Certification Registry
AqNova Marketplace Policies & Disclosures
AQNOVA MARKETPLACE
Global Legal Footer Framework
Comprehensive Compliance & Platform Governance Reference
CERTIFICATION REGISTRY
Public-Facing Registry of Verified Vendor Sustainability Certifications
Global Standards | Verified Claims | Transparent Accountability
Arivon Holding Corporation | AqNova Marketplace
Effective Date: April 7, 2026 | Version 1.0
| What Is the AqNova Certification Registry? The AqNova Certification Registry is the Platform's authoritative public record of all sustainability, ethical, organic, fair trade, environmental, social, and safety certifications held by verified vendors. Every certification badge displayed on a product listing on AqNova corresponds to a registry entry that has been independently submitted, verified, and time-stamped by AqNova's Compliance team. The Registry exists to protect buyers from greenwashing, to reward genuinely certified vendors, and to provide a transparent, searchable, and legally defensible record of sustainability claims across AqNova's global marketplace. Public Registry Portal: aqnova.co/certification-registry Registry Support: certifications@aqnova.co |
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This document governs the structure, operation, legal basis, and enforcement framework of the AqNova Certification Registry ("the Registry"). It is a public-facing governance document and forms part of AqNova's Global Legal Footer Framework.
The Registry is not a passive directory. Every certification listed in it has been actively verified by AqNova's compliance team against the issuing body's public database or through direct confirmation with the certifying organization. Certifications are time-stamped, expiry-tracked, and subject to periodic re-verification. Vendors who misrepresent certifications — by uploading fraudulent certificates, allowing expired certifications to appear active, or claiming certifications they do not hold — face immediate listing removal, account suspension, and potential legal action under applicable consumer protection and green marketing laws.
5.1 Legal Framework — Anti-Greenwashing & Claims Compliance
The Registry exists within a rapidly evolving global legal framework that imposes mandatory standards for sustainability claims, environmental marketing, and certification-based representations. The following regulations directly govern the claims that may be displayed on the AqNova Platform and the evidence required to support them:
5.1.1 United States
| Law / Regulation | Application to the Certification Registry |
|---|---|
| FTC Green Guides (16 C.F.R. Part 260) | The Federal Trade Commission's Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims prohibit unqualified environmental claims (e.g., "eco-friendly," "green," "sustainable," "recyclable," "biodegradable," "compostable," "carbon neutral") unless the claim is substantiated by competent and reliable evidence. AqNova requires certification documentation or third-party test reports for any such claim displayed on the Platform. |
| FTC Act Section 5 (15 U.S.C. § 45) | Prohibits unfair or deceptive acts in commerce. Unsubstantiated sustainability claims on AqNova product listings constitute a deceptive trade practice and expose both the vendor and the Platform to FTC enforcement action. |
| California Organic Products Act (COPA) | Regulates the use of the term "organic" for food products sold in California. Products labeled organic must be certified under the USDA National Organic Program (NOP) or meet California's own equivalent standards. |
| USDA National Organic Program (NOP, 7 C.F.R. Part 205) | Federal organic certification program. "USDA Organic" label requires certification by an accredited certifying agent. AqNova verifies NOP certificates for all vendors claiming USDA Organic status. |
| California Environmental Marketing Claims Act (Bus. & Prof. Code § 17580) | Requires that environmental claims made in connection with the sale of products in California be truthful, non-deceptive, and supported by competent and reliable scientific evidence. Fines for violations up to USD 2,500 per day per product. |
| Natural Products Association (NPA) "Natural" Standard | While "natural" is not legally defined at the federal level, NPA's standard informs AqNova's approach to "natural" product claims on the Platform. |
5.1.2 European Union
| Law / Directive | Application to the Certification Registry |
|---|---|
| EU Green Claims Directive (COM/2023/166) | Proposed directive requiring that environmental claims on products sold in the EU be verified by an independent accredited body before they are made. Prohibits generic, vague, or unsubstantiated green claims. Once adopted, this will require AqNova to verify all EU-market sustainability claims against the Directive's standards. |
| EU Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive (2024/825) | Amends the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive to explicitly prohibit making environmental claims based on carbon offsetting schemes, using generic sustainability labels without approved certification backing, and claiming carbon neutrality without substantiated evidence. |
| EU Organic Regulation (2018/848) | EU organic labeling requirements. The EU organic logo may only be used for products certified under Regulation 2018/848. AqNova verifies EU organic certificates for all EU-market organic product listings. |
| EU Ecolabel Regulation (66/2010) | The EU Ecolabel is the EU's official environmental label. Products bearing the EU Ecolabel must be licensed by competent bodies in EU member states. AqNova verifies all EU Ecolabel license numbers. |
| EU Textile Labelling Regulation (1007/2011) | Requires accurate fiber composition labeling for textile products. Sustainability-related textile claims (e.g., "recycled fibers") must be verifiable. |
| EU Unfair Commercial Practices Directive (2005/29/EC as amended) | Prohibits misleading commercial practices; false sustainability claims constitute misleading practices subject to national enforcement action. |
5.1.3 United Kingdom
| Law / Guidance | Application to the Certification Registry |
|---|---|
| CMA Green Claims Code (2021) | The UK Competition and Markets Authority's Green Claims Code sets six principles for environmental claims: truthful and accurate; clear and unambiguous; not omit or hide relevant information; fair and meaningful comparisons; substantiated; and consider the full life cycle of the product. AqNova's Registry requirements are designed to ensure compliance with all six principles. |
| Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (CPRs) | Prohibit misleading commercial practices including false or unsubstantiated environmental claims. Breaches are criminal offences. |
| UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) CAP Code | The ASA's Committee of Advertising Practice Code requires that environmental claims in advertising be verifiable. AqNova's marketing of Platform products is subject to ASA jurisdiction. |
5.1.4 Canada
| Law / Standard | Application to the Certification Registry |
|---|---|
| Competition Act (R.S.C. 1985, c. C-34) — ss. 74.01, 74.011 | Prohibits false or misleading representations and deceptive marketing practices, including environmental claims. Amendments in Bill C-59 (2024) strengthen enforcement against greenwashing, adding a requirement that environmental claims be based on adequate and proper testing. |
| Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act (R.S.C. 1985, c. C-38) | Prohibits misleading labeling including false sustainability representations on consumer products. |
| Canada Organic Regime (COR) | Canada's organic certification system; products labeled organic for interprovincial trade or export must be certified under the COR by accredited certification bodies. |
| CAN/CGSB-32.310 & 32.311 Organic Standards | National organic standards governing the Canadian organic certification program. |
5.1.5 Africa, Latin America & Asia-Pacific
| Jurisdiction / Standard | Application to the Certification Registry |
|---|---|
| South Africa — National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) | Certifications required for regulated product categories sold in South Africa. AqNova verifies NRCS compliance marks for applicable South African vendor products. |
| Nigeria — Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) | SON certification mark required for regulated products. NAFDAC registration required for food, drug, and cosmetic products. AqNova verifies registration numbers. |
| Kenya — Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) | KEBS standardization marks required for regulated products. Diamond Mark of Quality for locally manufactured goods. |
| Ghana — Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) | GSA quality certification mark for products sold in Ghana. AqNova verifies GSA marks for Ghana-market listings. |
| Brazil — INMETRO | Brazil's National Institute of Metrology, Standardization and Industrial Quality. Compulsory certification (OCP) required for regulated product categories. AqNova verifies INMETRO certification numbers. |
| Brazil — IBD Certificacoes (Organic) | Brazil's leading organic certification body, accredited by MAPA (Ministry of Agriculture). IBD certification is a recognized equivalent to USDA Organic and EU organic for Brazilian products. |
| Colombia / Chile / Argentina — IFOAM Accredited Organic Bodies | IFOAM (International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements) accreditation framework recognized for organic products sourced from Latin America. |
| Australia — ACO (Australian Certified Organic) | Australia's leading organic certification body. ACO certification recognized by AqNova for Australian organic products. |
| Australia — Green Star (GBCA) | Green Building Council of Australia's Green Star certification for building-related and materials products. Recognized in the Registry for applicable categories. |
| India — India Organic / NPOP (National Programme for Organic Production) | APEDA's national organic certification program. India Organic logo permitted only for NPOP-certified products. Recognized by AqNova for India-sourced organic listings. |
| Japan — JAS (Japanese Agricultural Standards) Organic | Japanese Agricultural Standard organic certification. JAS Organic mark permitted only for JAS-certified products. Recognized by AqNova. |
| South Korea — Korea Eco-Label | Korea's official eco-labeling scheme administered by the Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute (KEITI). |
| Singapore — Singapore Green Label | Singapore Environment Council's Green Label for environmentally preferable products. |
5.2 Registry Tier Structure — Certification Levels
The AqNova Certification Registry operates on a four-tier recognition structure. Tier classification determines the level of AqNova verification required, the visibility boost a certification receives on the Platform, and the badge display treatment on product listings and vendor profiles.
| TIER 1 — PLATINUM AqNova Verified & Endorsed The highest recognition level. Reserved for certifications issued by internationally accredited third-party bodies with rigorous, annually audited standards. Tier 1 certifications require: (a) active certificate in the issuing body's public database; (b) annual re-verification by AqNova; (c) on-site or documentary audit by the certifying body within the past 12 months; and (d) zero material non-conformances on the most recent audit. Platinum badges appear with the AqNova Verified shield on all product listings. |
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| TIER 2 — GOLD AqNova Accepted — Major Third-Party Certification Recognized internationally accredited certifications that are verified by AqNova through document review against the certifying body's public or private registry. Certificate must be current (not expired), issued to the correct legal entity, and cover the specific product categories listed. Gold badges appear with a verified checkmark on product listings. |
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| TIER 3 — SILVER AqNova Reviewed — Regional or Emerging Certification Certifications issued by recognized national or regional certification bodies that meet minimum standards for independence, transparency, and accreditation, but may have more limited international recognition. AqNova verifies Tier 3 certificates through document review and direct confirmation with the issuing body where feasible. Silver badges are displayed with a reviewed notation on listings. |
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| TIER 4 — BRONZE AqNova Noted — Self-Declared or Emerging Standards Self-declarations supported by test reports, internal audits, or emerging certification programs not yet recognized by major accreditation bodies. Bronze status is conditional: vendors must provide supporting documentation and accept that AqNova may downgrade or remove Bronze status if documentation is found to be inadequate. Bronze badges display with a self-declared notation and are not featured in promotional contexts. |
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5.3 Master Certification Catalogue — All Recognized Certifications
The following Master Catalogue lists every certification recognized by the AqNova Platform, organized by category. Each entry shows the Registry Code, full certification name, issuing body, applicable product categories, geographic scope, and Registry Tier. Vendors must select from this Catalogue when submitting certification claims; uncatalogued certifications are processed through the New Certification Application pathway (Section 5.5).
