As required by ISO/IEC 17065 Clause 4.6(b), Guardian Assessment Private Limited provides the following information about its financial model and fee structure to ensure transparency for all applicants and certified clients.
Guardian Assessment Private Limited is a privately incorporated company registered under the laws of India (CIN: U74999MH2018PTC307933). Its operations are funded entirely through the fees charged to applicants and certified clients for certification services, including initial evaluation, surveillance, recertification and other scheme-related activities.
Guardian does not receive funding from any public body, industry association, manufacturer or any entity with a commercial interest in the outcome of certification decisions. This ensures that Guardian's certification decisions remain independent, impartial and free from any commercial or financial pressure.
Guardian maintains adequate financial stability and insurance arrangements (including Professional Indemnity Insurance) to support the ongoing, reliable operation of the Guardian SecureApp™ Certification Scheme.
Certification fees are determined based on the following factors:
Module(s) selected — Module A, B or C
Assurance level — Basic, Enhanced or High
Complexity and size of the product in scope
Evaluation method — on-site, remote or hybrid
Number of modules evaluated simultaneously
Special evaluation or recertification activities required
Application / Review Fee
A non-refundable application review fee payable at the time of application submission.
Initial Evaluation Fee
The primary evaluation fee covering Stage 1 (scope definition) through Stage 5 (certification decision) of the initial certification process.
Annual Surveillance Fee
Annual fee for surveillance evaluation activities conducted during the 3-year certification cycle.
Recertification Fee
Fee for the full recertification evaluation conducted prior to expiry of the 3-year cycle.
Special Evaluation Fee
Fee applicable where an unplanned evaluation is triggered by a significant change, incident or complaint.
Certificate Issuance Fee
Included in the initial evaluation fee. Replacement certificates attract a nominal administrative fee.
Note on Fees
Specific fee quotations are provided to applicants following an initial scope discussion and risk screening. Fees are agreed in writing before any evaluation activities commence and are set out in the certification agreement. Guardian does not charge fees that are not disclosed in advance to the applicant.
Non-Discriminatory Fee Policy
Guardian applies fees consistently and without discrimination. The fee structure does not vary on the basis of the applicant's nationality, size, geography, or membership of any trade association or industry body.
💳 Payment Terms
Payment terms are set out in the certification agreement between Guardian and the applicant. Certification activities will not commence, and certificates will not be issued, until all applicable fees have been settled in accordance with the agreed payment terms.
↩ Refund Policy
Application fees are non-refundable. Where an evaluation is terminated early at the request of the applicant or due to the applicant's failure to cooperate, fees for work already performed are payable. Guardian will communicate the applicable refund or cancellation terms clearly in the certification agreement.
Contact for Fee Enquiries
For a fee quotation or general enquiry about costs, please contact Guardian Assessment Private Limited at guardianassessment@gmail.com. Guardian will respond to all fee enquiries promptly and without obligation.