Wiki source code of X0200a - Overview of the CEC Certification Process

Last modified by Uwe Trueggelmann on 2026-03-21

version	line-number	content
1.1	1	Below you find an overview of the CEC Certification Process:
	2
31.1	3	(% style="background-color:#d0d3d4; border-color:#007d84; color:black; padding:8px; text-align:left" %)
29.1	4	\|=(% colspan="4" style="padding-top: 12px;padding-bottom: 12px;text-align: left;border-color: #d0d3d4;background-color: #007d84;" %)(((
31.1	5	= (% style="color:white" %)1. CEC Registration(%%) =
27.1	6	)))
31.1	7	(% style="background-color:#007d84; border:1px solid #d0d3d4; color:white; padding-bottom:0px; padding-top:0px; text-align:left" %)\|=(% scope="col" style="border: 1px solid #d0d3d4;vertical-align: middle;" %)Process Step\|=(% style="width: 875px;border: 1px solid #d0d3d4;vertical-align: middle;" %)Vendor Actions\|=(% style="width: 750px;border: 1px solid #d0d3d4;vertical-align: middle;" %)CEC Actions\|=(% style="border: 1px solid #d0d3d4;vertical-align: middle;" %)Forms and Guidance
	8	\|Registration\|(% style="width:875px" %)(((
37.1	9	The Vendor completes the [[Contact Registration Form>>doc:Main.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.
37.1	14	)))\|(% style="width:750px" %) \|[[Contact Registration Form>>doc:Main.X1000 - Contact Registration Form.WebHome]]
6.11	15	\|Fill in NDA Form\|(% style="width:875px" %)(((
37.1	16	The Vendor enter the requested information as defined in the [[CEC NDA Guidance>>doc:Main.X1200 - CEC NDA Download.WebHome]].
1.2	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
37.1	26	)))\|(% style="width:750px" %) \|[[CEC NDA Guidance>>doc:Main.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.
37.1	31	)))\|[[CEC NDA Guidance>>doc:Main.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.
37.1	36	)))\|[[CEC NDA Guidance>>doc:Main.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
31.1	38	\|(% colspan="4" style="background-color:#007d84; border-color:#d0d3d4; padding-bottom:12px; padding-top:12px; text-align:left" %)(((
37.28	39	= (% style="color:white" %)2. Request CEC Certification(%%) =
1.3	40	)))
31.1	41	(% style="background-color:#007d84; border:1px solid #d0d3d4; color:white; padding-bottom:0px; padding-top:0px; text-align:left" %)\|=(% scope="col" style="border: 1px solid #d0d3d4;vertical-align: middle;" %)Process Step\|=(% style="width: 875px;border: 1px solid #d0d3d4;vertical-align: middle;" %)Vendor Actions\|=(% style="width: 750px;border: 1px solid #d0d3d4;vertical-align: middle;" %)CEC Actions\|=(% style="border: 1px solid #d0d3d4;vertical-align: middle;" %)Forms and Guidance
37.8	42	\|Download the cecQAF form\|(% style="width:875px" %)(((
37.10	43	(((
37.28	44	The Vendor downloads the cecQAF form from the cecocert.com website
37.10	45	)))
	46
	47	(((
	48
	49	)))
37.28	50	)))\|(% style="width:750px" %) \|[[cecQAF>>doc:CEC Home.C0200a - Request CEC Certification.C0230a - CEC Query and Assessment form ("cecQAF") - Guidance to obtain quotation for CEC Certification.C0238a - Download CEC Query and Assessment ("cecQAF") Form.WebHome]]
	51	\|Request Quotation for CEC Certification\|(% style="width:875px" %)The Vendor enters the information required to obtain a quotation for CEC Assessment into the cecQAF and sends it to CEC Administration\|(% style="width:750px" %)CEC Administration provides a quotation for CEC Assessment according to the scope the Vendor specified in the cecQAF.\|(((
	52	[[Request Certification>>doc:CEC Home.C0200a - Request CEC Certification.WebHome]]
	53
	54	[[Request Quotation>>doc:CEC Home.C0200a - Request CEC Certification.C0230a - CEC Query and Assessment form ("cecQAF") - Guidance to obtain quotation for CEC Certification.WebHome]]
	55	)))
	56	\|Accept Quotation for CEC Certification\|(% style="width:875px" %)The Vendor accepts the quotation for CEC Certification\|(% style="width:750px" %)Once the Vendor has accpted the quotation, CEC Administration provides invoice for CEC Certification\|
	57	\|Pay for CEC Certification\|(% style="width:875px" %)The Vendor pays the invoice for CEC Certification in full, including banking and currency conversion fees.\|(% style="width:750px" %)Once the Vendor has paid the invoice for CEC Certification in full, CEC Administration provides an expanded cecQAF, allowing the Vendor defining the detailed information about their products and sites to enable calculation of the CEC Indicators.\|
