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FACT: Certification Marks Enjoy Equal Market Acceptance

Our clients enjoy the benefits of streamlined and efficient third party certification, compliance programs and equal market acceptance. What makes ApprovalMark International different is that unlike larger organisations that operate with a monopoly mindset, our service and fees reflect the efficiencies and savings we have been able to create within the JAS-ANZ accredited approval process.

ApprovalMark Is the Only Assurance Your Product Will Ever Need

At ApprovalMark International, we work closely with industry stakeholders and recognised experts within each relevant field. This has enabled us to streamline and simplify the certification process, whilst still remaining within the recognised guidelines of ISO 17065 and System 5 certification. ApprovalMark International is the fastest growing certification body for plumbing products within Australia, accredited by the government-appointed body JAS-ANZ

Cost Assurance With Guaranteed Fee Structures

We demonstrate our commitment to service by making your decision process as easy as possible. This means that your product can get to the market faster, saving time, resources and money. Fast decisions can be achieved because we waive application and endorsement fees, we guarantee fees for the first three years and there are NO hidden royalty fees for the use of the Mark. Combined with equal market acceptance, why wouldn’t you transfer your license across? Contact us for more details.

“We had been using a large certifier for many years. Since the GFC in 2008 there have been significant cost pressures on our business and yet we found our certifier to be inflexible and unsympathetic. This was particularly disappointing given our growing range of products. As a result we found it increasingly difficult to budget for certification, it seemed as if every month we were hit by a financial shock wave; regular 5% fee increases, unnecessary royalties fees for the use of their Mark, fees for additional work which was difficult for us to quantify the additional travelling expenditure, often because the auditor was not planning ahead. In contrast we found the process of transferring our licenses to ApprovalMark as simple as one phone call. ApprovalMark has given us cost certainty, a process that we can plan for and work with’ – Quality Assurance Manager; Leading Plumbing Supplier”

Whether you plan to manufacture, import products or have existing licenses transferred contact us for a confidential and obligation free consultation and find out why so many of your industry peers are choosing ApprovalMark International.

Impartiality Statement

ApprovalMark International, it’s employees including contractors have a full understanding of the importance of impartiality and potential conflicts of interest in carrying out product and management system certification activities. This is enforced through contractually binding agreements. Where any potential threat is identified, a risk assessment is carried out in order to address the threat. ApprovalMark International has an Impartiality Committee committed to ensure the business remains impartial and has no conflicts of interest by undertaking annual reviews. The committee is structured to ensure there is no dominating interest from any one stakeholder and has the right to take independent action should ApprovalMark International fail to respect its advice.

Certification Mark Regulations

These Regulations relate to the AMI System Certification Mark (the “Certification Mark”) as shown in Appendix 1 which is licensed and owned by ApprovalMark International. The Certification Mark shown in Appendix 1 is for reference only and is not to be used by the Client as is. AMI will provide the Client with the right logo to be used and reserves the right to replace the Certification Mark as shown in the Appendix 1 by another certification mark at any time. A client can only use the Certification Mark if their management system has been successfully certified by AMI, for a renewable period of three-years.

1. Definitions

In these Regulations:

  • Accreditation Body - the body that has accredited the Certification Body for certifying management systems of third parties. In this case it is JASANZ.
  • Accreditation Mark - the Accreditation Body’s mark licensed to the Certification Body and that may be sub licensed to the Client whose management system has been successfully certified unless the Accreditation Body does not permit its use.
  • Certificate - the certificate of conformity and assessment schedule issued by the Certification Body specifying the scope of certification of the Client.
  • Certification Scheme number - the number which is indicated in each particular Standard.
  • Client - the company to whom a Certificate is issued.
  • Codes of Practice - a technical document describing conditions under which the Certificate and the Certification Mark may be delivered, renewed, suspended or cancelled.
  • Communication Media – A client’s communication medium such as advertisements, displays, posters, TV advertisements, promotional videos, web sites, brochures, promotional goods, stickers and any other communication media intended for his customers.
  • Improper Use – infringement of these Regulations including imitation, counterfeiting and dilution of the Certification Mark.
  • Standard - the specifications that the management system should present as well as the means of controlling the compliance of the management system to these specifications.
  • Use - the lawful, authorized, restricted, non-exclusive, limited and revocable right to use the Certification Mark.

