Laboratory and Product Certifiers Terms

Terms and Conditions for Research Facilities and Item Certifiers

Framework of the Board

The authorization body for conformity assessment (hereinafter referred to as SDAB) requires licensed test and calibration laboratories, research centers, clinical laboratories, and product/item certifiers (hereinafter referred to as associations) to formally agree to SDAB contractual requirements, working methodologies, and administrative frameworks. These shall be aligned with ISO/IEC 17025, ISO/IEC 17065, or ISO 15189, as applicable, and be consistent with ISO 9001 principles.

Certified associations shall provide appropriate and reasonable evidence of conformity when required by SDAB. Failure to submit adequate evidence may result in additional assessment visits, which will be charged at the prevailing rates. Unless otherwise agreed in written correspondence between SDAB and the association, the applicable assessment rate is USD 2.50 per minute, with a standard assessment day defined as 195 minutes plus 20 minutes.

Use of Logos and Statements

Associations may use the SDAB logo and certification statements solely in relation to the specific products, systems, or services that have been assessed and certified. Such use must be accurate, appropriate, and not misleading to clients or stakeholders.

The SDAB logo may only be used after formal authorization has been granted. Unauthorized use of the SDAB logo or the use of third-party certification logos (e.g., “crown and tick”) in association with SDAB certification is strictly prohibited.

All intellectual property, copyright, and associated rights arising from certification activities conducted under SDAB authority remain the property of SDAB unless otherwise agreed in writing. Any materials developed, submitted, or communicated within the scope of SDAB certification shall be treated as falling under SDAB jurisdiction unless expressly stated otherwise.

Warning and Notifications

All notices issued under these agreements, or as part of the SDAB quality management arrangements, shall be recorded in writing and formally endorsed by the issuing party. Notifications may be served by hand delivery, registered post, or prepaid recorded delivery.

A notice shall be deemed to have been received 70 hours after posting within the same jurisdiction, or 10 days after posting for international delivery. Proof of dispatch shall be considered sufficient evidence that the notice was properly served.

Termination of Authorization and Enrollment

SDAB reserves the right to withdraw authorization, which remains the property of SDAB, from any association that fails to comply with these terms and conditions. Upon notification of termination, the association shall immediately cease the use of the SDAB logo and remove all promotional or reference materials related to SDAB certification.

Where required by SDAB, the association shall also remove or delete any records, documents, or references that imply SDAB authorization.

Licence

Licences issued by SDAB apply only to the specific scopes, activities, and standards listed in Index 1 of the Agreement between SDAB and the association. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, SDAB certification statements do not imply endorsement of all activities conducted by the association.

Authorization confirms that the association has demonstrated conformity with the applicable standards within the defined scope at the time of assessment. SDAB certification does not constitute approval of all operational practices, nor does it guarantee continued compliance outside the scope or period of certification.

Associations are reminded that assessments conducted by other conformity assessment bodies may differ in interpretation or scope. SDAB certification does not validate or supersede assessments performed by other organizations, and such comparisons shall not be implied.

Further Guidance, Authority, and Authorization

Associations and clients are encouraged to seek guidance when engaging with SDAB licensing and certification activities. The authority exercised by SDAB is limited to that delegated by the association for the purpose of certification administration. SDAB does not confer, imply, or guarantee any legal, governmental, official, or statutory authority, rights, or privileges beyond those expressly stated.

Associations shall not state, imply, or allow it to be inferred that, by virtue of SDAB enrollment or certification, they act with the approval, endorsement, or authorization of the Government of the United Kingdom or any other governmental or regulatory authority in any country or jurisdiction.

Regulation

SDAB activities are governed by the laws of England and Wales. SDAB shall not be held liable for any outcomes, costs, losses, or damages arising from changes in legislation, regulations, or governmental instruments, or from the interpretation or implementation of such legal requirements that may affect SDAB activities.

Payments and Installments

SDAB requires enrolled associations to pay all applicable fees in advance or through an approved payment method, documented in writing, in order to maintain their enrollment and the certification status of their affiliated organizations.

