This guide explains how organizations that have been inspected by Guardian Assessment Pvt. Ltd. may refer to that inspection, and the rules that apply to using Guardian's name and logo. It applies to any client, supplier or other party whose facility, product, process or consignment has been the subject of a Guardian inspection assignment and who wishes to reference that inspection in their own communications, marketing, packaging or documentation.
⚠ Important — Guardian does not currently issue a licensed inspection mark
Unlike a product-certification scheme, food inspection under ISO/IEC 17020 does not result in an ongoing "certification mark" that can be displayed indefinitely on a product or premises. An inspection reflects the conditions observed at a specific facility, product, lot or consignment on a specific date. Guardian's accreditation for food-sector inspection activities is currently under process and has not yet been granted. Until formal accreditation is granted, no accreditation body's symbol, the ILAC MRA Mark, an accreditation certificate number, or the expression "accredited inspection body" may be used in connection with any Guardian inspection.
A Guardian inspection report applies only to the identified item, facility, lot or consignment, at the location and on the date stated, against the agreed scope and criteria. It is not a management-system certificate, product certificate, licence, regulatory approval or an ongoing guarantee of continuing conformity. See Inspection Reports: Use, Verification and Misuse for the full rules governing report use.
Where Guardian has issued you an inspection report, you may factually reference that specific inspection, provided the reference is accurate, current and clearly scoped:
- state that the identified facility, product, lot or consignment was inspected by Guardian Assessment Pvt. Ltd., citing the report number and inspection date;
- describe the scope of the inspection accurately (e.g. the specific facility, process, product line or consignment covered);
- reference the report in tenders, procurement responses or buyer communications where relevant and where the report remains current;
- provide a copy of the authentic, complete report to a party who needs to verify it; and
- direct an interested party to Guardian for report verification.
Prohibited Uses
- Use Guardian's name or logo separately from a specific, current inspection report to imply general approval or endorsement.
- Suggest that an entire organization, all products, all locations or all lots are covered when only a specific facility, product or consignment was inspected.
- Imply that an inspection guarantees food safety, ongoing compliance, or the absence of defects, contamination or nonconformity.
- Describe Guardian's inspection as "accredited," or use an accreditation body's symbol, the ILAC MRA Mark, or an accreditation certificate number, while Guardian's accreditation remains under process.
- Represent an inspection as product certification, management-system certification or regulatory approval.
- Continue to reference or display a report after it has been withdrawn, superseded, or after the inspected conditions are no longer current.
- Alter, selectively reproduce, or reproduce only favourable pages of a report.
- Use Guardian's corporate logo on your own materials without Guardian's prior written consent.
- Allow a third party to use Guardian's name, logo or report on your behalf without Guardian's consent.
Whenever you reference a Guardian inspection in any public or contractual material, the reference must be accompanied by:
- a clear statement of what was inspected — the specific facility, product, process or consignment;
- the inspection date and the report number;
- a statement that the report reflects conditions observed at the stated place and time, and is not an ongoing guarantee; and
- a note that Guardian's accreditation for this activity is currently under process, where the context could otherwise be read as implying accredited status.
"[Facility Name] was inspected by Guardian Assessment Pvt. Ltd. on [date] (Report No. [XXXX]), covering [specific scope, e.g. hygienic and sanitary conditions of the packing facility]. A copy of the report is available on request."
"Our [facility / product line] was independently inspected by Guardian Assessment Pvt. Ltd. on [date]. Inspection scope and findings are set out in Report No. [XXXX], available on request for verification."
"[Company Name] is Guardian Inspected."
"Guardian Inspected — guaranteed safe and compliant."
Displaying an accreditation body's symbol, the ILAC MRA Mark, or describing the inspection as "accredited," alongside Guardian's name.
Continuing to reference or display a report on packaging, a website or marketing material after Guardian has withdrawn, superseded or notified you that the report is no longer current.
| Context | Rule | Must Include |
|---|---|---|
| Buyer / Procurement Communication | Permitted where the specific inspection is relevant to the transaction | Facility/product identified, report number, inspection date |
| Company Website | Permitted on pages describing the specific inspected facility or product line | Scope statement, report number, date, "report available on request" |
| Product Packaging | Only where the specific inspected lot or product is clearly identified | Scope and date; must not imply an ongoing or accredited certification |
| Tenders and Proposals | Permitted where the inspected facility, product or consignment is specifically relevant | Report number and offer to provide the full report for verification |
| Press Releases / Social Media | Permitted for factual announcement of a completed inspection | Scope, date, and a statement that the report is available for verification |
Guardian's corporate name and logo are the property of Guardian Assessment Pvt. Ltd. Because there is currently no licensed inspection mark for ongoing client display, Guardian's logo may only be used by an inspected client with Guardian's prior written consent, and only in direct, accurate connection with a specific, current inspection report. Consent may be withdrawn if the conditions in this guide are not met.
If consent is given, the logo must be reproduced from the official artwork file supplied by Guardian, without modification, distortion, recolouring or the addition of visual effects, and must not be placed in a way that suggests a business relationship, partnership or endorsement beyond the specific inspection performed.
You are responsible for keeping any public or contractual reference to a Guardian inspection accurate and current:
- update or remove references promptly if the inspected conditions change materially;
- remove references if Guardian withdraws, supersedes or corrects the report;
- do not extend a reference to cover products, lots, locations or dates not covered by the original report; and
- respond promptly to any request from Guardian to correct or remove a reference.
Misuse of Guardian's name, logo or an inspection report is addressed under Guardian's published Inspection Reports: Use, Verification and Misuse policy. Depending on the nature of the misuse, Guardian may investigate, request corrective action, notify affected parties, withdraw a report, publish a clarification where lawful, or refer suspected fraud to an appropriate authority.
Any party may raise a concern about suspected misuse — see Reporting Suspected Misuse. A client subject to corrective action may raise a concern through Guardian's Complaints and Appeals process.
- My reference identifies the specific facility, product, lot or consignment inspected — not the whole organization.
- I have included the report number and inspection date alongside the reference.
- I am not implying that the inspection guarantees food safety, quality or continuing compliance.
- I am not using any accreditation symbol, the ILAC MRA Mark, or the word "accredited" in connection with the inspection.
- The report I am referencing has not been withdrawn, superseded or corrected since I last checked.
- I have Guardian's prior written consent if I am using Guardian's corporate logo.
- I have not allowed a third party to use Guardian's name, logo or report on my behalf.
Logo Consent, Report References or Usage Queries
Accreditation and Controlled Documents
Guardian's inspection accreditation is currently under process. Inspection activities and reports must not be represented as accredited unless and until accreditation is formally granted for the relevant activity and location. For controlled copies of applicable policies, procedures or forms, contact info@guardiancertification.com.