01 · Awards
Approval and Notification of Winners
Approval of winners: An establishment is considered an official winner once the final results have been approved through the approved procedures and officially announced. Notification of winners: Winners may be notified before the public announcement for the purpose of completing organisational and media arrangements, and they are required to keep the results confidential until the official announcement. Confirmation of details: The winning establishment must verify the accuracy of its trade name, category, ranking, contact details and any information that will appear on the certificate, the badge or official materials. Correction of details: The management must be informed of any error in the establishment's details within the specified period before the final materials are issued.
02 · Awards
Certificate and Badge
Winner's certificate: The winner receives an official certificate stating the name of the establishment, the category, the ranking and the year or cycle of the award. Official badge: The winner receives the approved digital badge associated with the category and ranking achieved.
03 · Awards
Validity Period
Badge validity period: The badge and the winner title are valid for one year only from the date the award is received. Start of the validity period: The one-year period begins from the official date the award is granted, not from the date the badge is downloaded or first used. Expiry: The validity of the winner title and badge expires automatically one year after the date the award is granted, unless the establishment obtains a new award in a subsequent cycle. Historical use: After the one-year period has ended, the establishment may refer to its previous win, provided that the year of the award is clearly stated and that it does not present itself as a current winner.
04 · Awards
Winner Profile and Register
Winner's digital profile: A page or digital profile may be created for the winner on the platform, including the establishment's details, category, ranking, year of the award and other approved information. Register of winners: Winners are included in the official and historical register of the award, and the continued appearance of an establishment in the register does not mean that the winner title remains valid.
05 · Awards
Use of the Badge
Use of the badge on the website: The winner may display the official badge on its website during its validity period in accordance with the identity usage guide. Social media: The badge may be used and the award announced through the establishment's official accounts during the validity period. Advertising materials: The winner may use the badge in advertising campaigns, printed materials and marketing materials in accordance with the approved terms. Premises and locations: The certificate or badge may be displayed at the establishment's premises or at the branch covered by the award during its validity period. Products and services: The badge may not be used in a manner suggesting that all of the establishment's products or services have received the award where the award relates only to a specific product, service or category. Branches: Where the award relates to a specific branch, the badge may not be used in a manner suggesting that all branches have achieved the same ranking. Subsidiaries: The right to use the award does not automatically extend to subsidiaries, sister companies or other brands belonging to the same owner.
06 · Awards
Changes to the Establishment
Transfer of ownership: If the ownership of the establishment changes materially during the validity period of the award, the management must be notified so that it can consider whether the right to use the badge continues. Change of trade name: The management must be notified when the establishment's trade name changes during the validity period of the award, so that records and materials can be updated where necessary. Change of activity: If the core activity, or the nature of the service or product that received the award, changes materially, the continued validity of the award may be reviewed. Closure of the establishment: If the establishment closes or permanently ceases the activity for which it received the award, its right to use the current badge may be terminated.
07 · Awards
Post-Award Monitoring
Decline in service level: Winning an award does not exempt the establishment from maintaining its level of service or quality during the validity period of the award. Post-award follow-up: Follow-up or verification may be carried out during the year following the granting of the award to ensure that the establishment continues to meet the basic requirements associated with the award. Complaints after the award: Serious and documented complaints received about a winning establishment may be reviewed if they relate to a violation that could affect its eligibility for the award to continue.
08 · Awards
Suspension and Withdrawal
Serious violations: If it is established that the winner has committed a material violation relating to its activity, integrity or the accuracy of its data, the award may be suspended or withdrawn in accordance with the approved procedures. Suspension of the award: The right to use the badge and title may be suspended temporarily while a material violation is being investigated. Withdrawal of the award: If a final decision is issued to withdraw the award, the establishment's right to use the associated badge and title ends immediately.
09 · Awards
Obligations on Expiry
Removal of the badge: Upon expiry of the validity period or withdrawal of the award, the winner must remove any use suggesting that the award is still valid. Old printed materials: The establishment must take reasonable steps to stop using old marketing materials that present the award as valid after its period has ended. Digital materials: Websites, digital accounts and online advertisements must be updated when the award period ends so that the previous win does not appear as a current ranking.
10 · Awards
Participation in the Next Cycle
Participation in the next cycle: The winner may participate again in the next cycle in order to retain the title or achieve a new ranking. No automatic renewal: The award or badge is not renewed automatically on account of a win in a previous cycle. Re-evaluation: The establishment must undergo a new evaluation according to the criteria of the new cycle in order to obtain a new award. Change in ranking: In the next cycle, the establishment may achieve a higher or lower ranking, or may not qualify, depending on the result of the new evaluation. Repeat winners: Establishments that win in several consecutive or multiple cycles may be highlighted in the historical register or in special recognition programmes.
11 · Awards
Media and Promotion
Media coverage: The names, images and logos of winners may be used in media materials relating to the announcement of results and the promotion of the award, in accordance with the approved terms and consents. Success stories: Success stories or interviews with winners may be prepared and published with their consent, helping to highlight outstanding practices across different sectors. Winner events: Winners may be invited to take part in events, sessions, programmes or initiatives associated with the award, during or after the award period.
12 · Awards
Value and Limits of the Award
No guarantee of commercial benefit: The award does not guarantee an increase in sales, revenue or number of customers, or any specific commercial outcome, for the winning establishment. Preserving the value of the award: All rights of winners and their use of the name, badge and title are subject to controls that preserve the credibility, value and independence of the award.