5.3.1 Organic & Agricultural Certifications [ TIER 1 — PLATINUM ]
| ORG-001 | USDA National Organic Program (NOP) — United States Issuing Authority: USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) via accredited certifying agents. Scope: Food, beverages, personal care, textiles, and livestock products with 100%/95%/70% organic content thresholds. Geographic Applicability: USA; widely recognized globally. Verification: AMS public organic integrity database (ams.usda.gov/organic-integrity). Tier: Platinum. |
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| ORG-002 | EU Organic Certification — Regulation 2018/848 Issuing Authority: Accredited certification bodies in EU member states (e.g., ECOCERT, Bureau Veritas, IMO, Soil Association Certification). Scope: Plant products, livestock products, aquaculture products, processed food, feed, wine, yeast. Geographic Applicability: European Union. Verification: EU TRACES NT database; direct confirmation with certifying body. Tier: Platinum. |
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| ORG-003 | Soil Association Organic Certification — United Kingdom Issuing Authority: Soil Association Certification Ltd (UK's largest organic certification body). Scope: Food, farming, beauty, textiles. Geographic Applicability: UK; IFOAM recognized. Verification: Soil Association public licensee database. Tier: Platinum. |
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| ORG-004 | Canada Organic Regime (COR) — Canada Issuing Authority: CFIA-accredited certification bodies (e.g., Pro-Cert, QAI, OCIA). Standard: CAN/CGSB-32.310. Scope: Organic food and agricultural products for interprovincial trade and export. Geographic Applicability: Canada. Verification: CFIA certification body database. Tier: Platinum. |
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| ORG-005 | Australia Certified Organic (ACO) — Australia Issuing Authority: Australian Certified Organic Pty Ltd. Scope: Food, beverages, personal care, textiles, farming inputs. Geographic Applicability: Australia; IFOAM accredited. Verification: ACO licensee database. Tier: Platinum. |
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| ORG-006 | India Organic / NPOP — India Issuing Authority: APEDA-accredited certification bodies (e.g., Bureau Veritas, Control Union, ECOCERT India). Standard: National Programme for Organic Production. Scope: Agricultural and processed organic products. Geographic Applicability: India; recognized by EU and Switzerland. Verification: APEDA NPOP certification database. Tier: Platinum. |
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| ORG-007 | JAS Organic — Japan Issuing Authority: MAFF-registered organic JAS certification bodies. Standard: Japanese Agricultural Standards (JAS). Scope: Food products with organic content. Geographic Applicability: Japan. Verification: MAFF JAS certification body registry. Tier: Platinum. |
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| ORG-008 | IBD Certificacoes — Brazil Issuing Authority: IBD Certificacoes, MAPA-accredited. Scope: Organic and biodynamic agricultural and food products. Geographic Applicability: Brazil; IFOAM accredited; recognized by EU and USDA. Verification: IBD licensee database. Tier: Platinum. |
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| ORG-009 | IFOAM Organics International — Global Issuing Authority: IFOAM-accredited certification bodies globally. Scope: Serves as the global umbrella accreditation standard. IFOAM accreditation of a certifying body means its certificates are globally recognized. Verification: IFOAM accreditation database (ifoam.bio). Tier: Platinum. |
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5.3.2 Fair Trade & Ethical Trade Certifications [ TIER 1 — PLATINUM ]
| FT-001 | Fairtrade International Certification — FLOCERT Issuing Authority: FLOCERT GmbH (independent certification body for Fairtrade International). Scope: Agricultural commodities (coffee, cocoa, tea, sugar, bananas, cotton, gold, and others); manufactured goods. Standards: Fairtrade Standards covering minimum prices, Fairtrade Premium, labor rights, and environmental standards. Verification: FLOCERT public certificate lookup (flocert.net). Tier: Platinum. |
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| FT-002 | Fair Trade USA Certification Issuing Authority: Fair Trade USA (independent US-based fair trade certifier). Scope: Agricultural products, apparel, seafood, ingredients, home goods, body care. Verification: Fair Trade USA product finder database. Tier: Platinum. |
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| FT-003 | World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) Guarantee System Issuing Authority: World Fair Trade Organization. Scope: Organizations (not just products) that are 100% committed to fair trade principles. Requires peer review and independent monitoring. Verification: WFTO member directory. Tier: Platinum. |
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| FT-004 | Rainforest Alliance Certification (UTZ/RA Merged) Issuing Authority: Rainforest Alliance (merged with UTZ in 2018). Scope: Coffee, cocoa, tea, bananas, flowers, hazelnuts, vanilla, forests. Standards: Rainforest Alliance Sustainable Agriculture Standard covering environmental, social, and economic sustainability. Verification: Rainforest Alliance certificate database. Tier: Platinum. |
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| FT-005 | IMO Fair for Life Issuing Authority: IMO (Institute for Marketecology). Scope: Broad coverage including food, cosmetics, textiles, and services. Covers supply chain social responsibility and fair trade. Verification: IMO certificate database. Tier: Platinum. |
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5.3.4 Environmental & Ecological Certifications [ TIER 1 — PLATINUM / TIER 2 — GOLD ]
| ENV-001 | EU Ecolabel (European Flower) Issuing Authority: European Commission, administered by national Competent Bodies. Scope: Apparel, textiles, footwear, cleaning products, furniture, electronics, tourism services, lubricants, paper, cosmetics. Strict lifecycle assessment criteria. Verification: EU Ecolabel public database (ecolabel.eu). Tier: Platinum. |
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| ENV-002 | Nordic Swan Ecolabel — Nordic Countries Issuing Authority: Nordic Ecolabelling Board. Scope: Comprehensive product and service categories across Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. Verification: Nordic Swan product database. Tier: Platinum. |
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| ENV-003 | Blue Angel (Blauer Engel) — Germany Issuing Authority: Federal Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt), RAL gGmbH. Scope: Products and services across 120+ product categories including paper, electronics, paints, cleaning agents, vehicles. Verification: Blue Angel product database (blauer-engel.de). Tier: Platinum. |
