1. Purpose & Scope
This policy governs the conditions under which clients of Guardian Assessment Pvt. Ltd. (operating as Guardian VB) may make reference to GHG Verification Statements, Validation Statements, and the Guardian VB name and logo. It applies to all clients who have received a statement from Guardian VB and to any third party acting on a client's behalf. This policy is issued in accordance with ISO/IEC 17029:2019 Clause 10.3 and forms part of the Verification Agreement executed prior to every engagement.
2. Definitions
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Verification Statement | A formal written document issued by Guardian VB expressing an assurance conclusion on a GHG assertion for a defined reporting period. It is not a certificate. |
| Validation Statement | A formal written document issued by Guardian VB expressing a conclusion on the plausibility of a GHG project design or projected emission reductions. |
| Guardian VB Mark / Logo | The name, logo, and associated graphical marks of Guardian Assessment Pvt. Ltd. in its capacity as a Validation and Verification Body. |
| Misuse | Any use of a Verification Statement, Validation Statement, or Guardian VB mark that is inaccurate, incomplete, misleading, or inconsistent with this policy — whether intentional or not. |
| Client | The organisation that has executed a Verification Agreement with Guardian Assessment Pvt. Ltd. and received a Verification or Validation Statement. |
3. Rules for Use of Verification Statements
3.1 Permitted Uses
- Reference in annual reports, sustainability reports, integrated reports, and ESG disclosures for the reporting period stated in the statement.
- Submission to regulators, stock exchanges, or government authorities where GHG verification is required.
- Inclusion in tender documents or procurement submissions as evidence of verified GHG reporting.
- Reference in investor presentations or stakeholder communications, provided the period, scope, and assurance level are accurately stated.
- Publication of the full statement on the client's website as a publicly available document.
3.2 Conditions Applicable to All Uses
- Every reference must state the reporting period covered by the statement.
- Every reference must state the level of assurance (Limited or Reasonable).
- Every reference must accurately reflect the scope of the verification — including which emission sources and organisational boundaries were included.
- Where the statement contains an emphasis of matter, limitation of scope, or qualification, these must not be omitted from any reference to the conclusion.
- The statement must be reproducible in full if reproduced. Excerpts that omit material content are not permitted.
3.3 Prohibited Uses
- Using a Verification Statement to imply product certification, carbon neutrality, net-zero status, or any claim not expressly stated in the statement.
- Altering, editing, translating, or excerpting the statement in any way that changes or obscures its meaning.
- Applying the Guardian VB logo to products, services, packaging, or marketing materials.
- Using a Verification Statement issued for one reporting period to represent performance in a different period.
- Implying that a partial-scope verification (e.g., Scope 1 and 2 only) covers the organisation's full GHG footprint.
- Referencing a withdrawn Verification Statement after notice of withdrawal has been received.
4. Rules for Use of the Guardian VB Name & Logo
The Guardian VB name and logo are the property of Guardian Assessment Pvt. Ltd. The logo appears on Verification and Validation Statements. Its use in any other context requires prior written authorisation from Guardian VB. Requests must be submitted to vb@guardiancertification.com. Unauthorised use of the logo constitutes misuse under this policy and may give rise to legal remedies.
5. Validity & Withdrawal
Each Verification Statement is valid solely for the reporting period stated. Guardian VB reserves the right to withdraw a statement at any time if information emerges that materially undermines the basis of the conclusion. Upon receipt of a withdrawal notice, the client must immediately cease all references to the withdrawn statement and remove it from all published communications.
6. Consequences of Non-Compliance
| Action | Trigger |
|---|---|
| Formal written notification & corrective action demand | Any identified misuse — first instance or minor breach. |
| Statement withdrawal | Material misuse; misrepresentation of scope, period, or assurance level; use of a statement to support misleading claims. |
| Reporting to UAF | Significant or repeated misuse, as required by Guardian VB's accreditation obligations. |
| Legal action | Unauthorised use of Guardian VB name, logo, or statement resulting in material misrepresentation. |
| Refusal of future engagements | Material or repeated breach of this policy by the client. |
7. Policy Review & Queries
This policy is reviewed annually or upon any change to the applicable accreditation requirements. The current version is published on the Guardian VB website at guardiancertification.com. For queries regarding the application of this policy or to request authorisation for a specific use of the Guardian VB name or logo, contact: vb@guardiancertification.com.