释义 |
- Certification marks distinguished from other marks
- Regulations
- Examples
- International treaties and certification marks
- Cases
- See also
- References
- External links
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2013}}{{Refimprove|date=September 2010}}A certification mark (or conformity mark) on a commercial product indicates the existence of an accepted product standard or regulation and a claim that the manufacturer has verified compliance with those standards or regulations. The specific specification, test methods, and frequency of testing are published by the standards organization. Certification listing does not necessarily guarantee fitness for use. Certification marks distinguished from other marks Certification marks differ from collective trade marks. Collective trade marks may be used by particular members of the organization that owns them, while certification marks are the only evidence of the existence of follow-up agreements between manufacturers and nationally accredited testing and certification organizations. In some occasions, the certification organization will charge for the use of their labels and will require that the manufacturer reports the exact production quantities.{{citation needed|date=February 2013}} In this case, the certification organization can be seen to earn a commission from sales of products under their follow-up regimes. In return, the use of the certification marks enables the product sales in the first place. Certification is often mistakenly referred to as an approval, which is not true. Organizations such as Underwriters Laboratories, TUV Rheinland, NTA Inc, and CSA International will test the products according to standard procedures, and "list" them as compliant to that standard. They do not approve anything except the use of the mark to show that a product has been certified for compliance with such specific standard. Thus, for instance, a product certification mark for a fire door or for a spray fireproofing product, does not signify its universal acceptance for use within a building. Approvals are up to the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), such as a municipal building inspector or fire prevention officer. Conversely, FM Global does use the term "Approvals" for its certification listings, which are intended for use of the products within buildings that are insured by FM Global. The German accreditor Deutsches Institut für Bautechnik (DIBt)[1] issues "Approvals" for systems. All of these listed products must conform to listing and approval use and compliance. For various reasons, usually relating to technical issues, certification marks are difficult to register, especially in relation to services. One practical workaround for trademark owners is to register the mark as an ordinary trademark in relation to quality control and similar services. Certification marks can be owned by independent companies absolutely unrelated in ownership to the companies, offering goods or rendering services under the particular certification mark. Regulations Trademark laws in countries, such as the United States,[2] Australia[3] and others that provide for the filing of applications to register certificate marks also usually require the submission of regulations, which define a number of issues,{{citation needed|date=February 2013}} including: - People authorized to use the certification mark
- Characteristics that the certification mark certifies
- How the certification or standards tests these characteristics and supervises use of the mark
- What the dispute resolution procedures are
The main purpose of the regulations is to protect consumers against misleading practices.{{citation needed|date=February 2013}} Examples Primary jurisdiction | Body/mark | Image |
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International - The Asthma & Allergy Friendly Certification Mark allows consumers to identify products that have been put through and passed standardised testing that is relevant for those suffering from asthma and allergies. Allergy Standards[4] operates the Certification Program internationally.
- International Fairtrade Certification Mark
- The Bureau Veritas certification mark, used to indicate, for example, sea-worthiness of ships.
- The SGS Product Safety Mark is used to prove that the product fulfills all relevant product safety requirements applicable in the destination market.
| | {{AUS}}{{NZL}} | - The Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand (JAC ANZ), which has recognised 67 conformity assessment bodies including:
- The AS/NZS accreditation of Standards Australia and Standards New Zealand.
- The RCM is the compliance mark for all applicable Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) regulatory arrangements, including all technical and record-keeping requirements.
- The Woolmark certification{{citation needed|date=January 2012}} mark, used to identify goods that contain wool.
| | {{BEL}}- CEBEC is a private certification mark used in Belgium
| CEBEC | {{CAN}}- The CSA mark used by the Canadian Standards Association
- The Asthma & Allergy Friendly Certification Mark is operated in Canada by Allergy Standards[5] in partnership with Asthma Canada.
| | {{CHN}}- The China Compulsory Certificate mark used by the Chinese.
| | Eurasian Customs Union- The Eurasian Conformity mark mark used by the Eurasian Customs Union
| | {{EUR}}- The CE mark meaning "European Conformity", formerly EC mark is a mandatory conformity mark for products placed on the market in the European Economic Area (EEA). With the CE marking on a product the manufacturer ensures that the product conforms with the essential requirements of the applicable EC directives.
| | {{FRA}} - The "Champagne" certification mark, used to indicate goods that have an appellation of origin of the Champagne region in France.
