First Wave International Certifications Pvt. Ltd. (hereinafter "FICPL") shall issue a certificate upon the client's successful compliance with all applicable certification requirements. All certificates issued by FICPL remain the property of FICPL and must be returned upon request. Certificates are issued for a period of three years and carry validity as stated therein.
Upon issue of the certificate, the client is authorised to use the FICPL Certification Mark in accordance with the conditions set out in this document. This document governs three distinct marks, each carrying separate and independent obligations:
The FICPL Certification Mark
FICPL's own certification symbol, available for use by certified clients subject to the conditions herein.
The NABCB Accreditation Symbol
Issued by the National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies; usable by certified clients only in conjunction with the FICPL mark and only where expressly permitted by FICPL.
The Combined IAF MLA Mark
Reserved exclusively for use by FICPL on accredited certificates; certified clients are strictly prohibited from using this mark under any circumstances.
1. General Conditions for Use of the FICPL Certification Mark
1.1 Authorised Use of Certification Mark
1.1 The client is authorised to use the FICPL Certification Mark on advertising and promotional materials. In doing so, the client shall ensure that it:
- Conforms to the requirements of FICPL when making reference to its certification status in communication media such as websites, brochures, advertising, or other documents.
- Does not make, or permit, any misleading statement regarding its certification status.
- Does not use, or permit the use of, any certification document or any part thereof in a misleading manner.
- Does not imply that certification applies to activities outside the scope defined in its current Registration Schedule.
- Does not use certification references in a manner that would bring FICPL and/or the certification system into disrepute or cause loss of public trust.
- Amends or withdraws all advertising and promotional materials promptly when the scope of certification is reduced.
- Upon suspension or withdrawal of certification, immediately discontinues all use of advertising matter that contains any reference to FICPL certification, as directed by FICPL.
1.2 Dual Mark Display Rules
Whenever the NABCB Accreditation Symbol is to be displayed by FICPL-certified clients, it must be accompanied by the FICPL Certification Mark. Both marks are to be proportioned such that neither has obvious precedence or prominence over the other, and their use is limited to stationery, literature, and written promotional materials.
1.3 Subsidiary Certification Clarity
Whenever a subsidiary belonging to a group has been certified, there shall be no confusion as to which part of the group holds the certification, and use of the mark shall not imply that other subsidiaries are also certified.
1.4 Text Reference Phrasing
Where an organisation wishes to make reference to its certification in text rather than by displaying the mark, it shall use, without variation, the phrase:
"An [applicable standard] Certified Company" (e.g. "An ISO 27001:2022 Certified Company" or "An ISO 9001:2015 Certified Company")
2. Logo Specifications
2.1 Size Requirements
The FICPL Certification Mark, the NABCB Accreditation Symbol, and the Combined IAF MLA Mark may be proportionally reduced or enlarged, but shall not be less than 15 mm in height and not less than 12 mm in width. Both marks must remain fully legible at all times.
2.2 Electronic Reproduction
The marks may be reproduced electronically, provided that the requirements of the respective accreditation bodies are met and no distortion, degradation, or colour alteration occurs.
2.3 Authorised Artwork Only
Only master artwork files issued by FICPL may be used. Marks must not be redrawn, recreated from components, extracted from scanned documents or PDFs, or reproduced from any source other than the authorised digital files provided by FICPL.
2.4 Permitted Colour Variations
The marks may be reproduced in full colour, greyscale, or black and white. No other colour variations are permitted.
3. Use of the NABCB Accreditation Symbol
3.1 Mandatory Accreditation Number Display
The NABCB Accreditation Symbol shall never be used in isolation. It must always be accompanied by FICPL's unique NABCB accreditation number, displayed immediately beneath the symbol. This requirement is mandatory.
3.2 Conditions for Symbol Use
Certified clients may display the NABCB Accreditation Symbol only in conjunction with the FICPL Certification Mark, and only where expressly permitted in writing by FICPL. The accreditation number must remain visible and legible at all times.
3.3 Prohibited Uses of the Symbol
The NABCB Accreditation Symbol shall not be used:
- On products, product packaging, individual product labels, test reports, calibration certificates, or inspection reports as such use may be interpreted as implying product certification or approval.
- On vehicles, except where it forms part of a large-format printed advertisement.
- On buildings or flags.
- On visiting cards (business cards).
- In any manner that implies that FICPL or NABCB has certified or approved any specific product, process, or service.
4. Use of the Combined IAF MLA Mark
4.1 Exclusive Use by FICPL
The Combined IAF MLA Mark is the property of the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and is reserved exclusively for use by FICPL on accredited certificates or validation/verification statements, and only where the scope of the certificate includes an IAF MLA recognised sub-scope.
4.2 Prohibition on Client Use
Certified client organisations are strictly and unconditionally prohibited from using the Combined IAF MLA Mark in any form, on any medium, or in any circumstance. This prohibition is imposed by IAF ML 2:2023 Clause 4.3.5 and NABCB BCB 202 Clause 5.3 and cannot be waived by FICPL or by any other party.
