Wiki source code of X0200 - Overview of the CEC Certification Process

Version 21.1 by SuperUwe Trueggelmann on 2024-09-13

version	line-number	content
1.1	1	Below you find an overview of the CEC Certification Process:
	2
18.1	3	(% border="2" style="margin-right:auto;padding-top: 12px;padding-bottom: 12px;text-align: left;background-color: #007d84;color: white;" %)
1.2	4	\|(% colspan="4" %)(((
	5	= 1. CEC Registration =
	6	)))
15.2	7	\|=(% scope="col" %)Process Step\|=(% style="width: 875px;" %)Vendor Actions\|=(% style="width: 750px;" %)CEC Actions\|=Forms and additional Guidance
21.1	8	\|Registration\|(% style="width:875px;color: black;" %)((% style="color: black;" %)((
1.2	9	The Vendor completes the [[Contact Registration Form>>doc:StartPage.X1000 - Contact Registration Form.WebHome]].
1.1	10
1.2	11	The CEC Registration System sends an automated e-mail to the Vendor contact requesting confirmation of their e-mail address.
	12
	13	Once the Vendor contact has confirmed their e-mail address, the Vendor receives access to the download page for the CEC NDA.
6.11	14	)))\|(% style="width:750px" %) \|[[Contact Registration Form>>doc:StartPage.X1000 - Contact Registration Form.WebHome]]
	15	\|Fill in NDA Form\|(% style="width:875px" %)(((
1.2	16	The Vendor enter the requested information as defined in the [[CEC NDA Guidance>>doc:StartPage.X1200 - CEC NDA Download.WebHome]].
	17
	18	(% class="box warningmessage" %)
	19	(((
6.3	20	NOTE: CEC does not support custom NDA. Vendors are required to agree to the CEC NDA as provided. Requests for change, especially for change of applicable legislation or venue are not discussed and will not be responded to.
1.2	21	)))
	22
	23	The Vendor sends the NDA Form in Word format, with the entered information, but not yet signed, to [[contact@cecocert.com>>mailto:contact@cecocert.com]].
	24
	25
6.11	26	)))\|(% style="width:750px" %) \|[[CEC NDA Guidance>>doc:StartPage.X1200 - CEC NDA Download.WebHome]]
14.1	27	\|Prepare CEC NDA for signing by Vendor and TruCert and submit for signature.\|(% style="width:875px" %) \|(% style="width:750px" %)(((
1.2	28	CEC Administration prepares the CEC NDA for signature.
	29
	30	CEC Administration submits the CEC NDA for signature, either via docusign.com, via manual signature, or via electronic signature.
	31	)))\|[[CEC NDA Guidance>>doc:StartPage.X1200 - CEC NDA Download.WebHome]]
6.11	32	\|Sign CEC NDA\|(% style="width:875px" %)The Vendor's signee(s) sign(s) the CEC NDA.\|(% style="width:750px" %)(((
1.2	33	TruCert's signee signs the CEC NDA signed by the Vendor's signee.
	34
	35	CEC Administration distributes signed copies to Vendor contact and TruCert.
	36	)))\|[[CEC NDA Guidance>>doc:StartPage.X1200 - CEC NDA Download.WebHome]]
6.11	37	\|Provide access to CEC Document Package to Vendor\|(% style="width:875px" %) \|(% style="width:750px" %)CEC Administration provides access to the CEC Document Package to the Vendor, either by sending it via e-mail, or by providing access credentials to the Vendor Contact.\|CEC Document Package
1.3	38	\|(% colspan="4" %)(((
	39	= 2. Determine CEC Standard Metrics ("KPIs") for each Product and Manufacturing Site combination =
	40	)))
	41	\|(% colspan="4" %)(((
	42	== 2.1 Option 1 - Vendor determines the KPIs on their own ==
	43	)))
15.2	44	\|=(% scope="col" %)Process Step\|=(% style="width: 875px;" %)Vendor Actions\|=(% style="width: 750px;" %)CEC Actions\|=Forms and additional Guidance
6.11	45	\|Determine CEC KPIs\|(% style="width:875px" %)(((
4.2	46	The Vendor determines the required CEC KPIs in accordance with the CEC requirements, and on their own.