2. Use of the Certification Mark

The Client agrees that:

  • The Certification Mark can only be used in the manner prescribed in this document and in the Certificate.
  • The Certification Mark will be used in relation to its scope of certification only.
  • The Certification Mark will be used on its Communication Media in such a way as to create no confusion between matters referred to in the scope of certification and other matters.
  • The Certification Mark will not be used on its products and/or primary packaging to ensure that the Certification Mark is not mistaken with product certification; However, the Certification Mark can be used on packaging that can be considered as not reaching end-users, with the use of a statement declaring that the product was manufactured in a plant whose management system has been certified.
  • It may use the Certification Mark on its communication media.
  • On items such as flags, vehicles, larger packaging and promotional goods the Certification Mark can be used without the Accreditation Mark. The accreditation mark can be used in combination with the Certification mark if permitted by the Accreditation body.
  • The Certification Mark or the Accreditation Mark will not be used on test reports or certificates of compliance such as calibration certificates or certificates of analysis.
  • The Certification Mark may be used on its web site as a hyperlink to the following URL of AMI web site
  • The ownership and registration of the Certification Mark, and the right of the Certification Body regarding the authorised use of the Mark will not be disputed during the period of validity of the Certificate or thereafter.
  • In the event of a suspension, withdrawal or cancellation of the Certificate, it will discontinue the use of the Certification Mark or the Accreditation Mark and will not use any copy or imitations thereafter.
  • Written permission from AMI is mandatory in order to transfer the right to use the Certification Mark, in the event of take-over or merger.

Regardless of being certified with the Certification Mark, the Client is still liable by law regarding the performance of its products and services.

3. Monitoring of the Client

AMI may assign a representative to use the methods and frequencies in the relevant standards to ensure that the Clients management systems conform to the Standards they have been certified to. This includes conformity to these Regulations and the Codes of Practice.

4. Penalties and Appeal

AMI holds the right to suspend or withdraw certification and the right to use the Certification Mark in the event the Certification Mark has been used in an improper manner. The process associated with suspension or withdrawal of certification can be obtained on request to AMI. An appeal to this decision can also be made, and this procedure is also available on request from AMI.

5. Renunciation

A Client must notify AMI in writing in the event they decide to renounce or suspend the use of the Certification Mark for a certain period of time. All client communication media must be altered or withdrawn accordingly. AMI shall inform the Client of the terms and conditions for temporary or definitive termination of use of the Certification Mark.

6. Financial Conditions

The financial conditions for authorization to use the Certification Mark are included in the contract between AMI and the Client.

7. Confidentiality

The Client, at all times, shall keep all documents received from AMI confidential with the exception of the Certificate, these Regulations and the Appendix. Documents can only be shared with a third party if agreed in writing with AMI.

8. Changes to the legislation

AMI complies with all national and international laws, regulations and standards in force concerning the right to use the Certification Mark or the conditions for obtaining said right. In the event any modifications are made by legislation, AMI will notify Clients in writing and the Client must apply the modifications accordingly at their own cost.

9. Changes to the regulations governing the use of the mark

AMI reserves the right to modify these Regulations at any time and will provide written notification of all changes to the Client who will then be obligated to apply the changes at their own cost.

10. Technical Details

The Certification Mark shown below is an example and AMI will provide the Client with the right logo to be used.

  • The Certification Mark can be enlarged or reduced as long as the text remains legible.
  • the Accreditation Mark shall be equal in size or smaller than the Certification Mark if it were used in combination.

