Procedure for Instruction for Use of Reference to PRNS Logo and Accreditation

Procedure for Instruction for Use of Reference to PRNS Logo and Accreditation

Purpose:

The purpose of this procedure is to ensure and authorize the correct use of PRNS Logo and accreditation mark which is a vital aspect in maintaining the integrity and credibility of both Certification Body and Accreditation Body. This procedure deals with control over use and misuse of PRNS Logo and accreditation body mark. This procedure also prevents the unauthorized usage of IAF MLA MARK which is given to clients for accreditation-QMS/MD-QMS Certificates

Scope:

To make clients aware of policy and regulations governing the use of Logo and marks and monitor that use. In addition, it assists in providing authoritative and clear advice to clients on their use.

It further explains how requests for variations to the use of the Logo and marks are managed and gives the procedure for dealing with the incidence of unauthorized usage.

To make clients aware of rules governing management system certification mark that it authorizes certified clients to use; these rules shall ensure, among other things, traceability back to PRNS. There shall be no ambiguity, in the mark or accompanying text, as to what has been certified and for which PRNS has granted the certification. This mark shall not be used on a product or product packaging or in any other way that may be interpreted as denoting product conformity.

PRNS has rules governing the use of any statement on product packaging or in accompany      information that the certified client has a certified management system.  Product packaging is considered as that which can be removed without the product disintegrating or being damaged. Accompanying information is considered as separately available or easily detachable. Type labels or identification plates are considered as part of the product. The statement shall in no way imply that the product, process, or service is certified by this means.

The statement shall include reference to: -

• identification (g., brand or name) of the certified client.
• the type of management system (g., QMS / MD-QMS) and the applicable standard.
• the issuing of the certificate

 

Procedure:

Related Documents: -

All PRNS clients are issued with a copy of

• Contract Terms & Scheme for Registration or requested to view at website prnsglobal.org.
• The document 'PRNS Registered Logo Display Conditions and Accreditation mark Display.

 

General Condition of use of Logo and Certificates:

• The PRNS shall have rules governing any management system certification mark that it authorizes certified clients to use. These rules shall ensure, among other things, traceability back to the PRNS. There shall be no ambiguity, in the mark or accompanying text, as to what has been certified and which PRNS has granted the certification.
• The client is authorized to use the PRNS ’s mark or its logo in advertising material and while using this mark or logo the client shall ensure that it: -

1. 1. Conforms to requirements of PRNS when making reference to its certification body’s status in communication media such as Internet, brochures or advertising or other documents.
   2. Does not make or permit any misleading statement regarding PRNS.
   3. Does not use or permit the use of the certification document or any part thereof in a misleading manner.
   4. Upon suspension or withdrawal of its certification, discontinues its use of all advertising matter that contains a reference to certification, as directed by conforms to requirements of PRNS.
   5. Amends all advertising material when the scope of certification has been reduced.
   6. Shall not use the certification information in a manner to imply that the product or service is certified. The PRNS ’s mark or logo shall not be used on a product or product packaging as this could be interpreted as denoting product conformity.
   7. The logos shall also not be applied to laboratory test, calibration or inspection reports or any form of certificates issued by educational institutions as such reports/ certificates are deemed to be products in this context.
   8. Does not imply that PRNS ’s mark/ logo applies to activities that are outside the scope of its certification.
   9. Shall not use the PRNS ’s mark/ logo in such a manner that would bring PRNS and /or the certification system into disrepute and lose public trust.
   10. PRNS ’s mark/ logo shall not be applied on visiting cards

• Whenever the PRNS logo is to be used it shall be proportioned along with other marks, so that neither has obvious precedence or prominence over the other and its use is limited to stationery, literature and other written promotional materials.
• The PRNS ’s Logo may be uniformly reduced or enlarged, and the logo should be legible
• The PRNS ’s Logo may be reproduced electronically, provided that the requirements, are met and distortion and /or degradation does not occur
• Whenever a subsidiary belonging to a group has been certified there shall not be any confusion as to which part of the group holds the certification and it shall not imply that the other subsidiaries have been certified
• Where the organization (the client) wishes to make reference to its certification body instead of using the symbols of PRNS, the organization shall use without variation the phrase “Sustainable Stewardship Private Limited”.

 

The PRNS Registered Logo: -

Whilst the Logo are PRNS’s, there are external constraints on their use imposed by ISO 17021 and the IAF MDs. These constraints prevent among others the use of the Logo on test reports, certificates of calibration and certificates of conformity. The reasoning is that use of the Logo in this way may be constructed as indicating certification of the particular product/service.

