Style guide for the QS certification mark
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QS Qualität und Sicherheit GmbH is the owner of the trademarked QS
certification mark and the slogan ‘QS. Ihr Prüfsystem für Lebensmittel.’
(QS. Quality scheme for food).
The QS certification mark is a conformity mark
which has been entered in the trade mark regis-
ter of the German Patent and Trade Mark Office
in Munich, the Office for Harmonization in the
Internal Market in Alicante and the World Intel-
lectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva
and is protected by trademark law.
Right to use the QS certification mark
The QS certification mark may only be used by
QS Qualität und Sicherheit GmbH scheme parti-
cipants and their subsidiaries, by authorised cer-
tification bodies and coordinators and approved
laboratories. They are awarded the right to use
the mark individually by means of a scheme
contract or framework agreement with QS.
Agricultural businesses and food retail branches
do not make any direct contractual agreements
with QS; they participate in the QS scheme via
coordinators. The right to use the QS certificati-
on mark is awarded to them individually and on
request by their coordinator.
The QS certification mark may not be used
without the advance written authorisation of QS
Qualität und Sicherheit GmbH or a coordinator
empowered to award sub-licences. Unauthorised
depiction of the QS certification mark is prohi-
bited. QS reserves the right to take legal action
against anyone who depicts, reproduces or uses
the marks of QS Qualität und Sicherheit GmbH in
any other way without express advance authori-
sation to do so.
Use in advertising
The QS certification mark can be used by those
authorised to do so for depiction on products
and packaging materials and on bills of deli-
very or accompanying documents. Use without
a direct reference to a product is permitted in
online communication, as a corporate identity
element (letterhead, image brochures etc.) and
on advertising materials of all kinds.
Utilisation fees
The fees charged to scheme participants, certifi-
cation bodies and laboratories include the right to
use the QS certification mark. A separate licence
fee is not charged.
Corporate symbol
The QS certification mark may only be used without the blue
frame line by QS Qualität und Sicherheit GmbH and its sub-
sidiaries. It serves the company as a corporate symbol.
2. Ownership and utilisation rights