	47
	48	The Vendor ensures that amongst others the following conditions are met:
	49
	50	* Energy Consumption values are determined using the EcoInvent method Cumulative Energy Demand
	51	* CO2 footprint values are determined using the EcoInvent method IPCC 2021
	52	* Material Consumption values are determined taking into account the total direct inputs into the process, and consider reject rates as well as production wastes such as punch grids.
	53	* Full records of measurements and calculations are retained and kept available for the CEC Assessment process.
9.1	54
	55	Note that CEC Administration does not provide support nor provides guidance to the Vendor for determining the CEC KPIs. It is the Vendor's sole responsibility to determine the CEC KPIs in accordance with the CEC Requirements and to create and retain sufficient documentation.
	56
	57	Note also that calculations made with webpages using unknown or not well documented calculation methods, or lookup tables to determine CO2 footprint are not accepted sufficient evidence.
	58
	59	Unless the Vendor has their own department experienced with LCA projects, it is very likely that the Vendor will need to entertain and external LCA consultancy to correctly determine the CEC KPIs.
6.11	60	)))\|(% style="width:750px" %) \|
1.3	61	\|(% colspan="4" %)(((
	62	== 2.2 Option 2 - Vendor procures the CEC LCA Support Service ==
	63	)))
6.6	64	\|(% colspan="4" %)(((
	65	=== 2.2.1 Order CEC LCA Support Service ===
	66	)))
15.2	67	\|=(% scope="col" %)Process Step\|=(% style="width: 875px;" %)Vendor Actions\|=(% style="width: 750px;" %)CEC Actions\|=Forms and additional Guidance
6.11	68	\|Prepare the cecLOF to request the CEC LCA Support Service\|(% style="width:875px" %)(((
6.2	69	The Vendor opens the cecLOF form contained in the CEC Document Package.
	70
	71	The Vendor enters the information requested in the blue fields in the cecLOF by following the guideline provided within the cecLOF. This includes the contact information on the first page, the scope and cost of the CEC LCA Support on the CEC LCA Purchase Order page, and the Invoicing Information on the Invoicing Information page of the cecLOF.
	72
	73	The Vendor determines the cost of the CEC LCA Support Service by double clicking the 2nd table on the CEC LCA Purchase Order page of the cecLOF:
	74
6.5	75	[[image:image-20240726191230-1.png\|\|height="452" width="689"]]
6.2	76
	77	This is an embedded Excel table. Once double-clicked it appears like this:
	78
6.5	79	[[image:image-20240726191410-2.png\|\|height="224" width="691"]]
6.2	80
6.4	81	Now the Vendor selects the number of products in column A, rows 2 and 3, the Product Type in column C, rows 2 and 3. Note that row 3 is optional and the related cost is 0 if in cell C3 "none" is selected. Finally, the Vendor selects the number of sites to be included in cell A4.
6.2	82
	83	The embedded table automatically determines the cost of the CEC LCA Support service based on the information provided.
	84
6.4	85	To leave the editing mode of the embedded Excel table, click on the Word document outside the Excel table.
	86
6.2	87	In addition, the Vendor defines the requested Invoicing Information on the Invoicing Information page of the cecLOF form.
	88
	89	The Vendor may opt out of the contract signing process via docusign.com, but is requested to only do this if the Vendor is certain that signature via docusign.com is technically not possible. Not using docusign.com will result in delays.
	90
	91	Once the Vendor has entered all information, the Vendor saves the word file and e-mails it to [[contact@cecocert.com>>mailto:contact@cecocert.com]].
	92
	93	(% class="box warningmessage" %)
	94	(((
6.3	95	Do not turn the file into a PDF at this stage and do not attempt to sign it. Do send the Word file, and ensure the only modification of the Word file is the information entered into the blue fields. PDF files and "signed" Word files may be rejected without comment.
