How to use SAC, ILAC, IAF Marks

General Conditions for Use of SAC Accreditation Marks

• When reference to SAC accreditation status is made by an accredited organisation using SAC accreditation marks, the Certificate Number issued to the accredited organisation shall be indicated. Specimens of the SAC accreditation marks are shown above, which include the logo, the accredited scheme and the certificate number.

• The accreditation marks must be reproduced in the official colours - red (Pantone 032C) and dark grey (Pantone 432C) - or in a single colour only. The font used for the certificate number is Arial. When an accredited organisation is accredited for more than 1 programme/field, the accredited organisation can choose to list all certificate numbers under 1 SAC mark, after obtaining approval from SAC in writing.

• The SAC accreditation mark may be uniformly enlarged or reduced, but shall not be less than 30mm in width and 15mm in height. The SAC accreditation mark shall always be used in its original, designed proportions and not to be distorted, compressed or stretched in any way. The certificate number must be readable. It shall be used on a background that will not impede readability and only be used in its normal horizontal orientation and not be rotated.

• An accredited organisation may use the SAC accreditation mark on publicity and other stationery materials such as brochures, business cards, letterhead paper, quotations, websites and vehicles. However, the use of the SAC accreditation mark or any reference to SAC accreditation in advertising and promotional publications shall be vetted and pre-approved by SAC.

• Please refer to SAC 02 - 22 Jan 2020: Rules for Use of SAC Accreditation Marks and MRA Marks for more information.

Use of Accredited CAB Combined ILAC MRA Mark by Accredited Laboratories and Inspection Bodies

• An accredited laboratory or inspection body is encouraged to use the Accredited CAB Combined ILAC MRA Mark to demonstrate that the laboratory or inspection body is accredited by a signatory of the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) Mutual Recognition Arrangement. The ILAC MRA Mark shall only be used in combination with the SAC accreditation mark, which is then known as the “Accredited CAB Combined ILAC MRA Mark”.

• The “Accredited CAB Combined ILAC MRA Mark” can be used on reports that deal solely with calibrations or tests/inspections covered under the terms of accreditation, business cards, communication tools, corporate stationery, event materials and displays and online applications such as websites.

• The ILAC MRA Mark may be reproduced in black and white or colour, provided the approved colours are used. Embossed, relief, or die-stamped versions are allowable.

• The ILAC MRA mark shall always be used in its original, designed proportions and not to be distorted, compressed or stretched in any way. It shall not appear in a size that renders the ILAC MRA words unreadable. It shall be used on a background that will not impede readability and only be used in its normal horizontal orientation and not be rotated. It shall maintain similar proportions to the SAC accreditation mark within the Accredited CAB Combined ILAC MRA Mark. The ILAC MRA mark must be based upon the original artwork to ensure high-quality production.

Use of IAF MLA Mark by Accredited Certification Bodies

• An accredited certification body is encouraged to use the IAF MLA Mark to demonstrate that it is accredited by a signatory of the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) Multilateral Recognition Arrangement. The IAF MLA Mark shall only be used in combination with the SAC Accreditation Mark which is then known as the “Combined Mark”.

• Accredited certification bodies must enter into a sublicensing agreement with SAC prior to the use of the “Combined Mark”. The coverage of the sublicense is restricted to the scope of the MLA for which SAC is a signatory of the IAF MLA and also restricted to the certification bodies’ scope of accreditation.

• The “Combined Mark” in conjunction with the certification body’s mark, can be used on letterheads, accredited certificates, quotations for work, advertisements, websites and other documents.

• The certification body shall not allow its customers to use the combined mark.

• The IAF MLA Mark shall be printed according to the following specifications:
  i. In black and white or in the colours Pantone 2747 (dark blue) Pantone 299 (light blue);
  ii. On a clearly contrasting background; and
  iii. In a size which makes all the words of the IAF MLA Mark clearly distinguishable, with the width of the IAF MLA Mark no less than 20mm for printed media and 75 pixels for digital media.

• Please refer to IAF ML-2 General Principles on the use of the IAF MLA Mark for more information on the IAF MLA mark and sublicense agreement.