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| ENV-004 | Energy Star — United States & Canada Issuing Authority: US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Natural Resources Canada. Scope: Electronics, appliances, lighting, building materials, commercial equipment. Verification: EPA Energy Star product finder (energystar.gov). Tier: Platinum. |
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| ENV-005 | Cradle to Cradle Certified (C2C) Issuing Authority: Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute. Scope: Products across material health, material reutilization, renewable energy/carbon management, water stewardship, social fairness. Five certification levels: Basic to Platinum. Verification: C2C certified product database. Tier: Platinum (C2C Gold/Platinum) / Gold (C2C Silver/Bronze). |
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| ENV-006 | Korea Eco-Label (Korea Environmental Mark) Issuing Authority: Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute (KEITI). Scope: Electronics, vehicles, construction materials, office supplies, packaging. Verification: KEITI eco-label database. Tier: Gold. |
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| ENV-007 | Singapore Green Label Issuing Authority: Singapore Environment Council (SEC). Scope: Cleaning products, stationery, packaging, electronics, paints, building materials. Verification: SEC Green Label database. Tier: Gold. |
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| ENV-008 | GreenSeal — United States Issuing Authority: Green Seal Inc. Scope: Cleaning products, paints, hospitality, construction, paper, food service. Based on lifecycle standards. Verification: Green Seal certified products database. Tier: Gold. |
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| ENV-009 | Environmental Choice New Zealand Issuing Authority: Environmental Choice New Zealand. Scope: Household and commercial products. GENICES member. Verification: ECNZ product database. Tier: Gold. |
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5.3.5 Forest, Paper & Timber Certifications [ TIER 1 — PLATINUM ]
| FOR-001 | Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certification Issuing Authority: FSC International; certification issued by accredited certification bodies (e.g., Bureau Veritas, SGS, Control Union). Scope: Wood, paper, timber products, and forest management. Three certificate types: Forest Management (FM); Chain of Custody (CoC); Controlled Wood. Verification: FSC certificate search (info.fsc.org). Tier: Platinum. |
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| FOR-002 | Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) Issuing Authority: PEFC International; national schemes endorsed by PEFC. Scope: Forest management and chain of custody for wood and paper products. Covers 50+ national schemes globally. Verification: PEFC certificate database (pefc.org). Tier: Platinum. |
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| FOR-003 | Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) — North America Issuing Authority: SFI Inc. (PEFC-endorsed). Scope: Forest management and chain of custody for wood and fiber products in North America. Verification: SFI certificate database. Tier: Platinum. |
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5.3.6 Textile, Apparel & Fashion Certifications [ TIER 1 — PLATINUM / TIER 2 — GOLD ]
| TEX-001 | Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) Issuing Authority: GOTS-approved certification bodies (e.g., ECOCERT, IMO, Control Union, Soil Association). Scope: Textiles with minimum 70% organic fiber content; covers entire supply chain from fiber to finished product including processing, manufacturing, packaging, labeling, trading, and distribution. Verification: GOTS public database (global-standard.org). Tier: Platinum. |
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| TEX-002 | OEKO-TEX Standard 100 (OEKO-TEX MADE IN GREEN) Issuing Authority: OEKO-TEX Association (Hohenstein Institute, TESTEX). Scope: Every component of a textile article tested for harmful substances. Made in Green label additionally certifies sustainable production. Verification: OEKO-TEX label check database (oeko-tex.com/label-check). Tier: Platinum. |
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| TEX-003 | Bluesign Certification Issuing Authority: bluesign technologies ag. Scope: Chemical management, resource efficiency, and consumer safety in textile manufacturing. Focus on chemistry, resource productivity, and consumer safety. Verification: Bluesign certified products database. Tier: Gold. |
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| TEX-004 | Better Cotton (BCI) Certification Issuing Authority: Better Cotton Initiative. Scope: Cotton grown under Better Cotton Standards covering land use, soil health, water stewardship, crop protection, fiber quality, decent work, and smallholder community livelihoods. Verification: Better Cotton membership and license database. Tier: Gold. |
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| TEX-005 | Responsible Down Standard (RDS) Issuing Authority: Control Union Certifications (on behalf of Textile Exchange). Scope: Down and feathers in finished products. Ensures humane treatment of geese and ducks throughout the supply chain. Verification: Control Union RDS certificate database. Tier: Gold. |
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| TEX-006 | Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) Issuing Authority: Control Union Certifications (on behalf of Textile Exchange). Scope: Wool from sheep farms and wool processing; addresses land management, animal welfare, and worker rights. Verification: Control Union RWS database. Tier: Gold. |
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| TEX-007 | Leather Working Group (LWG) Gold Rating Issuing Authority: Leather Working Group. Scope: Leather tanneries and processors. Gold, Silver, Bronze ratings for environmental performance. Only Gold and Silver recognized in Tier 1/2 respectively on AqNova. Verification: LWG audit database (leatherworkinggroup.com). Tier: Platinum (Gold) / Gold (Silver). |
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5.3.7 Beauty, Personal Care & Cosmetics Certifications [ TIER 1 — PLATINUM / TIER 2 — GOLD ]
| BPC-001 | NATRUE International Natural and Organic Cosmetics Standard Issuing Authority: NATRUE (Brussels); certification by approved certifiers (e.g., BDIH, COSMEBIO, Ecogruppo). Scope: Natural and organic cosmetics; three label types: Natural Cosmetic; Natural Cosmetic with Organic Portion; Organic Cosmetic. Verification: NATRUE certified products database. Tier: Platinum. |
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| BPC-002 | COSMOS Organic / COSMOS Natural (COSMOS-standard) Issuing Authority: COSMOS-standard AISBL; certification by approved bodies (BDIH, COSMEBIO, ECOCERT, ICEA, Soil Association). Scope: Cosmetics and personal care products. Two standards: COSMOS Organic (minimum 95% organic content of agri-ingredients) and COSMOS Natural. Verification: COSMOS certification database. Tier: Platinum. |