6.2	96	)))
6.11	97	)))\|(% style="width:750px" %)(((
6.2	98
	99	)))\|cecLOF
6.11	100	\|Prepare cecLOF for signing by Vendor and TruCert and submit for signature.\|(% style="width:875px" %) \|(% style="width:750px" %)(((
6.4	101	CEC Administration prepares the cecLOF for signature.
	102
	103	CEC Administration submits the cecLOF for signature, either via docusign.com, via manual signature, or via electronic signature.
	104	)))\|cecLOF
8.2	105	\|Sign cecLOF\|(% style="width:875px" %)The Vendor's signee(s) sign(s) the cecLQF\|(% style="width:750px" %)(((
6.5	106	TruCert's signee signs the cecLOF signed by the Vendor's signee.
6.4	107
	108	CEC Administration distributes signed copies to Vendor contact and TruCert.
	109	)))\|cecLOF
6.11	110	\|Send Invoice for CEC LCA Support Service\|(% style="width:875px" %) \|(% style="width:750px" %)CEC Administration sends the invoice for the CEC LCA Support Service as ordered in the cecLOF to the Vendor.\|
	111	\|Pay Invoice for CEC LCA Support Service\|(% style="width:875px" %)(((
6.5	112	The Vendor pays for the CEC LCA Support Service in full.
	113
	114	(% class="box warningmessage" %)
	115	(((
	116	Note that, in accordance with the terms and conditions agreed in the cecLOF, the invoiced amount must be paid in full. It is the Vendor's responsibility to ensure that TruCert receives the full invoiced amount in their accounts. All banking fees and conversion losses are the Vendor's responsibility and, if they occur, will result in delays, as the provision of the CEC LCA Support Service will only commence once the full amount has been received. It is highly recommended that the Vendor selects to pay in the invoiced currency and to bear all banking costs when instructing their bank. Checks and similar means of payment are not accepted. Any missing amounts will be reminded by CEC Admin to the Vendor and provision of the CEC LCA Support Service will be delayed until any outstanding amounts, even if small, have been paid.
	117	)))
6.11	118	)))\|(% style="width:750px" %) \|
6.9	119	\|(% colspan="4" %)(((
	120	=== 2.2.2 Collect Information required to determine the CEC KPIs ===
	121	)))
15.2	122	\|=(% scope="col" %)Process Step\|=(% style="width: 875px;" %)Vendor Actions\|=(% style="width: 750px;" %)CEC Actions\|=Forms and additional Guidance
6.11	123	\|Send cecLQF\|(% style="width:875px" %) \|(% style="width:750px" %)CEC Administration sends the cecLQF form to the Vendor.\|cecLQF
	124	\|Enter data in cecLQF and send it to CEC Administration\|(% style="width:875px" %)(((
	125	The Vendor enters the following minimum information into one cecLQF for each Product and Manufacturing Site combination:
6.7	126
6.9	127	* Administrative information requested on the Coversheet of the cecLQF
	128	* The electricity consumption of the manufacturing site during the previous year
	129	* The amount of oil and natural gas used by the manufacturing site during the previous year
	130	* The number of products produced in the manufacturing site during the previous year
6.7	131	* Information about each Layer or main component of the product, at least:
	132	** Supplier
	133	** Type
	134	** Dimensions
	135	** Weight
	136	** Shipping origin and destination, and means of transport
	137
6.8	138	The cecLQF allows for more detailed information, and providing more detailed information may result in better KPIs, but for Card Bodies, IC Cards, and Antenna Inlays the CEC Administration is usually able to determine sufficient KPIs from the data above.
6.7	139
6.9	140	The cecLQF provides mechanisms to allow considering that parts of the building or the production equipment are not part of the production of the products subject to CEC Certification, though these require the Vendor to provide additional information.
	141
6.7	142	For more complicated products such as:
	143
	144	* IC - Integrated Circuits
	145	* ICM - IC Modules
	146	* Inlays including IC
	147	* Card materials
	148
	149	please contact the CEC Administration before starting to enter data into the cecLQF.
