Glossary (Definitions)
Qelvea Refined Finish Index™
This glossary explains key terms used across the Qelvea Refined Finish Index™ (RFI) website, policies, and documentation.
Definitions are provided to support clarity, consistency, and accurate understanding of a private professional standard.
Accreditation
Recognition granted under the Qelvea Refined Finish Index™ where submitted evidence demonstrates conformity with the published criteria.
Accreditation reflects alignment with a private professional standard only. It does not constitute certification, endorsement, or regulation.
Accreditation Level
A defined level of recognition indicating the degree of conformity demonstrated against the RFI criteria.
Levels include:
- RFI Conformant
- RFI Advanced
- RFI Signature
Levels do not imply ranking, superiority, or recommendation.
Accredited Scope
The specific services for which accreditation has been granted.
Accreditation applies only to the services listed within the defined scope and does not extend beyond them.
Applicant
An individual practitioner or studio that has submitted an application for accreditation under the RFI.
Submission of an application does not guarantee accreditation.
Assessment
The structured review of submitted outcome evidence against the published RFI criteria.
Assessment is outcome-led and evidence-based and does not evaluate training history, popularity, or stylistic preference.
Conformity
The extent to which submitted outcomes align with the published RFI criteria.
Conformity reflects how results are designed to wear over time, not how they appear on the day of treatment alone.
Governance
The systems, processes, and controls used by Qelvea Standards to ensure fair, consistent, and proportionate administration of the RFI.
Governance includes assessment oversight, conflict of interest management, enforcement, and appeals procedures.
Licensed Use
Permission granted to reference the Qelvea Refined Finish Index™ in accordance with published Licensed Use Terms.
Licensed use is:
- time-limited
- scope-limited
- non-transferable
Licensed use does not grant ownership of intellectual property.
Misuse
Any unauthorised, inaccurate, or misleading reference to the RFI, including use outside the permitted scope, period, or approved wording.
Misuse may result in enforcement action.
Outcome Evidence
Representative visual material submitted in support of an application, typically including before, immediate after, and in-wear images.
Outcome evidence is used to assess wearability, balance, and longevity.
Private Professional Standard
A non-statutory framework developed and administered independently to assess specific professional outcomes.
The RFI is a private professional standard and is not a regulatory or government-approved scheme.
Public Register
A published record of practitioners or studios holding current accreditation under the RFI, where applicable.
The Public Register is informational only and does not constitute endorsement or recommendation.
Renewal
The periodic process by which continued alignment with the RFI is confirmed.
Renewal is required to maintain accreditation and licensed use.
Suspension
A temporary pause of licensed use where issues require correction or review.
During suspension, references to the RFI must cease until resolved.
Unauthorised Use
Any reference to the RFI made without a valid licence or outside the permitted terms.
Unauthorised use may result in administrative fees or further enforcement.
Verification
The process of confirming whether an individual or studio holds current accreditation under the RFI and whether references are accurate.
Verification supports clarity and prevents misrepresentation.
Withdrawal
The removal of accreditation where conformity is no longer demonstrated or where misuse occurs.
Following withdrawal, all licensed references must cease.
The Qelvea Refined Finish Index™
Defined clearly. Applied consistently.