1.1 General
Averum is seeking to achieve status from ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) as an accredited ISO/IEC 17021-1 Management Systems Certification Body. As a component of these efforts, Averum complies with PR 1018, which is ANAB’s policy on the use of ANAB accreditation symbols and claims to accreditation status.
In the event Averum achieves this status, Averum clients shall not claim any reference to or usage of the ANAB accreditation symbols and claims of accreditation status. These credentials are separate from the certifications or credentials authorized by Averum.
Clients
Averum’s rules provide requirements associated with use of marks to provide authorized, certified clients assistance in determining the appropriate use of credentials and associated logos. These will assist certified clients authorized to do so with the ability to demonstrate no ambiguity, in the mark or accompanying text, as to what has been certified and which certification body has granted the certification.
Averum will periodically monitor use of marks to proactively detect and assist in the prevention, detection, and remediation of scenarios that could be mark misuse. The most updated guidance tied to use of marks will be made available on Averum’s website for user reference. Averum will review policies, procedures, and approach to addressing use of marks, on an annual basis.
The linked file represents the Averum logo permitted for use by certified clients in referencing applicable credentials. The logo must be accompanied by clear, specific, and appropriate verbiage to accurately represent applicable, authorized certification. The logo usage must align with requirements set forth within this policy.
Averum’s rules governing its management system certification mark that it authorizes certified clients to use are detailed as follows:
- 1.1.1 Credentials. A certified client must hold valid credentials from Averum for the applicable, authorized certification.
- 1.1.2 Scope of Certification. Use of Averum’s logo should only be used in instances accompanied by specific, authorized information limited to the specific scope of certification granted to the certified client.
- 1.1.3 Proper Authorization. Certified clients should obtain written authorization from the accreditation body to use the mark as demonstrated by Averum’s certification presented upon authorization and approval for certified client status.
- 1.1.4 Termination of Use. In case of certified client credential suspension, withdrawal, or expiration, the client must adhere to expectations set forth by Averum to immediately cease the use of the mark and remove it from all relevant materials.
- 1.1.5 Accurate Representation. The mark should be used in a manner that accurately represents the certification status and the organization’s compliance with their participation in Averum. It should not be used in a misleading or deceptive way.
- 1.1.6 Proper Display. The mark or references to certification credentials should be displayed prominently on relevant documentation. Usage of the mark should be clearly defined as to which sites, program, and scope applicable and authorized as demonstrated Averum’s certification to certified client. There should be no misleading information that may indicate or imply the certified client has credentials for anything aside from that which is authorized by applicable certification.
- 1.1.7 Compliance with Guidelines. Certified clients must adhere to specific guidelines provided by Averum regarding the use of the mark.
- 1.1.8 Prohibited Use. Use of marks is not permitted to laboratory test, calibration, inspection reports, or certificates.
- 1.1.9 Maintenance of Certification. Continuation of use of mark shall be accompanied by ongoing maintenance and compliance with expectations set forth by requirements of applicable certification credentials.
- 1.1.10 Notification of Changes. Any changes to the certified client’s ability to successfully comply with certification credentials and associated requirements or its certified client status, scope, or other relevant information should be promptly communicated to Averum and any affected stakeholders.
- 1.1.11 Product Marks. Averum requires the following for use on product packaging or in accompanying information that indicates a 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 (e.g. brand or name) of the certified client; the type of management system (e.g. quality, environment) and the applicable standard; the certification body (Averum) issuing the certificate.
- 1.2 Mark Misuse
In the event of mark misuse, the following actions may be taken:
- 1.2.1 Averum may conduct an investigation to gather evidence and determine the extent of the mark misuse. This may involve reviewing relevant documentation, communication records, or conducting interviews with the parties involved.
- 1.2.2 Averum will reach out to the organization or individual responsible for the mark misuse and notify them of the violation. An immediate request for cessation of the unauthorized use of the mark will be communicated.
- 1.2.3 If the mark misuse has caused confusion or misinformation, Averum will take necessary steps to clarify the situation and minimize any potential harm. This may involve issuing corrective statements or notices to affected parties, emphasizing the accurate use of the mark.
- 1.2.4 If necessary, Averum may communicate the instance of misuse as a communication to other program users, clients, and/or certified clients for awareness purposes and an opportunity to provide each program user, client, and/or certified client a specific scenario to self-assess existing usage within their own organization related to Averum and applicable program representation(s).
