Legal & Regulatory Positioning Summary
The Qelvea Refined Finish Index™
This summary outlines the legal and regulatory position of the Qelvea Refined Finish Index™ (RFI) for partners and stakeholders.
1. What the RFI Is
The Qelvea Refined Finish Index™ is a private professional conformity framework administered by Qelvea Standards.
It exists to:
- define principles of refinement, wearability, and longevity
- assess submitted evidence against published criteria
- permit limited, licensed reference where conformity is demonstrated
The RFI evaluates outcomes, not qualifications, training, or regulatory compliance.
2. What the RFI Is Not
The RFI is not:
- a statutory or regulatory scheme
- a government-endorsed or industry-mandated standard
- a certification mark under the Trade Marks Act 1994
- a guarantee of outcomes or quality
It does not replace licensing, insurance, or legal obligations.
3. Use of the Term “Accreditation”
The term “accreditation” is used in its ordinary, non-statutory sense, meaning recognition against a defined private standard.
It does not imply:
- UKAS accreditation
- regulatory approval
- statutory authority
This usage aligns with common UK professional and commercial practice.
4. Licensing & Control
Reference to the RFI is permitted only under licence.
Licensed use is:
- non-exclusive
- non-transferable
- time-limited
- revocable
Licensed users must comply with:
- renewal requirements
- scope limitations
- accurate and proportionate representation
Misuse is actively monitored and enforced.
5. Consumer Protection & Advertising
Qelvea Standards takes reasonable steps to ensure:
- no misleading claims are made
- no implication of regulatory endorsement
- no consumer detriment
Licensed users are contractually prohibited from:
- describing the RFI as “regulated”, “approved”, or “certified”
- implying government or statutory authority
This supports compliance with UK consumer protection and advertising standards.
6. Fees & Enforcement
Unauthorised use may result in:
- enforcement action
- application of unauthorised use fees
Fees represent a genuine pre-estimate of administrative and reputational costs, not penalties, and may be adjusted or waived at discretion.
7. Governance & Accountability
Qelvea Standards maintains:
- independence from service delivery
- documented assessment and renewal processes
- proportional enforcement measures
- appeal mechanisms
This ensures clarity, fairness, and auditability.
8. Jurisdiction
All matters relating to the RFI are governed by the laws of England and Wales, with exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.
9. Partner Confidence Statement
The structure, language, and governance of the Qelvea Refined Finish Index™ are intentionally designed to:
- avoid regulatory confusion
- withstand scrutiny
- protect partners from reputational or compliance risk
Qelvea Standards
A private professional framework, governed with clarity, restraint, and accountability.