5. Prohibited Uses - All Marks
The following uses are prohibited in all circumstances for the FICPL Certification Mark, the NABCB Accreditation Symbol, and the Combined IAF MLA Mark:
- Use on products or product packaging, test reports, inspection reports, calibration reports, or any material that could imply product certification or approval.
- Use on visiting cards or business cards (applicable to the FICPL mark only in the case of management systems certification where use could imply product conformity; NABCB symbol is prohibited on visiting cards in all cases per NABCB BCB 202 Cl. 5.3.2(g)).
- Use that implies government endorsement, ministerial approval, or regulatory authorisation by any government body.
- Alteration of design, proportion, colour, or typography of any mark.
- Use beyond the certified scope as defined in the client's current Registration Schedule.
- Application on vehicles (except as part of a large advertisement) or on buildings and flags, in the case of the NABCB Accreditation Symbol.
6. Product Labelling
For management systems certification, neither the FICPL Certification Mark nor the NABCB Accreditation Symbol shall be used on the packaging of a product, labels, publicity material, written announcements, or any other material that could in any way suggest that FICPL or NABCB has certified or approved a product, process, or service.
Where the FICPL Certification Mark appears in association with product-related communications, the following statement must be prominently displayed and clearly linked to the mark:
Manufactured / supplied / designed / developed under a quality management system certified as complying with [applicable standard: ISO 9001 / ISO 27001 / ISO 27701 / ISO 20000-1] by First Wave International Certifications Pvt. Ltd."
7. Suspension & Withdrawal of Certification
7.1 Cessation of Use
Upon suspension or withdrawal of certification by FICPL, or upon suspension or withdrawal of FICPL's accreditation by NABCB, the client shall immediately cease use of all stationery, certificates, advertising, and promotional materials bearing the FICPL Certification Mark, the NABCB Accreditation Symbol, or any reference to FICPL certification. All original certificates and artwork supplied by FICPL are to be returned upon request.
7.2 Resuming After Suspension
If certification is suspended pending corrective action, the client shall discontinue use for the duration of the suspension and must receive written confirmation from FICPL before resuming use.
8. Update of Marks
8.1 Adopting Updated Marks
If FICPL updates its Certification Mark, certified clients shall adopt the new mark at their next printing or production cycle. Previously printed materials may be used until exhausted, provided there is no misleading representation.
8.2 Notification of Mark Updates
Clients will be notified in writing by FICPL whenever a mark update is required.
9. Misuse of Marks
Misuse includes, but is not limited to:
- Unauthorised use of the FICPL Certification Mark, NABCB Accreditation Symbol, or Combined IAF MLA Mark.
- Use of any mark on uncertified products, processes, or activities.
- Use beyond the certified scope.
- Misleading claims or misrepresentation of certification status.
- Use of the Combined IAF MLA Mark by a certified client.
- Continued use of any mark following suspension or withdrawal of certification.
9.1 Innocent Misuse
Where misuse is unintentional, FICPL shall require:
- Immediate withdrawal of the offending material; or
- Suspension of certification until the misuse is rectified.
If corrective action is not taken within a reasonable timeframe, certification will be withdrawn.
9.2 Negligent or Fraudulent Misuse
Where misuse is found to be knowing, careless, or repeated, FICPL reserves the right to:
- Withdraw certification, together with publication of the reason for withdrawal.
- Take legal action for trademark infringement or breach of contract.
- Report the non-conformity to NABCB or the relevant accreditation body.
Repeated innocent misuse will be treated as negligent misuse.
10. Contractual Obligation
10.1 Certification Mark Usage Obligations
Correct use of the FICPL Certification Mark and the associated accreditation body marks is a contractual obligation that the client undertakes to comply with as per the agreement signed with FICPL.
10.2 Control and Proper Use of Marks
Clients' use of all marks governed by this document will be reviewed at all surveillance and recertification audits to ensure compliance with the requirements set out herein.
10.3Certification Mark Compliance Requirements
Any misuse identified during an audit shall be raised as a non-conformity and included in the relevant audit report.
11. Certification Mark Reference
FICPL Certification Mark ISO-[Standard Year] | FICPL-[Certificate No.]
Where [Certificate No.] is the unique registration number issued to the client.
NABCB Accreditation Symbol (to be used only with the FICPL Certification Mark) NABCB Accreditation No. [XX000] displayed beneath the symbol.
Where [XX000] is the alphanumeric accreditation number granted by NABCB to FICPL.
For master artwork files or written guidance on any aspect of this document, please contact:
Quality and Compliance Department, First Wave International Certifications Pvt. Ltd.
info@firstwavecert.com | +91 62820 07077 | wwww.firstwavecert.com
Effective Date
08th of July 2025
Next Review Date
07th of July 2026
Document Owner
Chief Executive Officer
Review Authority
Board of Directors
This document supersedes all previous versions. All personnel must ensure they are working with the most current version of this policy.