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| BPC-003 | Leaping Bunny (Cruelty-Free International) Certification Issuing Authority: Cruelty Free International (UK) / Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics (CCIC — US/Canada). Scope: Cosmetics, personal care, and household products; no animal testing at any stage of production. Verification: Leaping Bunny approved company database (leapingbunny.org). Tier: Platinum. |
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| BPC-004 | PETA Beauty Without Bunnies (Cruelty-Free) Issuing Authority: PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals). Scope: Cosmetics, personal care, household products; company-wide commitment to no animal testing. Two lists: cruelty-free; and vegan + cruelty-free. Verification: PETA Beauty Without Bunnies database. Tier: Gold. |
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| BPC-005 | Ecocert Cosmos Organic — France/Global Issuing Authority: Ecocert Greenlife. Scope: Cosmetics, personal care products. COSMOS-certified organic and natural formulations. Verification: Ecocert certificate lookup. Tier: Platinum. |
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| BPC-006 | Vegan Society Registered Trademark Issuing Authority: The Vegan Society (UK). Scope: Registered trademark for products free from animal ingredients and not tested on animals. Applicable to food, cosmetics, textiles, household goods. Verification: Vegan Society registered trademark database. Tier: Gold. |
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5.3.8 Food, Beverage & Nutrition Certifications [ TIER 1 — PLATINUM / TIER 2 — GOLD ]
| FBV-001 | Non-GMO Project Verified Issuing Authority: Non-GMO Project (North America). Scope: Food and beverage products in North America; verified against risk-assessment based standard for avoidance of genetically engineered ingredients. Verification: Non-GMO Project product database (nongmoproject.org). Tier: Platinum. |
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| FBV-002 | Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Blue Fish Label Issuing Authority: Marine Stewardship Council; certification by MSC-accredited certification bodies. Scope: Wild-caught seafood; sustainable fisheries management and chain of custody. Verification: MSC certified products database (msc.org). Tier: Platinum. |
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| FBV-003 | Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) Certification Issuing Authority: Aquaculture Stewardship Council; certification by ASC-accredited bodies. Scope: Farmed seafood products; responsible aquaculture standards. Verification: ASC certified products database (asc-aqua.org). Tier: Platinum. |
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| FBV-004 | Halal Certification — Multiple Bodies Issuing Authority: Recognized halal certification bodies including ISNA (Islamic Society of North America), IFANCA (Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America), MUI (Majelis Ulama Indonesia), JAKIM (Malaysia), ESMA (UAE), GSO (Gulf Standards Organization), and SANHA (South Africa). Scope: Food, beverages, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals. Verification: Direct confirmation with issuing body; cross-reference against national halal directories. Tier: Platinum (JAKIM, MUI, ESMA accredited bodies) / Gold (other recognized bodies). |
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| FBV-005 | Kosher Certification — Multiple Bodies Issuing Authority: Recognized kosher certification agencies including OU (Orthodox Union), OK Kosher, Star-K, KOF-K, MK (Canada), Kof-K Kosher Supervision, and others. Scope: Food and beverage products. Verification: Direct confirmation with issuing agency; cross-reference against agency kosher product lists. Tier: Platinum (OU, OK, Star-K) / Gold (other recognized agencies). |
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| FBV-006 | Rainforest Alliance for Coffee, Tea & Cocoa Issuing Authority: Rainforest Alliance. Scope: Coffee, tea, cocoa, bananas, and other agricultural products from RA-certified farms. Verification: Rainforest Alliance certificate database. Tier: Platinum. |
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5.3.9 Energy, Carbon & Climate Certifications [ TIER 1 — PLATINUM / TIER 2 — GOLD ]
| CLM-001 | Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) — Approved Target Issuing Authority: Science Based Targets initiative (CDP, UN Global Compact, WRI, WWF). Scope: Corporate greenhouse gas emission reduction targets validated as consistent with limiting global warming to 1.5°C. Vendors with SBTi-approved targets receive prominence in AqNova's climate-positive vendor category. Verification: SBTi company database (sciencebasedtargets.org). Tier: Platinum. |
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| CLM-002 | Carbon Trust Standard Issuing Authority: Carbon Trust (UK). Scope: Products, services, and organizations with independently verified carbon footprints and committed reduction trajectories. Three marks: Measuring Carbon; Reducing Carbon; Carbon Neutral. Verification: Carbon Trust Standards database. Tier: Gold. |
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| CLM-003 | Climate Neutral Certified (Climate Neutral) Issuing Authority: Climate Neutral (US non-profit). Scope: Brands that have measured, offset, and committed to reducing their full carbon footprint annually. Verification: Climate Neutral certified brand database. Tier: Gold (with verified offset documentation). |
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| CLM-004 | Gold Standard for the Global Goals — Carbon Credits Issuing Authority: Gold Standard Foundation (Geneva). Scope: Carbon credit projects with co-benefits for the SDGs; highest-quality voluntary carbon offsets. AqNova uses Gold Standard for any Platform-level carbon offset purchases. Verification: Gold Standard Impact Registry. Tier: Platinum (for carbon offset claims). |
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5.3.11 Packaging, Circular Economy & Waste Certifications [ TIER 1 — PLATINUM / TIER 2 — GOLD ]
| PKG-001 | How2Recycle Label — United States & Canada Issuing Authority: Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC). Scope: Standardized on-package recycling communication for North American markets. Levels: Widely Recyclable; Check Locally; Store Drop-Off; Don't Recycle. Verification: SPC How2Recycle member database. Tier: Gold. |
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| PKG-002 | WRAP (UK) Packaging Certification Issuing Authority: Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP, UK). Scope: Packaging recyclability and recycled content claims in the UK market. Informs UK Plastics Pact compliance. Verification: WRAP certification database. Tier: Gold. |
