Applicants and holders
What does exceeding a standard mean?
A relevant core result must show a demonstrable margin against an applicable European requirement under the published comparison method. All other required baseline checks must be satisfied. A claim without complete evidence, or compliance without a qualifying margin, does not qualify.
Who administers the Award?
IESQ administers and issues the Award in its own capacity. Its Swiss UID is CHE-467.092.061. Institutional registration is separate from product approval, accreditation and EU designation. See the institutional particulars and programme rules.
Who may apply?
Brand owners, manufacturers, importers and authorised representatives worldwide. The application identifies the legal applicant, its authority and the exact model and configuration.
Must we use a particular laboratory?
No. IESQ does not appoint an exclusive laboratory or agent. The actual report issuer, testing scope and competence are checked under the evidence rules; any legally required notified-body task is verified separately.
What must a report contain?
The complete report, all numbered pages and appendices, sample identity, methods, conditions, results, limitations, deviations, revisions and relevant subcontracting. The model and configuration must correspond to the application.
Can an earlier report be used?
Yes, where it remains applicable to the submitted product, methods and required baseline. Product or standard changes, issuer restrictions and adverse information are examined. There is no automatic acceptance based on the report date alone.
What language is used?
Programme documents, decisions, public records and certificates are in English. Supply originals and an English translation where needed for examination. Notarisation or other certification is requested only where justified by a specific authenticity or legal requirement.
What should we prepare?
Product identity, technical specification and photographs, authority, legal documents where applicable, complete reports and scopes, model correspondence, core comparisons and the declarations listed in the evidence checklist.
Does IESQ charge any fees?
No. All IESQ Award services, electronic certificates, mark licences, renewal, changes, complaints and appeals are free. Applicants arrange and pay for external testing, translation and certification services where necessary.
When will we receive a response?
Receipt is immediate. The initial completeness target is five working days. Technical examination and a decision are targeted within 20 working days after the file is complete. Further verification or clarification can extend that period, with a case notice.
How do we answer a clarification request?
Use the private case workspace, respond to each question, identify new versions and preserve the relationship to the originals. The normal response period is 30 calendar days; request a justified extension before the deadline.
What prevents an Award?
An unmet baseline requirement, unsupported margin, incomplete or false evidence, lack of authority, unresolved relevant safety concerns or an attempt to purchase a favourable result. The decision identifies the actual reason.
Can we appeal a negative decision?
Yes. Submit a free appeal within 30 calendar days after receipt, with the decision reference, grounds and evidence. A person not involved in the challenged review or decision handles the appeal.
Can a small or non-European brand apply?
Yes. Country, scale, membership, reputation and sales are not substitutes for evidence and do not create different Award conditions.
Does a recognised brand receive different treatment?
No. The same scope, evidence, baseline and margin requirements apply to every applicant.
Why is a result just below a limit insufficient?
The result must establish a margin under the applicable method, including uncertainty and reporting limits. A nominal difference alone may not establish a supported advantage. Read the worked example in the assessment method.
May we appoint a representative?
Yes, with documented authority. You select and pay for any external adviser. IESQ does not appoint an exclusive agent or receive referral commission, and a representative cannot promise recognition.
What is issued after a favourable decision?
A public Award record, an electronic certificate and a scoped mark licence. All are free. The record states the model, evidence basis, recognised characteristics, validity and current status.
How long is the Award valid?
One year from the issue date, subject to the current record and continuing conditions. Renewal is free and may be requested from 60 calendar days before expiry.
What happens if the product changes?
Report material changes before claiming coverage for the changed product. Use the case workspace to submit the change and evidence. IESQ records a decision on the affected scope; the request is free.
How may we describe the Award?
Identify the exact model, record and recognised scope. Follow the mark rules. Do not claim EU approval, statutory certification, first place, a recommendation or recognition of the entire brand.
When can recognition be suspended or withdrawn?
For grounds such as false or concealed evidence, unresolved relevant safety information, unreported material changes or persistent mark misuse. A notice identifies reasons, scope, effective date and appeal rights.
Does one model cover the whole range?
No. Only models and configurations explicitly listed in the record are covered. A series needs a justified variant matrix and accepted evidence for its coverage.
Can a product enter through nomination or research?
Yes. Expert or public nomination and IESQ research leads use the same conditions as direct applications. Authority and complete evidence must be established before issue.
Checking a product
How can I examine the basis of an Award?
Open the public record and compare the model, configuration, recognised characteristics, standards, evidence summary, dates and current status. IESQ institutional particulars and the programme rules are linked from the Award pages.
Does the Award mean first in its class?
No. There is one Award level, without ranking or comparative claims against products that were not examined.
What does it establish about the product?
The record identifies the assessed model and specific core characteristics with verified margins beyond the relevant European requirements, alongside satisfaction of the required baseline. Its limits remain part of the conclusion.
How do I check a certificate?
Use its permanent verification URL or QR code, or search the complete reference in the Award Register or the IESQ verification page. Match the model and configuration and read the current status.
Why might a familiar brand have no record?
Participation and evidence differ. The absence of a record is not an assessment of every product sold by that brand. Recognition requires a completed favourable decision for the specific model.
Can recognition be bought?
No. IESQ Award services are free. Financial support, advertising, membership, external testing expenditure or a commercial relationship creates no entitlement to an Award.
Is this a CE certificate or management-system certificate?
No. It is an IESQ product Award with a stated evidence scope. It does not replace any legally required product conformity procedure, CE marking where applicable, registration or a management-system certificate.
Does it mean the product is suitable for every user?
No. Read the intended use, instructions and scope. The Award is not a personal recommendation or an unrestricted guarantee of use.
Can an expired certificate still be used as current?
No. The public record shows current validity and status. A historic document does not preserve an expired, suspended or withdrawn mark licence.
Who performs the testing?
The applicant supplies reports from appropriately competent external testing organisations. IESQ examines the evidence and makes the Award decision; it does not represent itself as the laboratory that performed those tests.
Does every application receive an Award?
No. Missing evidence, unmet baseline requirements or absence of a supported margin prevents a favourable decision. Participation figures or success rates are published only from verified programme records.
How do I report an incorrect claim?
Use the mark-misuse or complaint route, identify the exact claim and its location, and include the record reference where available. A correction request can also be raised through the record enquiry route; all are free.
Find the relevant rule
Eligibility · Evidence requirements · Assessment method · Application process · Programme rules · Mark use