system certification marks; these are governed by separate ISO/IEC 17025 (testing laboratory) frameworks.
Misrepresentation of Status
- Tier 4 claiming accreditation — Guardian Approved Scheme certificates must NOT be referenced as ‘accredited certified’, ‘UAF certified’, ‘IAS certified’, ‘QS certified’, or ‘IAF MLA recognized’.
- Out-of-scope claims — claims that overstate the scope, e.g., claiming whole-organization certification when only one site or activity is covered.
- Expired or suspended certifications — references must cease immediately on expiry, suspension, or withdrawal.
- False claims of duration — references must not imply longer certified history than the actual certificate validity.
Misleading Implications
- Endorsement of products — references must not imply that Guardian or any accreditation body endorses the client’s products, services, or business operations.
- Consultancy or training — references must not state or imply that Guardian provided consultancy, gap analysis, training, or implementation services in connection with the certification.
- Government endorsement — references to QS Recognition must not be presented as Qatari government endorsement of the client or its products. QS Recognition relates to the certification body’s recognition, not to the client.
Authority to issue certifications — clients must not represent that they themselves can issue certifications
Misuse Consequences
Misuse of certification marks or references is a breach of the certification contract executed at Step 2. Detected misuse triggers a graduated response under ISO/IEC 17021-1 §8.4:
Stage | Action |
Stage 1 — Notice | Initial notice to the client identifying the misuse, requesting correction within a defined timeframe (typically 14 to 30 days), and confirming the scope-correct use going forward. Most misuse cases resolve at this stage with prompt correction. |
Stage 2 — Formal Warning | Where Stage 1 correction is not made, or where misuse continues, a formal warning is issued. The warning records the misuse, the consequences if not corrected, and the timeline for compliance. |
Stage 3 — Suspension | Where the formal warning is not addressed, the certification is suspended. During suspension, the client may NOT continue to claim certification — including any continuing use of marks. The IAF CertSearch entry is updated to reflect suspended status. Suspension period typically up to 6 months. |
Stage 4 — Withdrawal | Where suspension is not resolved, or in cases of serious or repeated misuse, certification is withdrawn. The client must immediately cease all use of marks and references. The IAF CertSearch entry is updated to withdrawn status. Public withdrawal disclosure may apply. |
Additional measures | Serious or systemic misuse may also trigger: notification to the accreditation body (UAF, IAS, QS); notification to affected parties where required; legal action where the misuse damages Guardian’s interests or the integrity of the certification system. |
Severe Misuse — Accelerated Response
Some misuse warrants accelerated escalation past Stage 1 directly to formal warning, suspension, or withdrawal:
- Tier 4 falsely claiming UAF, IAS, QS, or IAF MLA accreditation — accelerated response.
- Use after expiry, suspension, or withdrawal — accelerated response.
- Reproduction of accreditation body marks without authority — accelerated response.
- Use that materially damages a third party’s interests — accelerated response with possible legal consequences.
On Suspension or Withdrawal
Immediately on suspension or withdrawal of certification:
- Cease all use of marks— including from websites, marketing materials, products, premises, vehicles, and any other reference contexts.
- Cease all references to certification — in tender documents, stakeholder communications, advertising, and any other public or commercial materials.
- Return / deactivate certificates— physical certificates returned to Guardian; digital certificates deactivated.
- Update web and digital presence— within 14 days for suspension; immediately for withdrawal.
- Notify affected stakeholders— where the certification has been referenced in active engagements (tenders in progress, contracts where certification is a precondition).
Failure to comply with cessation requirements is itself misuse — and triggers further action including potential legal recourse. Cessation cooperation is part of the certification contract executed at Step 2.
Verification & Monitoring
Compliance with this Policy is monitored through:
- Surveillance audits — Year 1 + Year 2 surveillance audits review the use of certification marks and references across the client’s communications, packaging, websites, and marketing materials per ISO/IEC 17021-1 §9.6.2.
- Recertification audits — comprehensive review at Year 3 covering the full cycle’s mark use.