Certificate Suspension, Reduction or Cancellation Policy

Certificate or Licence Suspension

Suspension of certification is applicable if the client fails to meet requirements described by AMI, Standards documents or other governing bodies. The following list gives examples (but is not limited to) of these instances:

  • Clients management system has persistently or seriously failed to meet certification requirements, including requirements for the effectiveness of the management system;
  • Client has failed to address non-conformities raised during audits by AMI;
  • Client does not allow surveillance or recertification audits to be conducted at required frequencies;
  • Client has misused any information provided to them by AMI;
  • Client has misused the use of the Certification Marks including the ISO 9001 and WaterMark logos;
  • The client has requested a suspension voluntarily.

Suspension of a current licence will require formal notification of the to the licensee using form AMI-FRM-0069, and where possible return confirmation from the licensee of the suspension. The form AMI-FRM- 0069 clearly informs the licensee of the reason for the suspension and the steps to be taken regarding suspension including informing purchases of the product and removing the license and logo from the product, media or product literature.

All products which identify the certified logo must be quarantined until corrective measures have been implemented to rectify the issue. All products which have already left the premises during the suspension period will be recalled and the client will be demanded that appropriate traceability of all batch numbers from initial suspension to final resolution are maintained.

Note – products manufactured under a suspended licence may require a product recall.

AMI shall suspend the licenses on the ABCB and JAS-ANZ websites and inform the ABCB of the suspension within seven (7) working days. Auditors and AMI staff shall be informed of the suspension. All documents shall be kept in the client folder.

Note – suspended WaterMark licenses are still registered on the ABCB database and as a result require the annual ABCB upload fee to be paid on the anniversary of the licence issuance.

Reduction

In the event a client is reducing the scope of their certification for Quality Management System certification, AMI needs to be informed in writing of this request. On receipt of this information, AMI can accurately assess and make the necessary adjustments to the auditing requirements for continuing certification or recertification.
It is also possible for AMI to reduce the scope of the QMS certification for a client if it deems that the client has not been able to satisfy the requirements for those particular areas.

Cancellation

Cancellation of a certificate or licence may be granted in the following events

  • for breach of the Rules, this Manual, and procedures of the Scheme;
  • for breach of the conditions of the Approved User Agreement;
  • for failure to pay any fees, costs or charges payable under the Approved User Agreement;
  • if the Approved User becomes bankrupt, applies to take the benefit of any law for the relief of bankrupt or insolvent debtors or makes any arrangement or composition with its creditors or if a company enters into liquidation (whether compulsory or voluntary, but not including voluntary liquidation for the purpose of reconstruction) or has a receiver appointed to its business;
  • if an Approved User modifies a product, other than that permitted by the Approved Certifier by the granting of a change to the WMCC, therefore breaching the undertaking given at the time of certification and invalidating the Approved User Agreement;
  • if the Approved User fails to renew the certification within the required period after a change in the relevant applicable specification; Applicable in the event a client no longer wishes to maintain or achieve its certification to a particular standard; or Applicable in the event that issues resulting in a suspension has not been effectively resolved. Cancellation of a current licence will require formal notification of the to the licensee using form AMI-FRM-0070, and where possible return confirmation from the licensee of the cancellation. The form AMI-FRM-0070 clearly informs the licensee of the reason for the cancellation and the steps to be taken regarding cancellation including informing purchases of the product and removing the license and logo from media or product literature. AMI shall cancel the licenses on the ABCB and JAS-ANZ websites and inform the ABCB of the cancellation within seven (7) working days. Auditors and AMI staff shall be informed of the cancellation. All documents shall be kept in the client folder.

Restoration of Certification

AMI shall restore the certification of a client if the issue that resulted in its suspension or reduction has been resolved effectively. Evidence of this must be provided to AMI to confirm the necessary actions have been put in place to ensure effective compliance to the standards.
Note – Cancelled licenses cannot be reinstated.