Match the certificate to the claim
A certificate supports only the scope shown on it. A company-level approval may not cover every facility, product, process, crop, batch or destination, and an expired or superseded document should not be relied on.
- Issuer and verification method
- Certified legal entity and production site
- Product, process and stated scope
- Issue, expiry and current status
Separate system and shipment evidence
Management-system certificates, product certificates, certificates of analysis and shipment documents answer different questions. One should not be treated as a substitute for another.
- System or facility certification
- Product conformity or regulatory approval
- Lot-specific test results
- Origin, health or shipment documentation
Verify before using the claim
Confirm authenticity with the issuer or its official register where available. Check that names, addresses, licence numbers, product descriptions and dates are consistent with the quotation and transaction documents.
- Do not rely on a cropped logo or screenshot
- Resolve spelling, address and scope differences
- Confirm destination acceptance separately