- Third-party reports — Guardian responds to reports from competitors, customers, regulators, accreditation bodies, or members of the public regarding suspected misuse.
- Periodic monitoring — Guardian or its agents may conduct periodic monitoring of public communications by certified clients.
- Self-reporting — clients are encouraged to self-report misuse identified internally; prompt self-correction is treated favourably.
Suspected misuse can be reported to marks@guardian.qa or via the Complaints process at /legal/complaints-and-appeals/.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on your tier. Tier 1, Tier 2 (excluding ISO 22301), and Tier 3 certifications have UAF and/or IAS accreditation chains and the marks can be displayed subject to UAF/IAS individual rules. Tier 2 (ISO 22301) is IAS-accredited via the Third-Party CB. Tier 4 (Guardian Approved Scheme) certifications must NOT display UAF, IAS, QS, or IAF MLA marks — Tier 4 is non-accredited.
Yes for Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 certifications — the IAF MLA mark may be displayed in conjunction with the accreditation body mark, subject to IAF MLA Mark Use Rules. NO for Tier 4 (Guardian Approved Scheme) — Tier 4 is non-accredited and cannot reference IAF MLA.
No. Management system certification (ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 27001 etc.) is NOT product certification. Marks must not be applied to products, product packaging, product labels, or product test reports in a way that suggests the product itself is certified. The certification covers your management system — not specific products.
No. Tier 4 (Guardian Approved Scheme) is non-accredited certification under Guardian's internal scheme. It is not listed on IAF CertSearch and does not carry IAF MLA recognition. Claims of 'IAF recognized' or 'accredited certified' or 'UAF certified' are misuse and trigger the consequences in §17. Tier 4 references must use 'certified under the Guardian Approved Scheme' phrasing.
References must accurately reflect the certified scope. If only one site is certified, the website and other materials must be clear about which site is covered. If only specific activities are certified, claims must be limited to those activities. Claiming whole-organization certification when only part is covered is overstating scope — a form of misuse.
Routine uses (websites, business cards, stationery, certificates display) do not require pre-approval — they should follow the principles in §13 and the tier-specific rules in §14. Significant uses — national advertising, prominent packaging campaigns, large-format public communications — should be reviewed with marks@guardian.qa before publication. When in doubt, ask.
Self-reporting and prompt correction are treated favourably. If you identify a misuse internally, contact marks@guardian.qa or your Guardian Client Affairs contact. Most misuse cases resolve at the Stage 1 (Notice) level with prompt correction. The graduated response in §17 only escalates if the misuse is not corrected, continues, or is severe / repeated.
Marks and references must cease at expiry — unless the certificate is renewed through recertification. If recertification is in progress and the new certificate has not yet issued, references should be updated to reflect the transition. If recertification is not pursued or is unsuccessful, all marks and references must cease, websites must be updated, and certification claims removed from active stakeholder communications.
Only the certified entity itself within its scope. Marks cannot be used by parent companies, subsidiaries, sister companies, suppliers, customers, or affiliates — unless those entities themselves hold a separate certification. Group structures with multi-site certifications use the integrated certificate with site-specific scope statements; specific site/entity references must remain accurate.
Yes — and it is a common reason for seeking certification. References must accurately reflect the scope, accreditation status, validity, and issuing body. In tender contexts, accuracy of accreditation status is particularly important as evaluators verify accreditation. Tier 4 (Guardian Approved Scheme) certificates can be referenced in tenders but must not be presented as accredited.
Report it. Suspected misuse can be reported to marks@guardian.qa for matters relating to Guardian-certified entities, or to the Complaints process at /legal/complaints-and-appeals/. For misuse by entities certified by other certification bodies, the reports should be directed to the relevant certification body or their accreditation body. Misuse undermines the integrity of the certification system — collective vigilance is part of how the system works.
Authorised mark files (logo files in approved formats with visual identity guidelines) are issued by Guardian to certified clients through the Client Affairs function on certification grant. Mark files are not publicly downloadable — they are provided to certified clients under the certification contract terms. Requests for mark files: marks@guardian.qa.