Accreditation & ILAC/IAF Mark Rules

Accreditation mark rulebook

• Only accredited bodies may use the national accreditation mark, strictly for the scopes shown in their registry record.
• Graphic design standards (colours, minimum size, clear space), permitted placements (certificates, reports, letterheads, websites) and the mandatory accompanying accreditation number are defined in the Mark Rulebook published in the Document Library.

Combined mark rules

• The national mark may be combined with the ILAC MRA and/or IAF MLA marks only where the scope is covered by the respective mutual recognition arrangement and only in the arrangement’s prescribed form.
• Combined-mark use must reflect the current signatory status published on the International Recognition page.

Misuse & counterfeit penalties

• Unauthorised use, use for non-accredited scopes, or forgery of the mark leads to demands for correction, public notice of misuse (“naming and shaming”) per the rules, withdrawal of accreditation and, where applicable, legal action.
• Suspected misuse can be reported through the fake certificate report form.

Marketing claim limits

• Accreditation covers activities (tests, calibrations, inspections, certifications) — never the products themselves; claims such as “our products are accredited” are prohibited.
• Claims must not imply that accreditation guarantees product quality or that the Bureau endorses the CAB.