Leading Harvest Program Standard
The following guidance is for Leading Harvest Farmland Management Standard program users, and outlines expectations for Averum clients who are either seeking to achieve certification credentials from Averum or have been authorized as certified clients by Averum aligned with applicable program requirements.
1.3 Off-Product Mark
Averum has an off-product mark to show participation in the program and to promote the program. Averum owns all rights, title, and interest in the off-product mark, and exercises legitimate control over its use.
The off-product mark may only be used by authorized, certified clients in good standing whose operations are authorized for its use by Averum as demonstrated by current certification credentials. Any express or implied claim that a certified client is in conformance with Averum must be substantiated by a current, valid certification as authorized by Averum.
The Averum off-product mark and messages/claims cannot be used on any product or product labels. The mark shall not be used in any other way that may be interpreted as denoting product conformity.
- 1.4 Public Claims and Mark Use *1
- 1.4.1 Full Participant Claims and Mark Use. A program user who wishes to make a public claim regarding their participation in Leading Harvest must have successfully completed certification to the Leading Harvest Farmland Management Standard by a recognized accredited certification body and submit a public audit summary report which will be posted to the Leading Harvest website. The contents of the audit report are detailed in Section V, Communications and Reporting. The messages or claims that may be used with the Leading Harvest off-product mark are outlined in the Leading Harvest Brand Guidelines in Section IV. A Program User that has enrolled all their farmland acres in the Leading Harvest Farmland Management Standard may use the Leading Harvest off-product mark and make the following public claim before achieving certification: 100% of Farmland Acres Enrolled
In addition, a program user may use the Leading Harvest off-product mark and make the following public claim as farmland acres are certified to the Leading Harvest Farmland Management Standard 2020:
100% of Farmland Acres Enrolled and XX% of Farmland Certified
- 1.4.2 Partial Participant Claims and Mark Use. A Program User who wishes to make a public claim regarding their participation status must have successfully completed partial certification to the Leading Harvest Farmland Management Standard by a recognized accredited certification body and submit a public audit summary report which will be posted to the Leading Harvest website. The contents of the public audit report are detailed in Section V, Communications and Reporting. The public claim that may be used with the Leading Harvest off-product mark is limited to the following until all the Program User’s farmland acres are enrolled and certified:
XX% of Farmland Acres Enrolled and XX% Farmland Acres Certified
- 1.4.3 Program Supporter Claims and Mark Use. Organizations that are formally recognized by Leading Harvest may only use the Averum off-product mark and the following tagline associated with the mark:
Proud Supporter of Leading Harvest
- 1.5 Private Claims and Mark Use *2
Program Users can make private, business to business, claims regarding their participation in Leading Harvest.
Full Participant Claims and Mark Use. A Program User who wishes to make a private claim regarding their participation in Leading Harvest must have successfully completed certification to the Leading Harvest Farmland Management Standard by a recognized accredited certification body and submit a private audit report to Leading Harvest. The contents of the audit report are detailed in Section V, Communications and Reporting. This report will be confidential and will not be made publicly available by Leading Harvest.
A Program User that has enrolled all their farmland acres in Leading Harvest may use the Leading Harvest off-product mark and make the following private claim before achieving certification:
100% of Farmland Acres Enrolled
In addition, a Program User may use the Leading Harvest off-product mark and make the following private claim as farmland acres are certified to the standard:
100% of Farmland Acres Enrolled and XX% of Farmland Acres Certified
- 1.6 Partial Participant Claims and Mark Use
Partial Participant Claims and Mark Use. A Program User who wishes to make a private claim regarding their participation in Leading Harvest must have successfully completed certification to the Leading Harvest Farmland Management Standard by a recognized accredited certification body and submit an audit report to Leading Harvest. The contents of the private audit report are detailed in Section V, Communications and Reporting. This report will be confidential and will not be made publicly available by Leading Harvest.
- 1.6.1 The private claim that may be used with the Leading Harvest off-product mark is limited to the following until all the Program User’s farmland acres are enrolled and certified:
XX% of Farmland Acres Enrolled and XX% Farmland Acres Certified
The off-product mark must be used as described in the Leading Harvest Brand Guidelines, subject to the limitations detailed in the preceding requirements, as detailed in Section 4 of the Leading Harvest Farmland Management Standard.
*1 A public claim is one that is made to the public such as in a publicly posted sustainability report, press release, blog post, company letterhead, business cards, vehicle signage, etc.
*2 A private business-to-business claim is made to another business such as in an invoice, personal correspondence, sales sheet, etc. and not made public.