| | {{GER}} - TÜV marks, used by private safety organizations called Technischer Überwachungsverein in Germany
| | {{IND}} - Certification marks in India including:
- ISI mark indicating conforming to Indian Standards (as specified)
| | {{JAP}} - Japanese Industrial Standards symbol (〄, U+3004)
| | {{MEX}} - The NOM logo serves a similar purpose for products on the market in Mexico.
| | {{NOR}}- Norges Elektriske Materiellkontroll (NEMKO), Norway NEMKO
| {{CIS}} - State Quality Mark of the USSR
- GOST
- Eurasian Conformity mark
| | {{SWE}} - Electrical Testing Laboratory, Sweden ETL SEMKO
| | Taiwan}}- Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection marks such as the Registration of Product Certification
| | {{UKR}} - DSTU, State Standard of Ukraine is regulated by State Committee for Technical Regulation and Consumer Policy
| | {{GBR}} - Kite Mark is a British Standard under BSI Group.
- The LPCB (Loss Prevention Certification Board) mark by BRE Global (part of the Building Research Establishment group) independently certificates fire and security products, which are then listed in the Red Book.
| | {{USA}} - The FCC Declaration of Conformity is a mandatory conformity mark for electronic equipment manufactured or sold in the United States. This marking certifies that the product meets standards of the Federal Communications Commission regarding electromagnetic interference.
- The National Testing Agency (NTA Inc) mark allows consumers to identify certified products in the United States building industry.
- QAI Laboratories (QAI) certification mark, commonly used on building products, plumbing, and electrical products.
- Underwriters Laboratories holds a service mark on the phrase "UL Listed", and allows manufacturers of electrical and other safety equipment to use the UL mark only if they are under follow-up agreement by UL. This lets consumers identify products that meet quality criteria set by a company other than the manufacturer.
- The "Idaho" and "Grown in Idaho" certification marks, used by Idaho Potato Commission to indicate potatoes grown in the State of Idaho in the United States of America.
- The hechsher of the Orthodox Union indicating conformity Judaism's Halakha standards, a Kosher certification agency.
- Energy Star for energy efficient consumer products originating in the USA
- The Asthma & Allergy Friendly Certification Mark is operated in the USA by [https://www.allergystandards.com Allergy Standards] in partnership with the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.
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International treaties and certification marks Many jurisdictions have been required to amend their trade mark legislation to accommodate protection of certification marks under the TRIPs treaty. Some jurisdictions recognise certification marks from other jurisdictions. This means good manufactured in one country may need not go through certification in another. One example is the European Union recognition of Australia and New Zealand marks based on an International treaty.[6] Cases Cases involving certification marks include: - Re Legal Aid Board's Trade Mark Application (unreported 3 October 2000, UK CA)
- the Sea Island Cotton case [1989]RPC 87
See also- Certification listing
- Certification marks in India
- Collective trade marks
- Fire protection
- Hallmark
- Listing and approval use and compliance
- Passive fire protection
- Product certification
- Trademark
References 1. ^{{cite web|url=http://www.dibt.de/|title=DIBt - Deutsches Institut für Bautechnik|publisher=}} 2. ^{{Cite web|url=http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/sct/en/comments/pdf/sct21/cert_us.pdf|title=Submission of the United States of America Certification and Collective Marks Formalities|last=|first=|date=February 2009|website=World Intellectual Property Organisation|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=June 13, 2017}} 3. ^{{Cite web|url=https://www.accc.gov.au/business/applying-for-exemptions/certification-trade-marks|title=Certification trade marks|last=|first=|date=|website=Australian Competition and Consumer Commission|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=June 13, 2017}} 4. ^[https://www.allergystandards.com "Allergy Standards"]. allergystandards.com Allergy Standards. 5. ^[https://www.allergystandards.com "Allergy Standards"]. allergystandards.com Allergy Standards. 6. ^“Agreement on Mutual Recognition in relation to Conformity Assessment, Certificates and Markings between Australia and the European Community ATS 2 of 1999“. Australasian Legal Information Institute, Australian Treaties Library. Retrieved on 15 April 2017.
External links {{Commons category|Certification labels}}- List of Standard Certification Marks - description of the most common standard certification marks
- Risknowlogy Certification Marks - certification marks for risk, reliability, safety and SIL related products, solutions, services, organisations and professionals
{{Trademark law}}{{Authority control}}{{DEFAULTSORT:Certification Mark}} 3 : Certification marks|Standards|Trademark law |