6.9	150
	151	The Vendor retains records of measurements and calculations and keeps them available for the CEC Assessment process.
	152
	153	The Vendor sends the completed cecLQF to contact@cecocert.com
6.11	154	)))\|(% style="width:750px" %) \|(((
6.7	155	cecLQF
	156
	157	CEC LQF Guidance
	158	)))
6.11	159	\|Review and revise cecLQF\|(% style="width:875px" %)The Vendor provides Corrected or requested additional information by updating the cecLQF as requested by CEC Administration.\|(% style="width:750px" %)CEC Administration reviews the cecLQF, and if necessary, informs the Vendor of necessary corrections and if additional information is needed.\|
1.3	160	\|(% colspan="4" %)(((
6.11	161	=== 2.2.3 Determine CEC Metrics ===
6.9	162	)))
15.2	163	\|=(% scope="col" %)Process Step\|=(% style="width: 875px;" %)Vendor Actions\|=(% style="width: 750px;" %)CEC Actions\|=Forms and additional Guidance
6.11	164	\| \|(% style="width:875px" %) \|(% style="width:750px" %)(((
6.9	165	CEC Administration calculates the CEC Metrics from the information provided in the cecLQF and provides them to the Vendor in additional worksheets in the cecLQF file.
	166
	167	The resulting version of the cecLQF file contains a worksheet that provides the CEC Metrics ready to be copied and pasted into the cecAP form's Claim Details worksheet.
	168	)))\|
	169	\|(% colspan="4" %)(((
6.11	170	= 3. Prepare the CEC Assessment =
1.3	171	)))
8.2	172	\|(% colspan="3" rowspan="1" %)(((
15.1	173	== 3.1 Order CEC Assessment ==
8.2	174	)))\|
15.2	175	\|=(% scope="col" %)Process Step\|=(% style="width: 875px;" %)Vendor Actions\|=(% style="width: 750px;" %)CEC Actions\|=Forms and additional Guidance
8.2	176	\|Prepare the cecAOF to request the CEC Assessment\|(% style="width:875px" %)(((
	177	The Vendor opens the cecAOF form contained in the CEC Document Package.
	178
	179	The Vendor enters the information requested in the blue fields in the cecAOF by following the guideline provided within the cecAOF. This includes the contact information on the first page, the scope and cost of the CEC Assessment on the CEC Assessment Purchase Order page, and the Invoicing Information on the Invoicing Information page of the cecAOF .
	180
	181	The Vendor determines the cost of the CEC Assessment by double clicking the 2nd table on the CEC Assessment Purchase Order page of the cecAOF :
	182
	183	[[image:image-20240726204104-3.png\|\|height="509" width="689"]]
	184
	185	This is an embedded Excel table. Once double-clicked it appears like this:
	186
	187	[[image:image-20240726204206-4.png\|\|height="247" width="693"]]
	188
	189	Now the Vendor selects the number of products in cell A3, and the number of sites to be included in cell A4.
	190
	191	The embedded table automatically determines the cost of the CEC Assessment service based on the information provided.
	192
	193	To leave the editing mode of the embedded Excel table, click on the Word document outside the Excel table.
	194
	195	In addition, the Vendor defines the requested Invoicing Information on the Invoicing Information page of the cecAOF form.
	196
	197	The Vendor may opt out of the contract signing process via docusign.com, but is requested to only do this if the Vendor is certain that signature via docusign.com is technically not possible. Not using docusign.com will result in delays.
	198
	199	Once the Vendor has entered all information, the Vendor saves the word file and e-mails it to [[contact@cecocert.com>>mailto:contact@cecocert.com]].
	200
	201	(% class="box warningmessage" %)
	202	(((
	203	Do not turn the file into a PDF at this stage and do not attempt to sign it. Do send the Word file, and ensure the only modification of the Word file is the information entered into the blue fields. PDF files and "signed" Word files may be rejected without comment.
	204	)))
	205	)))\|(% style="width:750px" %) \|cecAOF
	206	\|Prepare cecAOF for signing by Vendor and TruCert and submit for signature.\|(% style="width:875px" %) \|(% style="width:750px" %)(((
	207	CEC Administration prepares the cecAOF for signature.
	208
	209	CEC Administration submits the cecAOF for signature, either via docusign.com, via manual signature, or via electronic signature.
