Misuse, Misrepresentation & Enforcement
Qelvea Refined Finish Index™
The integrity of the Qelvea Refined Finish Index™ (RFI) depends on accurate representation and honest participation.
Qelvea Standards takes misuse of the standard seriously and applies proportionate, documented enforcement where required.
What Counts as Misuse or Cheating
Misuse includes, but is not limited to:
❌ Misrepresentation
- claiming accreditation when it has not been granted
- continuing to reference accreditation after expiry or withdrawal
- exaggerating accreditation level
- describing the RFI as statutory, regulatory, or government-approved
❌ Evidence Misconduct
- submitting work that is not your own
- using heavily altered or misleading images
- presenting isolated “best” outcomes as representative practice
- falsifying timelines or in-wear results
❌ Licensed Use Violations
- using RFI marks without permission
- modifying approved wording or marks
- transferring accreditation or marks to another party
- using accreditation outside the approved scope
How Misuse Is Identified
Misuse may be identified through:
- assessment or renewal review
- public or peer reports
- inconsistencies in evidence
- monitoring of public claims
- internal audit
Reports are reviewed confidentially.
Enforcement Approach
Qelvea Standards applies a graduated, proportionate response.
1️⃣ Clarification Request
Used where issues appear unintentional or minor.
- written clarification requested
- corrective action guidance provided
- time-limited response window
2️⃣ Formal Warning
Issued where misuse is confirmed but correctable.
- written notice issued
- misuse must be corrected immediately
- future compliance monitored
3️⃣ Suspension
Applied where misuse is material or repeated.
- accreditation temporarily suspended
- licensed use must cease
- public register listing removed
- reinstatement subject to review
4️⃣ Withdrawal
Applied where misuse is deliberate, serious, or persistent.
- accreditation withdrawn
- all references to the RFI must cease immediately
- public register entry removed
- reapplication may be restricted or refused
No compensation is payable following withdrawal.
Appeals
Where enforcement action is taken, the affected party may submit an appeal in accordance with the published Appeals Process.
Appeals must:
- be submitted in writing
- reference specific facts or criteria
- not rely on commercial or reputational impact
Appeals do not suspend enforcement unless explicitly stated.
Public Protection Measures
To protect the standard:
- withdrawn or expired accreditations are removed from the register
- misuse may be publicly corrected where necessary
- repeated misuse may result in permanent ineligibility
Why Enforcement Matters
The RFI exists to:
- protect professional credibility
- ensure fair recognition
- prevent dilution of standards
- maintain trust with clients and practitioners
Enforcement protects those who apply the standard correctly.
The Qelvea Refined Finish Index™
Integrity maintained through accountability.