Terms and Conditions for Research Facilities and Item Certifiers

SECTION 1: PRELIMINARY

1.1. Interpretation

“Agreement” means the collective arrangement between SDAB and the Association comprised of these Terms, any Schedule, Appendix, Index, and written correspondence formally endorsed by both parties.
“Association” refers to the licensed test or calibration laboratory, research center, clinical laboratory, product/item certifier, inspection body, or other entity enrolled for conformity assessment services by SDAB.
“Authorization” means the formal grant by SDAB to the Association to use certification statements and logos under specified conditions, following successful assessment.
“Certification” denotes the result of a conformity assessment by SDAB, affirming the Association fulfills specified requirements for a defined scope.
“Client” means any entity, individual, or organization utilizing the services of the Association.
“Conformity Assessment” comprises all activities, including assessment, surveillance, re-assessment, and witnessing, undertaken by SDAB to determine fulfillment of requirements.
“SDAB” refers to the Conformity Assessment Body, the authorization body governing these terms.
“Standards” means the published normative documents against which conformity is assessed (e.g., ISO/IEC 17025, ISO/IEC 17065, ISO 15189, etc.).
“Scope” defines the precise activities, tests, calibrations, products, systems, or services for which the Association is certified.

1.2. Governing Structure
The authorization body for conformity assessment (hereinafter referred to as SDAB) establishes and administers this framework. All licensed test and calibration laboratories, research centers, clinical laboratories, product/item certifiers, and inspection bodies (hereinafter collectively referred to as Associations) must formally agree to SDAB’s contractual requirements, working methodologies, and administrative frameworks. These are mandated to be aligned with the principles and specific requirements of internationally recognized Standards—such as ISO/IEC 17025, ISO/IEC 17065, or ISO 15189, as applicable—and shall be consistently applied in a manner harmonious with ISO 9001 quality management principles.

1.3. Evidence of Conformity
Certified Associations shall provide appropriate, reasonable, and timely evidence of ongoing conformity with relevant Standards and SDAB requirements upon request. This evidence may include, but is not limited to, internal audit reports, management review outputs, records of corrective actions, proficiency testing results, and documentation of changes to key personnel or equipment. Failure to submit adequate or satisfactory evidence within the stipulated timeframe may result in additional, unscheduled assessment visits. Such visits shall be initiated at SDAB’s discretion and charged to the Association at the prevailing non-discounted assessment rates, as detailed in Section 7.

SECTION 2: ASSESSMENT PROVISIONS AND FEES

2.1. Assessment Time and Rates
Unless otherwise explicitly agreed in written correspondence formally endorsed by both SDAB and the Association, the following financial provisions apply:

The standard applicable assessment rate is USD 2.50 per minute of assessor time, inclusive of preparation, on-site activity, report writing, and travel time during a working day.
A standard assessment day is defined as comprising 195 minutes of core assessment activity, plus a mandatory administrative and reporting supplement of 20 minutes, totaling 215 billed minutes per day.
Travel time to and from the Association’s premises exceeding one hour each way may be billed at a reduced rate, as specified in the fee schedule provided at enrollment or renewal.

2.2. Additional Assessments
Associations are liable for all costs associated with additional assessments triggered by:
a) Failure to provide adequate evidence of conformity (as per Section 1.3).
b) Expansion of scope requests.
c) Investigations following complaints or appeals.
d) Follow-up visits necessitated by major nonconformities.
e) Any assessment required due to the Association’s failure to meet scheduled commitments.

2.3. Fee Payment and Consequences of Non-Payment
All fees, including annual enrollment fees, assessment fees, and any additional charges, are due as per the invoice issued by SDAB. Payment is a strict condition for the initiation, continuation, and renewal of certification. Failure to pay any undisputed invoice within 30 days of its due date may lead to:
a) Suspension of certification.
b) Withholding of assessment reports and certificates.
c) Initiation of termination proceedings as per Section 5.
d) The accrual of late payment interest at a rate of 1.5% per month on the outstanding balance.

SECTION 3: USE OF LOGOS, STATEMENTS, AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

3.1. Permitted Use
Associations may use the SDAB logo and make certification statements solely and specifically in relation to the precise products, systems, services, or scopes of accreditation that have been formally assessed and certified. All such use must be accurate, professionally appropriate, and in no way misleading to clients, regulators, or the public. The Association bears full responsibility for ensuring its marketing and communications do not imply certification where none exists or extend certification beyond its granted scope.