	210	)))\|
	211	\|Sign cecAOF\|(% style="width:875px" %)The Vendor's signee(s) sign(s) the cecAOF.\|(% style="width:750px" %)(((
	212	TruCert's signee signs the cecAOF signed by the Vendor's signee.
	213
	214	CEC Administration distributes signed copies to Vendor contact and TruCert.
	215	)))\|
	216	\|Send Invoice for CEC Assessment\|(% style="width:875px" %) \|(% style="width:750px" %)CEC Administration sends the invoice for the CEC Assessment as ordered in the cecAOF to the Vendor.\|
	217	\|Pay Invoice for CEC Assessment\|(% style="width:875px" %)(((
	218	The Vendor pays for the CEC Assessment in full.
	219
	220	(% class="box warningmessage" %)
	221	(((
	222	Note that, in accordance with the terms and conditions agreed in the cecAOF , the invoiced amount must be paid in full. It is the Vendor's responsibility to ensure that TruCert receives the full invoiced amount in their accounts. All banking fees and conversion losses are the Vendor's responsibility and, if they occur, will result in delays, as the provision of the CEC Assessment will only commence once the full amount has been received. It is highly recommended that the Vendor selects to pay in the invoiced currency and to bear all banking costs when instructing their bank. Checks and similar means of payment are not accepted. Any missing amounts will be reminded by CEC Admin to the Vendor and provision of the CEC Assessment will be delayed until any outstanding amounts, even if small, have been paid.
	223	)))
	224	)))\|(% style="width:750px" %) \|
9.1	225	\|(% colspan="3" rowspan="1" %)(((
	226	== 3.2 Prepare the cecAP ==
	227	)))\|
15.2	228	\|=(% scope="col" %)Process Step\|=(% style="width: 875px;" %)Vendor Actions\|=(% style="width: 750px;" %)CEC Actions\|=Forms and additional Guidance
9.1	229	\|Enter required information\|(% style="width:875px" %)The Vendor enters the required information into the cecAP form provided as part of the CEC Document Package.\|(% style="width:750px" %) \|cecAP
	230	\|Send cecAP to CEC Administration\|(% style="width:875px" %)The Vendor provides the completed cecAP form to contact@cecocert.com\|(% style="width:750px" %) \|
	231	\|Review and correct cecAP as required\|(% style="width:875px" %)The Vendor correct or amends the cecAP as requested by CEC Administration and submits the revised cecAP.\|(% style="width:750px" %)CEC Administration reviews the cecAP and request corrections or amendments as needed.\|
	232	\| \|(% style="width:875px" %) \|(% style="width:750px" %)Once the cecAP has been accepted, CEC Administration will progress to scheduling the CEC Assessment.\|
	233	\|(% colspan="4" %)(((
	234	= 4. CEC Assessment =
	235	)))
	236	\|(% colspan="4" %)(((
	237	== 4.1 Schedule CEC Assessment ==
	238	)))
15.2	239	\|=(% scope="col" %)Process Step\|=(% style="width: 875px;" %)Vendor Actions\|=(% style="width: 750px;" %)CEC Actions\|=Forms and additional Guidance
10.2	240	\| \|The Vendor accepts the date proposed by CEC Administration, or proposes an alternative date.\|CEC Administration proposes a date for the CEC Assessment to the Vendor\|
	241	\|(% colspan="4" %)(((
	242	== 4.2 Conduct CEC Assessment ==
	243	)))
15.2	244	\|=(% scope="col" %)Process Step\|=(% style="width: 875px;" %)Vendor Actions\|=(% style="width: 750px;" %)CEC Actions\|=Forms and additional Guidance
10.2	245	\|CEC Assessment Conference Call\|(((
	246	CEC Assessments are normally conducted as remote audits.
	247
	248	During a Zoom or Teams call, a CEC Assessor reviews the cecAP and the information provided in the cecAP together with the Vendor. The Vendor provides the relevant evidences.
	249
	250	As a rough guidance, a CEC Assessment takes 3 to 4 hours for the first product, and an additional 1 to 2 hours per additional product and additional manufacturing site. Depending on the complexity of the CEC Assessment, multiple calls may be needed.