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| PKG-003 | OK Compost / Din CERTCO Compostable Issuing Authority: Vinçotte (Belgium) / DIN CERTCO (Germany). Scope: Industrial compostable packaging and materials meeting EN 13432 / ASTM D6400 standards. Verification: Vinçotte/DIN CERTCO product database. Tier: Platinum. |
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| PKG-004 | Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) Certification — North America Issuing Authority: Biodegradable Products Institute. Scope: Compostable packaging and foodservice products meeting ASTM D6400/D6868 standards. Verification: BPI certified products list (bpiworld.org). Tier: Platinum. |
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5.3.12 Regional Regulatory & Safety Certifications [ TIER 2 — GOLD / TIER 3 — SILVER ]
| Registry Code | Certification Name | Issuing Authority | Tier |
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| REG-001 | CE Marking (EU) | European Commission via Notified Bodies (NB) | Gold |
| REG-002 | UKCA Mark (UK) | UK Government via approved bodies | Gold |
| REG-003 | INMETRO Certification (Brazil) | INMETRO via accredited OCP bodies | Gold |
| REG-004 | NAFDAC Registration (Nigeria) | National Agency for Food and Drug Administration | Gold |
| REG-005 | SON Certification Mark (Nigeria) | Standards Organisation of Nigeria | Gold |
| REG-006 | KEBS Diamond Mark (Kenya) | Kenya Bureau of Standards | Gold |
| REG-007 | GSA Mark (Ghana) | Ghana Standards Authority | Gold |
| REG-008 | NRCS Compulsory Spec Mark (South Africa) | National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications | Gold |
| REG-009 | BIS Certification Mark (India) | Bureau of Indian Standards | Gold |
| REG-010 | PSI / PSRB Mark (Pakistan) | Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority | Silver |
| REG-011 | SNI Mark (Indonesia) | Badan Standardisasi Nasional (BSN) | Gold |
| REG-012 | TGA Registration (Australia — TGA) | Therapeutic Goods Administration | Platinum (TGA) |
| REG-013 | Health Canada NPN (Natural Health Products) | Health Canada | Gold |
| REG-014 | TIS Mark (Thailand) | Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI) | Silver |
| REG-015 | KC Mark (South Korea) | Korea Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS) | Gold |
| REG-016 | PSE Mark (Japan) | Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) | Gold |
| REG-017 | GCC G-Mark (Gulf Cooperation Council) | Gulf Standardization Organization (GSO) | Gold |
5.4 Vendor Certification Submission & Verification Process
AqNova operates a rigorous, multi-step process for registering and verifying vendor certifications. No certification badge is displayed on the Platform without successful completion of all applicable steps in this process. The process is designed to prevent greenwashing, protect buyers from misleading claims, and ensure full legal compliance with applicable green claims regulations globally.
5.4.1 Step-by-Step Submission Process
| Step | Action Required | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Step 1 — Account Prerequisite | Vendor must hold an active, verified AqNova vendor account in good standing. Certification submissions are not accepted from unverified or suspended accounts. | Pre-condition |
| Step 2 — Access Certification Portal | Vendor logs into AqNova Vendor Dashboard > Compliance & Certifications > New Certification Submission. | Immediate |
| Step 3 — Select Registry Code | Vendor selects the applicable certification from the Master Catalogue (Section 5.3) using the Registry Code. If the certification is not listed, vendor initiates a New Certification Application (Section 5.5). | Day 1 |
| Step 4 — Upload Certificate Document | Vendor uploads: (a) the full certification certificate in PDF format; (b) any applicable scope of certification document; and (c) for chain-of-custody certifications, the CoC certificate. Documents must be current, legible, and in the name of the correct legal entity. | Day 1 |
| Step 5 — Provide Certification Body Details | Vendor provides: name of the certifying organization; certificate number; issue date; expiry date; and contact information for the certification body. | Day 1 |
| Step 6 — Specify Product Scope | Vendor specifies which of their listed products the certification covers. The badge will only be displayed on listed products within the certified scope. | Day 1 |
| Step 7 — Compliance Team Review | AqNova's Certification Compliance team: (a) cross-references the certificate against the certifying body's public database; (b) contacts the certification body directly for Tier 1/Platinum certifications; (c) checks scope alignment against listed products; and (d) verifies expiry date and entity name. | 3–7 Business Days |
| Step 8 — Approval or Request for Information | AqNova approves the certification, requests additional information, or declines with a written explanation. Approved certifications are entered into the public Registry and badge appears on applicable listings. | 1–2 Business Days after review |
| Step 9 — Registry Publication | Approved certification entry is published on the public Registry with: Registry Code; certification name; vendor name; certified product scope; issuing body; issue date; expiry date; Registry Tier; and verification timestamp. | Within 24 hours of approval |
| Step 10 — Expiry Monitoring & Renewal | AqNova sends automated renewal reminders to vendors at 90, 60, and 30 days before certification expiry. Vendors must submit renewal certificates before expiry. Expired certifications are automatically suspended from the Registry and badge removed from listings. | Ongoing |
5.4.2 Verification Methods by Tier
| Registry Tier | Verification Method |
|---|---|
| Tier 1 — Platinum | Active certificate cross-referenced against certifying body's publicly accessible database OR direct written confirmation from the certifying body. AqNova Compliance team documents the verification source, date, and officer. Re-verified annually. |
| Tier 2 — Gold | Document review against submitted certificate. Cross-reference against certifying body's database where publicly available. Direct contact with certifying body for certificates not verifiable through public databases. |
| Tier 3 — Silver | Document review of submitted certificate. Direct contact with issuing national body. AqNova may request supporting evidence (audit reports, inspection certificates) where the certifying body database is not publicly accessible. |
| Tier 4 — Bronze | Review of submitted supporting documentation (test reports, internal audit reports, self-declaration statements). AqNova Compliance notes that the claim is self-declared. Bronze listings include a visible self-declared notation visible to buyers. |
5.4.3 Certification Suspension & Removal
A vendor certification entry will be immediately suspended from public display (badge removed from all applicable listings) in the following circumstances:
The certification reaches its stated expiry date without a renewal submission from the vendor.
