Purpose and scope
Suspension and withdrawal
Public status must change when confidence in continuing compliance, accurate claims or effective control is no longer justified.
01
Grounds
Action may follow serious or repeated nonconformity, failure to complete corrective action, material unreported change, misleading use of a mark, refusal of monitoring, non-payment where it prevents the scheme from operating, insolvency, unlawful activity or a substantiated risk to learners, candidates or public trust.
02
Decision and notice
Except where urgent protective action is required, the holder receives the concern, supporting basis, required response and deadline. An authorised independent decision determines restriction, suspension or withdrawal and records the reasons, effective date and conditions.
03
Public consequences and reinstatement
The register is updated and use of the affected mark must stop or follow the published restriction. Reinstatement requires objective evidence that causes were addressed and controls operate effectively; it is never automatic. Withdrawal normally requires a new application for future recognition.
Mandatory controls
What the policy requires in operation
- Protective action may take effect immediately where delay would create material harm.
- The holder receives the applicable appeal route.
- Certificates already issued are not silently rewritten; current status is shown in the live record.
- Material status history remains traceable after reinstatement or withdrawal.
Public accountability
Status changes remain visible
Where this policy affects a public accreditation or Certi Mark, the live register reflects the current status, restrictions and material public history without disclosing protected evidence or personal data.