Promoting Your Orion Certification
Why Promote Your Certification?
Achieving certification demonstrates your organization’s commitment to quality, consistency, accountability, and continual improvement. Certification can help differentiate your business from competitors and provide confidence to customers, regulators, and other interested parties.
Organizations are encouraged to communicate their certification status in a manner that is accurate, clear, and in compliance with Orion and applicable accreditation requirements. Certification marks, statements, and claims shall not be used in any way that could bring Orion, the certification program, or the accreditation system into disrepute or diminish public trust in the certification process.
Management System Certifications (e.g ISO 9001 / 14001 / 45001 / 27001 / 42001)
General Rules
Management System Certification applies to the organization’s management system, not the product itself.
Organizations may only promote or make claims regarding their certification after certification has been granted and the official certificate has been issued. Any reference to certification prior to receiving the certificate is prohibited. All certification claims must be truthful, accurate, and not misleading.
All promotional material must accurately reflect the information shown on the current certificate, including:
- Legal company name
- Certified location
- Standard(s)
- Scope of certification
- Certification body
Multi-Standard or Multi-Site Certifications:
Whenever the scope of certification changes, promotional materials must be updated immediately.
The recommended practice is to include a direct link to the current certificate so interested parties can easily verify the certification scope.
Logo Use - Important Requirements
Certified organizations may use Orion-approved logos and certification marks in accordance with this policy.
- Only logos supplied by Orion may be used.
- Logos must not be altered, distorted, stretched, recoloured, or modified.
- Logos may be resized, but the proportions must remain unchanged.
- The certification body and certified standard must be clearly identified.
Sample Orion Logos
Format 1 – Round format
Format 2 – Round with Certified at bottom
Format 3 – Wide Label Format
Format 4 – Email Signature Example
<<Name>>
<<Title>>
Acceptable Uses
Organizations may use the Orion logo and certification information on:
- Company websites
- Marketing brochures
- Corporate presentations
- Trade show displays
- Email signatures (Suggested example based on promotional use)
- General advertising and promotional materials
Wherever possible, the logos should link to one of the following:
- Their Orion-issued certificate
- The Orion website
- The IAF Certification Database (for accredited certifications)
The Logo Must Not
- Suggest that a product is certified.
- Be placed directly on products in a manner that implies product certification.
- Be used on laboratory, calibration, inspection, or test reports or certificates.
Example Statement for Packaging
Manufactured in a facility certified to ISO 9001 by Orion Assessment Services.
This statement should also clearly identify:
- The certified organization
- The management system standard
- Orion as the certification body
Prohibited Uses
The following are not permitted:
| Prohibited Activity | Reason |
|---|---|
| Modifying the Orion logo | Logos must remain unchanged. |
| Claiming products are certified when only the management system is certified | Can be misleading. |
| Using the Accreditation Body logo | Not permitted. |
| Using the IAF logo in promotional material | Not permitted. |
| Using the official ISO logo without written permission from ISO | Prohibited unless authorized by ISO. |
| Implying activities outside the certified scope are certified | Misleading representation. |
Suspension, Withdrawal, or Termination
If certification is suspended, withdrawn, or terminated.
- All use of Orion certification logos must stop immediately.
- Certificates must be removed from websites and promotional materials.
- Interested parties must be informed when appropriate.
Failure to remove inaccurate certification claims may result in Orion publishing notice of the false claim and may lead to legal action. For additional information refer to our Suspension and Withdrawal overview.
ANSI BIFMA e3 Standard
Product Certification (ANSI/BIFMA LEVEL® Program)
Use of the LEVEL® Certification Mark
Organizations with products certified under the ANSI/BIFMA LEVEL® program are authorized to publicize the fact that those specific products have achieved certification. The LEVEL® certification mark may be used only in connection with products that are currently certified.
Approved Uses
The LEVEL® certification mark may be used in:
- Product brochures and catalogues
- Product data sheets
- Product webpages
- Product advertisements
- Promotional materials distributed by:
- The certified organization
- Authorized wholesalers
- Authorized distributors
- Authorized retailers
Sample LEVEL® Logo Placement
Example 1 – Product Datasheet
EcoTask Office Chair
Certified to ANSI/BIFMA LEVEL® 2
Example 2 – Product Website
EcoTask Office Chair
This product has been independently certified to the ANSI/BIFMA LEVEL® sustainability standard.
Example 3 – Product Catalogue
| Product | Certification Status |
|---|---|
| EcoTask Office Chair | LEVEL® 2 Certified |
| WorkSmart Desk | LEVEL® 1 Certified |
Prohibited Uses
The LEVEL® certification mark shall not be used:
- To imply that all products manufactured by the organization are LEVEL certified.
- To imply that the entire organization is LEVEL certified.
- On products that are not covered by a current certification.
- In a way that could mislead customers regarding the scope of certification.
- To suggest endorsement, approval, sponsorship, or recommendation of the organization by BIFMA.
- To suggest endorsement, approval, sponsorship, or recommendation of a product by BIFMA.
Maintaining Accurate Claims
All promotional material must:
- Clearly identify the certified product.
- Accurately reflect the certification level shown on the current certificate.
- Be truthful, accurate, and not misleading.
- Relate only to products currently covered by the certification.
Suspension, Withdrawal, or Expiration of Certification
If certification expires, is suspended, or is withdrawn:
- The LEVEL® certification mark must be removed from all promotional material related to the affected product.
- References to certification shall immediately cease.
