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Using certification logos: what are the rules?

When you have obtained the certificate, of course you would like to share this with the outside world. This can be done by using certification logos. These logos can be used on, for example, correspondence, advertisements, promotional materials, walls, doors, windows, exhibition stands and social media. Please note, the expression may not be misleading and may not be applied to products.

Certification logos are issued when the initial certification audit has been successfully completed. The validity period of the logos is linked to the validity period of the certificate that is issued.

When Brand Compliance is accredited by the Accreditation Council (RvA) for the relevant standard for which the certification has been performed, the certification logos will be supplemented with the RvA accreditation mark. This shows that the certification has been performed under accreditation.

What rules apply when using a certification logo? #

There are several rules associated with how a Brand Compliance certification logo should be used:

  • Black or in color, but always on a white background;
  • Is there no option other than a colored background? Then the logo must be white (we supply the white logo on a transparent background);
  • The logo must be at least 50 mm wide;
  • All numbers and letters in the logo must be legible;
  • When enlarging the logo, the space between the characters should be increased proportionally;
  • The RvA accreditation mark may only be used if Brand Compliance has a valid accreditation for the relevant standard.

Examples of valid Brand Compliance certification logos:

Example of a valid Brand Compliance certification logo for ISO 9001

Examples of logo variations that are not allowed:

Example of prohibited use of a Brand Compliance certification logo Example of a prohibited modification to a Brand Compliance certification logo

What rules apply when using a NEN logo? #

Additional rules apply to NEN logos. For example, a NEN logo may only be used if the name and logo of the certified organization are also used and the NEN logo may not be more conspicuous than the logo of the organization.

Can a certified organization use the ISO logo? #

Note: ISO only allows the use of an ISO logo by ISO itself, ISO members and ISO technical committees. This means that an organization that is certified for an ISO standard by a certification body, such as Brand Compliance, may not use ISO logos to show that it is certified. As written earlier in this blog, the Brand Compliance certification logos can be used, which are specially intended for that.

Thus, the logos below cannot be used to demonstrate certification:

ISO logos that may not be used to demonstrate certification

When is the use of certification logos checked? #

During the surveillance audits and recertification audit, the auditor will check the use of logos. This blog can serve to verify whether logos are used correctly.

Additional questions about the use of certification logos? More information can be found in our Certification Regulations, and our marketing department is available to provide further information: marketing@brandcompliance.com.