The certifying body notifies AqNova of certificate withdrawal, suspension, or scope reduction.
AqNova's periodic re-verification finds the certificate is no longer listed in the certifying body's database.
The vendor's legal entity name changes without a corresponding certificate update.
A third-party complaint is received and substantiated that the certification was fraudulently obtained or misrepresented.
The vendor's AqNova account is suspended or terminated.
Suspended certifications are removed from the public Registry within 24 hours of the suspension trigger. Vendors will be notified by email with the reason for suspension and the process for reinstatement. Reinstatement requires resubmission with a valid, current certificate document.
5.5 New Certification Application — Unlisted Certifications
If a vendor holds a certification not currently listed in the Master Catalogue (Section 5.3), they may apply to have it assessed for inclusion through the New Certification Application process.
5.5.1 Assessment Criteria
AqNova evaluates unlisted certifications against the following criteria:
Independence: The certifying body must be independent of the applicant. Self-certification or certifications issued by industry associations without independent third-party auditing do not qualify for Tier 1 or Tier 2 recognition.
Accreditation: The certifying body must hold accreditation from a recognized accreditation body, such as ILAC (International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation) member bodies, IAF (International Accreditation Forum) member bodies, national accreditation bodies (UKAS, DAkkS, COFRAC, JAB, NATA, SANAS, etc.), or IFOAM (for organic certifications).
Transparency: The certification standard must be publicly available and the certifying body must maintain a publicly accessible database of current certificate holders.
Rigor: The standard must involve a documented and auditable set of requirements covering the sustainability, ethical, safety, or quality claims associated with the certification.
Currency: The certification must be currently active and recognized by the relevant industry or regulatory authority in its home jurisdiction.
5.5.2 Process & Timeline
New Certification Applications are submitted to certifications@aqnova.co with the subject line "New Certification Application — [Certification Name]". AqNova will acknowledge receipt within 3 Business Days and complete the assessment within 20 Business Days. Applicants will be notified of the outcome, the assigned Tier level (if approved), and the Registry Code. Approved certifications are added to the Master Catalogue in the next quarterly update.
5.6 Anti-Greenwashing Policy & Enforcement Framework
Greenwashing — the practice of making false, misleading, exaggerated, or unsubstantiated environmental and sustainability claims — is one of the most significant threats to consumer trust in sustainable commerce and to the integrity of the AqNova Platform. AqNova takes an active, enforcement-oriented approach to greenwashing prevention, going materially beyond passive disclosure.
5.6.1 Prohibited Claims & Representations
The following claims and representations on AqNova product listings are prohibited without Registry-approved certification or documented substantiation:
Unqualified environmental claims: "eco-friendly," "green," "environmentally safe," "sustainable," "planet-friendly," "earth-friendly" — without specific, substantiated basis.
Unqualified organic claims: "organic," "all-natural organic," "certified organic" — without valid organic certification under an applicable national or international organic standard.
False carbon neutrality claims: "carbon neutral," "net zero," "carbon positive," "climate positive" — without an independently verified carbon accounting methodology, documented offsets from recognized offset registries (Gold Standard, Verra VCS, American Carbon Registry), and a credible reduction trajectory.
Biodegradable claims without qualification: "biodegradable" or "fully biodegradable" without specifying the conditions (industrial composting, home composting, soil, marine), the timeframe, and the testing standard.
"Natural" claims: While "natural" has no single legal definition, AqNova prohibits use of "natural" claims that are materially misleading about the synthetic content of the product.
False certification badges: Displaying any certification logo, badge, or seal not registered in the AqNova Certification Registry and not currently held by the vendor.
Expired certification badges: Displaying a certification badge after the corresponding Registry entry has been suspended due to expiry.
Misleading comparative claims: "greener than competitors," "most sustainable product in its category," "lowest carbon footprint" — without documented comparative methodology.
5.6.2 Enforcement Actions
AqNova applies a tiered enforcement response to greenwashing violations:
| Violation Severity | Enforcement Response |
|---|---|
| Minor — First Occurrence (e.g., imprecise claim language) | Written notice to vendor; mandatory correction of listing within 5 Business Days; listing temporarily hidden until corrected. |
| Moderate — Unsubstantiated Claim (e.g., eco claim without documentation) | Mandatory removal of claim from listing within 24 hours; written warning recorded in vendor file; listing suspension if not corrected; vendor required to submit substantiating documentation. |
| Serious — False Certification Badge Display (e.g., displaying a badge not in the Registry) | Immediate listing removal; formal written Notice of Violation; vendor account review; requirement to undergo re-verification of all certifications; 30-day listing ban for affected products. |
| Severe — Fraudulent Certificate Submission (e.g., forged, altered, or invalid certificate) | Immediate account suspension; permanent removal of all certification badges; referral to relevant regulatory authority (FTC, CMA, EU national enforcement authority, Competition Bureau Canada, or other applicable body); potential civil and criminal referral. |
| Systemic — Pattern of Greenwashing Across Multiple Listings | Permanent account termination; forfeiture of outstanding payouts subject to applicable law; public disclosure of enforcement action on AqNova's Greenwashing Enforcement Log (see Section 5.6.3). |
5.6.3 Greenwashing Enforcement Log
AqNova maintains a public Greenwashing Enforcement Log, published at [aqnova.co/certification-registry/enforcement-log], listing all enforcement actions taken at the Serious, Severe, and Systemic levels. The Log records: the nature of the violation (without identifying individual buyers); the product category; the jurisdiction; the enforcement action taken; and the date of resolution. This Log serves as a deterrent, a transparency mechanism, and a resource for consumers and regulators.