- Marketing materials must be updated to reflect the current certification status.
Other Requirements Based Standards (e.g ISO 17100 / 18587 / ASTM F3120 / 2575)
General Rules for Using Certification Logos
The use of the Orion certification logo is permitted only after certification has been granted by Orion. Certified organizations may use Orion-approved logos and certification marks in accordance with this policy.
Important Requirements
- Only logos supplied by Orion may be used.
- Logos must not be altered, distorted, stretched, recoloured, or modified.
- Logos may be resized, but the proportions must remain unchanged.
- Certification claims must always be truthful, accurate, and not misleading.
- The certification body and certified standard must be clearly identified.
Sample Orion Logos
To offer you a variety, our logos are available in three formats.
Format 1 – Round format
Format 2 – Round with Certified at bottom
Format 3 – Wide Label Format
Format 4 – Email Signature Example
Certified to ISO ASTM F2575
Certified by Orion Assessment Services
Contact Orion if you require current logo files or approved artwork.
Acceptable Uses
Organizations may use the Orion logo and certification information on:
- Company websites
- Marketing brochures
- Corporate presentations
- Trade show displays
- Email signatures (Suggested example based on promotional use)
- General advertising and promotional materials
- Their Orion-issued certificate
- The Orion website
The Logo Must Not
- Suggest that a product is certified.
- Be placed directly on products in a manner that implies product certification.
- Be used on laboratory, calibration, inspection, or test reports or certificates.
Example Statement for Packaging
An ISO 17100 certified company by Orion Assessment Services.
This statement should also clearly identify:
- The certified organization
- The management system standard
- Orion as the certification body
Prohibited Uses
The following are not permitted:
| Prohibited Activity | Reason |
|---|---|
| Modifying the Orion logo | Logos must remain unchanged. |
| Claiming products (e.g. translations) are certified when only the process to meet the standards requirements is certified | Can be misleading. |
| Using the official ISO logo without written permission from ISO | Prohibited unless authorized by ISO. |
| Implying activities outside the certified scope are certified | Misleading representation. |
Maintaining Accurate Certification Claims
All promotional material must accurately reflect the information shown on the current certificate, including:
- Legal company name
- Certified location(s)
- Standard(s)
- Scope of certification
- Certification body
Whenever the scope of certification changes, promotional materials must be updated immediately.
The recommended practice is to include a direct link to the current certificate so interested parties can easily verify the certification scope.
Suspension, Withdrawal, or Termination
If certification is suspended, withdrawn, or terminated:
- All use of Orion certification logos must stop immediately.
- Certificates must be removed from websites and promotional materials.
- Interested parties must be informed when appropriate.
Failure to remove inaccurate certification claims may result in Orion publishing notice of the false claim and may lead to legal action.
Questions?
If you need approved logo files, guidance on logo usage, or assistance reviewing promotional material before publication, please contact Orion Assessment Services.
Guidance for Certified Clients Creating Their Own Certification Promotion Logo
Certified organizations may wish to create their own logo, badge, or graphic to promote their management system certification. This guidance outlines the conditions under which such promotional logos may be used.
General Principle
Organizations may create and use their own promotional logo or badge to communicate that they hold a valid certification. However, the logo must not mislead customers, regulators, or the public regarding the nature, scope, or status of the certification. References to certification and the use of certification marks are subject to certification body controls.
Permitted Use
Organizations may:
- Create a logo or badge incorporating their own company branding.
- State that the organization is certified to a specific management system standard.
- Use the logo on websites, brochures, proposals, presentations, email signatures, and other promotional materials.
- Include the certified standard designation, for example:
- ISO 9001 Certified
- ISO 14001 Certified
- ISO/IEC 27001 Certified
- ISO 45001 Certified
Conditions
Any client-created certification logo shall:
1. Clearly identify the certified organization.
2. Refer only to certifications that are currently valid.
3. Accurately represent the scope of certification.
4. Not imply that products, services, or individual persons are certified unless such certification actually exists.
5. Not be false, misleading, or likely to create confusion regarding the certification status of the organization.
Prohibited Use
A client-created certification logo shall not:
- Incorporate, modify, imitate, or closely resemble the logo of the certification body.
- Incorporate, modify, imitate, or closely resemble the logo, symbol, or mark of an accreditation body.
- Create the impression that the organization is itself a certification body or accreditation body.
- State or imply accreditation unless specifically authorized.
- Be used after certification has been suspended, withdrawn, expired, or reduced in scope.
- Be used in a manner that misrepresents the certified scope.
Examples:
Acceptable
- "ABC Manufacturing Inc. - ISO 9001 Certified"
- A company-designed badge containing:
- Company logo
- Standard reference (e.g., ISO 14001)
- Text stating "Certified Management System"
- Marketing material stating: "ABC Manufacturing Inc. operates a management system certified to ISO 9001."
Not Acceptable
- A logo that copies or closely resembles the certification body's logo.
- A logo that includes an accreditation symbol without authorization.
- Claims such as:
- "ISO Certified Products"
- "Accredited Company"
- "Government Approved ISO Organization"
Scope of Certification
All certification claims and promotional logos must relate only to the activities, products, services, and locations included within the certified scope.
Organizations should ensure that customers can easily understand what is certified and what is not certified.
Approval Recommendation
Before publishing a newly created certification logo or badge, organizations are encouraged to submit the artwork to their certification body for review to help ensure compliance with certification and accreditation requirements.