	251
	252	CEC Administration may offer on a case by case basis, and upon the Vendor's request, conducting CEC Assessments on-site. This will result in additional cost and the price for on-site CEC assessments cannot be automatically determined using the cecAOF.
	253	)))\| \|cecAP
	254	\|Create CEC Assessment Report\|If requested by the CEC Assessor, the Vendor defines corrective actions using the CAP worksheet contained in the cecAP and submits these to the CEC Assessor.\|(((
	255	The CEC Assessor amends the cecAP to include the CEC Assessor's findings and notes. The CEC Assessor determines compliance levels for each requirements.
	256
	257	In case of findings, the CEC Assessor, using the CAP worksheet in the cecAP, requests the Vendor to define corrective actions.
	258	)))\|
10.3	259	\|Complete corrective actions\|(((
	260	To qualify for Validation, the cecAP must show a conformity at the Program Level of 100%.
	261
	262	If the CEC Assessor determines Non-Conformities at the Program Level, then the Vendor must complete the related corrective actions and provide supporting evidences before the cecAP can be submitted to the CEC Administration for Validation and Certification.
	263	)))\| \|
10.5	264	\|Submit CEC Assessment Report to CEC Administration\| \|The CEC Assessor submits the cecAP to CEC Administration for Validation.\|Completed cecAP as the CEC Assessment Report
11.1	265	\|(% colspan="4" %)(((
	266	= 5. CEC Assessment Validation =
	267	)))
15.2	268	\|=(% scope="col" %)Process Step\|=(% style="width: 875px;" %)Vendor Actions\|=(% style="width: 750px;" %)CEC Actions\|=Forms and additional Guidance
11.1	269	\| \| \|CEC Administration reviews the cecAP with Mastercard representatives, as needed.\|cecAP
	270	\| \| \|CEC Administration progresses to CEC Certification, or informs the Vendor that their Environmental Claim was rejected.\|
	271	\|(% colspan="4" %)(((
	272	= 6. CEC Certification =
	273	)))
15.2	274	\|=(% scope="col" %)Process Step\|=(% style="width: 875px;" %)Vendor Actions\|=(% style="width: 750px;" %)CEC Actions\|=Forms and additional Guidance
11.1	275	\|Create CEC Certificate\| \|CEC Administration creates the DRAFT CEC Certificate(s) for the accepted Environmental Claims.\|CEC Certificate Template
	276	\|Sign CEC Certificate\| \|(((
	277	CEC Administration submits the DRAFT CEC Certificate(s) for signature by CEC Administration and by Mastercard. CEC Administration and Mastercard sign the CEC Certificate(s).
1.2	278
11.1	279	This can take 2 weeks depending on the availability of the signees.
	280	)))\|
	281	\|Send the CEC Certificate to Vendor\| \|CEC Administration submits the signed CEC Certificate(s) to the Vendor.\|CEC Certificate
	282	\|Review the CEC Certificate\|(((
	283	The Vendor reviews the CEC Certificate and communicates errors and omissions to CEC Administration.
	284
	285	Note that only information that was available and reviewed during the CEC Assessment can be included in the CEC Certificate. Changes to the presented data require another CEC Assessment.
	286	)))\| \|
	287	\|(% colspan="4" %)(((
	288	= 7. Renewal or Extension upon Expiry =
	289	)))
15.2	290	\|=(% scope="col" %)Process Step\|=(% style="width: 875px;" %)Vendor Actions\|=(% style="width: 750px;" %)CEC Actions\|=Forms and additional Guidance
11.1	291	\| \|(((
	292	If a 24 month interval is permitted after certification, the Vendor must request an Extension of the CEC Certificate(s) before they expire.
	293
	294	If a 12 month interval until re-assessment is permitted, the Vendor must request a re-assessment before the CEC Certificate expires.
	295	)))\|The CEC Administration determines, depending on the level of compliance, the interval until a re-assessment is required. A re-assessment may be required 12 month or 24 month after certification.\|
	296
1.2	297