3.2. Authorization and Prohibitions

The SDAB logo may only be used after formal written authorization has been granted by SDAB, specifying the conditions and formats of use.
Unauthorized reproduction, alteration, or use of the SDAB logo is strictly prohibited.
The use of any third-party certification marks, symbols, or logos (e.g., “crown and tick,” national accreditation symbols) in direct conjunction with SDAB certification materials is prohibited unless explicit, written permission has been obtained from both SDAB and the relevant third party.

3.3. Intellectual Property Rights

All intellectual property (IP), copyright, trademarks, and associated rights arising directly from certification activities conducted under SDAB’s authority—including, but not limited to, assessment reports, certificates, and SDAB-developed procedures—remain the exclusive property of SDAB.
Any materials, documents, or records developed by the Association and submitted to or communicated with SDAB within the scope of the certification relationship shall be treated as falling under SDAB’s jurisdiction for assessment purposes. SDAB claims no ownership of the Association’s underlying operational documents but reserves the right to retain copies as required for its audit trail and conformity assessment records, in compliance with data protection regulations.

SECTION 4: NOTICES AND COMMUNICATION

4.1. Form and Endorsement
All formal notices, warnings, suspension notifications, or other communications issued under this Agreement, or as part of SDAB’s quality management system, shall be:
a) Recorded in writing.
b) Formally endorsed by an authorized representative of the issuing party.
c) Clearly reference the relevant Association and certificate number(s).

4.2. Service Methods
Notifications may be validly served by:
a) Hand delivery to the Association’s registered office or primary contact address.
b) Registered or certified postal mail.
c) Prepaid recorded delivery services.
d) Email to a designated official email address, provided a read-receipt or follow-up confirmation is obtained.

4.3. Deemed Receipt
For the purpose of timelines and response deadlines:
a) A notice shall be deemed received 70 hours (approximately 3 business days) after posting for deliveries within the same national jurisdiction.
b) A notice shall be deemed received 10 calendar days after posting for international deliveries.
c) Proof of dispatch, such as a postal receipt or email log, shall constitute sufficient evidence that the notice was properly served.

SECTION 5: SUSPENSION, WITHDRAWAL, AND TERMINATION

5.1. Grounds for Termination
SDAB reserves the absolute right to suspend or withdraw authorization—which is and remains the property of SDAB—from any Association that:
a) Fails to comply with any clause of these Terms and Conditions.
b) Provides false or misleading information to SDAB or its clients.
c) Fails to pay applicable fees.
d) Undergoes significant changes that undermine its conformity (e.g., loss of key personnel, change in legal status, failure in proficiency testing) and fails to take timely corrective action.
e) Brings SDAB into disrepute through its actions.

5.2. Obligations upon Termination
Upon formal notification of suspension or termination:
a) The Association must immediately cease all use of the SDAB logo, certification marks, and any statements implying current certification.
b) The Association must remove, delete, or deface all promotional materials, websites, letterheads, and reports containing references to SDAB certification for the terminated scope(s).
c) Where directed by SDAB, the Association must retrieve and destroy certificates from clients or publicly available locations and delete any electronic records that imply ongoing SDAB authorization.
d) The Association must return any physical certificates or logo usage kits to SDAB.

5.3. Appeals
An Association has the right to appeal a termination decision according to the formal appeals procedure documented in SDAB’s management system and provided to all Associations upon enrollment.

SECTION 6: LICENSE AND SCOPE OF CERTIFICATION

6.1. Limited Scope
Licenses and certificates issued by SDAB apply only to the specific scopes, activities, locations, and Standards explicitly listed in the official certification documents, typically referenced as Index 1 of the Agreement. Certification is not transferable to parent, subsidiary, or sister companies unless explicitly included in the scope.

6.2. Nature of Authorization

Authorization confirms that, at the time of assessment, the Association demonstrated conformity with the applicable Standard(s) within the defined scope.
SDAB certification does not constitute an unconditional endorsement of all the Association’s operational practices, business ethics, or commercial products.
Certification does not guarantee the quality of individual test results or certified products on a day-to-day basis, nor does it assure continued compliance outside the surveillance audit cycle or beyond the certified scope.