This may only used by clients with a valid certification. Allowed on brochures, websites only if not misleading.

Must not imply product certification unless certified under a product certification scheme.

 

Accreditation Body Mark: -

The use of the mark is specified in regulations issued by accreditation body. Consequently, PRNS cannot sanction any use of an accreditation body logo other than as specified. This is, for example, the reason that clients cannot use the logo on vehicles or cannot be used on products or packaging.

This will be used only when certification has been granted under an accredited scope.

• Basic Restrictions:

Logos must not be altered it means not colour, shape or wording and Not to be used in a misleading context.

• Instruction to clients
  • A "Logo Usage Guidelines Document" is provided with every certificate.
  • Clients must sign an agreement for correct usage.
  • Misuse or violations may result immediate withdrawal of the offending literature by the client or Suspension of approval (certification) until misuse is rectified.
  • If action is not taken to rectify the misuse within 10 days, the approval will be withdrawn.

• Information:

PRNS accredited scopes in relation to which the mark can be used.  The requirements for the use of the mark of the accreditation body are available as above.

• Alternative uses of the PRNS Logo and the accreditation mark:

A client may seek information from Director Operation.

• Incorrect use of Logo and marks by Clients:

Where a client is found to be incorrectly using a PRNS Logo and or an accreditation logo by:

The Assessment Personnel during assessment visits. The Assessment Personnel must advise the client and require, confirm and record in the assessment report that corrective action is taken. The Assessment Personnel may seek advice from the Director Operation on the use and the validity of the corrective action. 

• Complaint from an external person or body:

The complaint is managed in accordance with procedure Complaints about our clients. 

• An Accreditation Body complaint:

Complaints from accreditation bodies on use of Logo and marks are directed to the Director Operation. The complaint is entered into the complaints system.

The complaints procedure ensures the Director Operation is made aware of the misuse, actions the matter with the client and requires corrective action to rectify the situation. The corrective action is recorded in the management of the complaint and notified to the Director Operation who advises the accreditation body of the action taken and that the complaint is resolved.

• Unauthorized Use:-

Where an incidence of unauthorized use of a PRNS Logo comes to the attention of PRNS through a complaint or other channels the matter is recorded and processed as a complaint. 

• Verification of Accreditation Mark and PRNS logo:

When PRNS assessors verify at any type of assessment or by any other means like web display, social media etc… in which the client is misusing the Accreditation Mark and PRNS Logo or not meeting the requirements of 'PRNS Registered Logo Display Conditions and Accreditation mark Display Conditions’ then the client shall be warned to remove misuse of logo or otherwise the certification may be suspended. A written suspension notice shall be issued to the client. Upon suspension if the organisation does not resolve the root cause of suspension or if does not pass the special assessment or Re-assessment in that event the certification will get withdrawn.

Even after sending the withdrawal letter, if client continues the misuse of the Accreditation Mark and PRNS Logo then PRNS will send the legal notice against the client to safeguard the use of the Accreditation Mark and PRNS Logo.

 

Legally Enforceable Arrangements with Certified Clients

• Conforms to the requirements of the PRNS when making reference to its certification status in communication media such as the internet, brochures or advertising, or other documents
• Does not make or permit any misleading statement regarding its certification.
• Does not use or permit the use of a certification document or any part thereof in a misleading manner
• Upon withdrawal of its certification, discontinues its use of all advertising matter that contains a reference to certification, as directed by the certification body
• Amends all advertising matter when the scope of certification has been reduced
• Does not allow reference to its management system certification to be used in such a way as to imply that the PRNS certifies a product (including service) or process
• Does not imply that the certification applies to activities and sites that are outside the scope of certification
• Does not use its certification in such a manner that would bring the certification body and/or certification system into disrepute and lose public trust.

 

Contractual Obligation

• Correct use of PRNS certification is a contractual obligation that the client undertakes to comply with as per the agreement signed with PRNS
• Where the PRNS mark has been used by the client, their use is to be reviewed at all surveillance and re-certification audits to ensure that their use is correct and in accordance with the requirements identified in this document.
• Any misuse of the logo shall be brought to the attention of the client and included in the surveillance or the re-certification audit reports.
• It is likely that in some cases the client may have to update the logos, and they still may have stationery and brochures showing the previously issued PRNS logos. Under such circumstances, it is permissible for the client to continue use of the previously issued logo on the understanding that the new logos must be used in the next printing.

Doc. No.: PRNS-P-025
Rev No.:01
Effective Dt: 10-05-2025