Certification governance
WWEC Certification Policy
The certification policy governs how the WWEC scheme is operated, how certification status is controlled, and how certificates, marks and verification records are managed.
Scope
What this policy covers.
The policy applies to all WWEC certification and recognition activities that are governed by the WWEC scheme, including the flagship WWEC Women-Centred Workplace™ Certification and the approved assessment packages and service offerings that support organisations through the certification process. These packages do not create separate certifications.
- Certification application, eligibility, scope and agreement.
- Assessment, scoring, technical review and certification decision.
- Certificate issue, mark use, public verification and status control.
- Suspension, reinstatement, withdrawal and renewal.
- Complaints, appeals and conflict-of-interest handling.
- Roles and responsibilities of WWEC, assessors and certified organisations.
- Confidentiality and data-protection obligations.
- Record retention and audit requirements.
- Changes to the policy, scheme and certification requirements.
- Reference to applicable standards, codes and legal obligations.
Status lifecycle
Certification status is controlled and public.
Certification status is not a one-time achievement. It is maintained through a controlled lifecycle with public verification.
Active
Renewal Due
Renewed
Suspended
Reinstated
Withdrawn
Active
Certification is valid and the mark may be used within scope.
Renewal Due
The organisation is notified and must complete renewal before expiry.
Renewed
Renewal is approved; the certificate returns to Active with a new validity period.
Suspended
Certification is temporarily paused; mark use is restricted.
Reinstated
A suspended certification may be reinstated if the organisation resolves the issue within the applicable period and satisfies the reinstatement conditions.
Withdrawn
Certification is withdrawn if the issue is not resolved, the organisation requests withdrawal, or serious scheme non-compliance occurs. The public record is updated.
Certificate & mark controls
How the certificate and mark are managed.
Every certificate and mark use is subject to controlled rules that protect the integrity of the scheme and the value of the certification.
- Certificates are issued only for the defined scope and validity period.
- The WWEC Women-Centred Workplace mark may be used only within the approved scope and while certification is Active.
- Certification status and scope are published for public verification.
- Misuse of the mark may lead to corrective action, suspension or withdrawal.
- Organisations must report material changes that could affect certification scope or eligibility.
- Where continued conformity is required during the certification validity period, the applicable WWEC certification scheme shall define the nature, frequency and extent of surveillance or other continuing-conformity activities. Where surveillance is not applicable, the scheme shall state the basis on which continued certification is controlled.
The WWEC certification policy applies to the private WWEC Workplace Excellence assessment and certification scheme. It does not create or imply any government, United Nations or ISO accreditation status unless a separate official status has actually been obtained and can be substantiated.
Need to understand the full rules?
The Certification Policy, Certification Rules and Certification Mark Rules work together to keep the scheme transparent and controlled.
Policy
Rules that apply to every applicant.
Certification policy sets out eligibility, scope, validity and the obligations that follow certification.