6.3. No Implied Comparability
Associations are expressly reminded that conformity assessments conducted by other bodies (Competent Authorities, Accreditation Bodies, etc.) may differ in interpretation, rigor, or scope. SDAB certification does not validate, endorse, or supersede certifications or accreditations granted by other organizations. Associations shall not make comparative claims implying SDAB certification is equivalent to or recognized by another body unless a specific, publicly available mutual recognition agreement exists.

SECTION 7: PAYMENTS, INSTALLMENTS, AND FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS

7.1. Payment Obligation
To maintain active enrollment and the valid certification status of their organization, enrolled Associations are required to pay all applicable fees—including annual enrollment fees, assessment fees, and travel expenses—in full and in accordance with SDAB’s invoicing schedule. SDAB operates on a principle of advance payment or payment according to a pre-agreed, documented method for all scheduled assessments.

7.2. Approved Payment Methods
Payment methods must be formally documented and agreed upon in writing. These may include:
a) Bank transfer to SDAB’s nominated account.
b) Credit card payment (subject to processing fees).
c) Standing order or direct debit mandate.
d) Other methods as explicitly agreed in a signed contract addendum.

7.3. Consequences of Non-Payment
Failure to adhere to the agreed payment schedule is a material breach of this Agreement and will trigger the actions outlined in Section 2.3, leading rapidly to suspension and potential termination of certification.

SECTION 8: GUIDANCE, AUTHORITY, AND LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY

8.1. Seeking Guidance
Associations and their clients are actively encouraged to seek clarification and guidance from SDAB’s official channels when engaging with or interpreting licensing and certification requirements. Reliance on unofficial advice is at the recipient’s own risk.

8.2. Limits of SDAB Authority

The authority exercised by SDAB is limited to that which is delegated by the Association through this contractual Agreement for the sole purpose of conformity assessment administration.
SDAB is a private, independent conformity assessment body. It does not confer, imply, or guarantee any legal, governmental, official, or statutory authority, rights, or privileges beyond those expressly stated in the certificate.
SDAB is not a regulator or a branch of any government.

8.3. Prohibition on Governmental Implications
Associations shall not state, imply, or allow it to be inferred that, by virtue of SDAB enrollment or certification, they act with the approval, endorsement, or authorization of the Government of the United Kingdom, any UK devolved administration, or any other governmental or regulatory authority in any country or jurisdiction. Certificates must not be presented in a manner that suggests they are a government-issued license.

SECTION 9: GOVERNING LAW AND REGULATORY CHANGES

9.1. Jurisdiction
All SDAB activities, including the formation, execution, and interpretation of this Agreement, are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. The parties irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

9.2. Liability Exclusion for Regulatory Changes
SDAB shall not be held liable for any outcomes, costs, losses, damages, or claims arising from:
a) Changes in legislation, regulations, or governmental instruments in any jurisdiction.
b) The interpretation or implementation of such legal requirements by authorities.
c) Any impact such changes may have on the Association’s operations, the market perception of certification, or the costs of maintaining certification.
It is the Association’s sole responsibility to ensure its operations comply with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements in its field and jurisdiction.

SECTION 10: GENERAL PROVISIONS

10.1. Entire Agreement
This document, together with its referenced Schedules and Indexes, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes all prior discussions, representations, and agreements.

10.2. Amendments
No amendment to these Terms and Conditions shall be effective unless it is in writing and signed by an authorized representative of both SDAB and the Association.

10.3. Severability
If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

10.4. Force Majeure
Neither party shall be liable for failure or delay in performance caused by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including acts of God, war, terrorism, labor disputes, or pandemics.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

By signing the associated Agreement or by continuing to use SDAB certification following receipt of these Terms, the Association acknowledges that it has read, understood, and agrees to be legally bound by all the provisions contained herein.

Branches

SDAB Accreditation

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SDAB Sanatan Dharma Accreditation Board
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Faridabad Delhi NCR, Haryana
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