Vendor names are included in the Enforcement Log only in cases of confirmed fraud or where the relevant regulatory authority has issued a public notice. In all other cases, vendor identity is protected unless required to be disclosed by applicable law.
5.6.4 Third-Party Greenwashing Reports
Any buyer, competitor, civil society organization, researcher, or member of the public may submit a greenwashing concern to AqNova at greenwatching@aqnova.co. AqNova will acknowledge all substantive reports within 3 Business Days and complete an investigation within 15 Business Days. Report submitters will be notified of the outcome (though vendor identity will be protected in the response). Anonymous reports are accepted and will be investigated on their merits.
5.7.1 Public Registry Portal
The AqNova Certification Registry is a fully public, searchable database accessible at aqnova.co/certification-registry without account creation or login. The public portal allows any user to:
Search for any vendor by name to view all active certifications in the Registry.
Search by certification type or Registry Code to identify all vendors holding a specific certification.
Search by product category to find all listings in that category carrying Registry-verified certifications.
View the full Registry entry for any certification, including: certification name; issuing body; certificate scope; issue date; expiry date; verification date; and Registry Tier.
Access the Greenwashing Enforcement Log.
Submit a greenwashing report or a New Certification Application.
5.7.2 Product Listing Badge Display Standards
Certified products display certification badges on their listing page in accordance with the following display standards:
Platinum Tier badges: Displayed prominently in the product information panel with the AqNova Verified shield icon and the certification name. Hovering over or tapping the badge reveals a pop-up with the full Registry entry details and a link to the public Registry.
Gold Tier badges: Displayed in the product information panel with a verified checkmark icon. Registry entry accessible via badge tap/hover.
Silver Tier badges: Displayed with a reviewed notation. Badge includes a tooltip noting the certification is regionally recognized.
Bronze Tier badges: Displayed with a self-declared notation in smaller type. Tooltip notes this is a self-declared certification supported by documentation held by AqNova.
AqNova prohibits vendors from displaying certification logos directly in product images or marketing copy for certifications that are not entered in the Registry, consistent with the terms of use of all major certification bodies and applicable green claims law.
5.7.3 Registry Data API
AqNova provides a public Registry Data API (application programming interface) at [aqnova.co/developer/certification-api] allowing researchers, NGOs, regulatory bodies, and third-party comparison platforms to access Registry data in machine-readable format. API access is free for non-commercial, research, and regulatory purposes; commercial use requires a data license agreement. The API returns: Registry Code; certification name; issuing body; certification tier; and current status (active/suspended/expired) for each registered entry.
5.8.1 Certification Advisory Board
The AqNova Certification Registry is governed with input from a Certification Advisory Board comprising:
AqNova's Chief Compliance Officer (or equivalent) — Chair.
Representatives from two to three recognized sustainability certification organizations (rotating membership, 2-year terms).
One independent sustainability standards expert (academic or civil society).
One representative from AqNova's vendor community (elected annually).
One consumer advocacy representative.
The Advisory Board meets quarterly to review: proposed additions to the Master Catalogue; proposed tier reclassifications; systemic greenwashing patterns; and the annual Registry Audit Report. Board meeting summaries are published on the Registry portal.
5.8.2 Annual Registry Audit
AqNova conducts an annual Registry Audit covering:
Verification of a random sample (minimum 15%) of all active Tier 1/Platinum and Tier 2/Gold certificates, re-verified against certifying body databases.
Review of all enforcement actions taken during the year and outcomes.
Assessment of any new greenwashing regulations enacted globally that affect the Registry's coverage or standards.
Update of the Master Catalogue to add newly recognized certifications and remove discontinued programs.
Review of the Tier classification of all certifications to reflect any changes in the credibility or rigor of the issuing bodies.
The Annual Registry Audit Report is published publicly at [aqnova.co/certification-registry/audit-report] within 60 days of the audit completion, by September 30 each year.
5.8.3 Registry Policy Review Cycle
This Certification Registry Policy is reviewed annually. Material amendments — including changes to the Master Catalogue, Tier classifications, verification requirements, and enforcement framework — are approved by the Certification Advisory Board and effective upon publication with 30 days' advance notice to all vendors holding affected certifications.
5.9 Contacts, Submission Channels & Registry Links
| AqNova Certification Registry — Contact Directory Certification Submissions & Renewals: certifications@aqnova.co New Certification Applications: certifications@aqnova.co [Subject: New Cert Application] Greenwashing Reports: greenwatching@aqnova.co Certification Disputes & Appeals: certappeals@aqnova.co Certification Advisory Board: certboard@aqnova.co Registry Data API & Licensing: developer@aqnova.co General Compliance Inquiries: compliance@aqnova.co Legal & Regulatory: legal@aqnova.com PUBLIC REGISTRY PORTAL: aqnova.co/certification-registry GREENWASHING ENFORCEMENT LOG: aqnova.co/certification-registry/enforcement-log ANNUAL AUDIT REPORT: aqnova.co/certification-registry/audit-report REGISTRY DATA API: aqnova.co/developer/certification-api MASTER CATALOGUE PDF: aqnova.co/certification-registry/catalogue Registered Office: Arivon Holding Corporation C/O Arivon Holding Corporation, 2571 Saturn Avenue, Unit #265 Huntington Park, CA 90255, USA |
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AqNova Marketplace | Global Legal Footer Framework | Section 5: Certification Registry
© 2026 Arivon Holding Corporation. All rights reserved. Effective April 7, 2026. Version 1.0.
This Registry is a living document updated quarterly. Always verify certification currency at aqnova.co/certification-registry. This document does not constitute legal advice.