31.1	58	\|(% colspan="4" style="background-color:#007d84; border-color:#d0d3d4; padding-bottom:12px; padding-top:12px; text-align:left" %)(((
	59	= (% style="color:white" %)3. Prepare the CEC Assessment(%%) =
1.3	60	)))
31.1	61	\|(% colspan="4" style="background-color:#007d84; border-color:#d0d3d4; padding-bottom:12px; padding-top:12px; text-align:left" %)(((
37.29	62	== (% style="color:white" %)3.1 Prepare the cecQAF for CEC Assessment(%%) ==
8.2	63	)))\|
31.1	64	(% style="background-color:#007d84; border:1px solid #d0d3d4; color:white; padding-bottom:0px; padding-top:0px; text-align:left" %)\|=(% scope="col" style="border: 1px solid #d0d3d4;vertical-align: middle;" %)Process Step\|=(% style="width: 875px;border: 1px solid #d0d3d4;vertical-align: middle;" %)Vendor Actions\|=(% style="width: 750px;border: 1px solid #d0d3d4;vertical-align: middle;" %)CEC Actions\|=(% style="border: 1px solid #d0d3d4;vertical-align: middle;" %)Forms and Guidance
8.2	65	\|Prepare the cecAOF to request the CEC Assessment\|(% style="width:875px" %)(((
	66	The Vendor opens the cecAOF form contained in the CEC Document Package.
	67
	68	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 .
	69
	70	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 :
	71
	72	[[image:image-20240726204104-3.png\|\|height="509" width="689"]]
	73
	74	This is an embedded Excel table. Once double-clicked it appears like this:
	75
	76	[[image:image-20240726204206-4.png\|\|height="247" width="693"]]
	77
	78	Now the Vendor selects the number of products in cell A3, and the number of sites to be included in cell A4.
	79
	80	The embedded table automatically determines the cost of the CEC Assessment service based on the information provided.
	81
	82	To leave the editing mode of the embedded Excel table, click on the Word document outside the Excel table.
	83
	84	In addition, the Vendor defines the requested Invoicing Information on the Invoicing Information page of the cecAOF form.
	85
	86	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.
	87
	88	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]].
	89
	90	(% class="box warningmessage" %)
	91	(((
	92	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.
	93	)))
	94	)))\|(% style="width:750px" %) \|cecAOF
	95	\|Prepare cecAOF for signing by Vendor and TruCert and submit for signature.\|(% style="width:875px" %) \|(% style="width:750px" %)(((
	96	CEC Administration prepares the cecAOF for signature.
	97
	98	CEC Administration submits the cecAOF for signature, either via docusign.com, via manual signature, or via electronic signature.
	99	)))\|
	100	\|Sign cecAOF\|(% style="width:875px" %)The Vendor's signee(s) sign(s) the cecAOF.\|(% style="width:750px" %)(((
	101	TruCert's signee signs the cecAOF signed by the Vendor's signee.
	102
	103	CEC Administration distributes signed copies to Vendor contact and TruCert.
	104	)))\|
	105	\|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.\|
	106	\|Pay Invoice for CEC Assessment\|(% style="width:875px" %)(((
	107	The Vendor pays for the CEC Assessment in full.
	108
	109	(% class="box warningmessage" %)
	110	(((
	111	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.
	112	)))
	113	)))\|(% style="width:750px" %) \|
31.1	114	\|(% colspan="4" style="background-color:#007d84; border-color:#d0d3d4; padding-bottom:12px; padding-top:12px; text-align:left" %)(((
	115	== (% style="color:white" %)3.2 Prepare the cecAP(%%) ==
9.1	116	)))\|
31.1	117	(% style="background-color:#007d84; border:1px solid #d0d3d4; color:white; padding-bottom:0px; padding-top:0px; text-align:left" %)\|=(% scope="col" style="border: 1px solid #d0d3d4;vertical-align: middle;" %)Process Step\|=(% style="width: 875px;border: 1px solid #d0d3d4;vertical-align: middle;" %)Vendor Actions\|=(% style="width: 750px;border: 1px solid #d0d3d4;vertical-align: middle;" %)CEC Actions\|=(% style="border: 1px solid #d0d3d4;vertical-align: middle;" %)Forms and Guidance
	118	\|Enter required information\|(% style="width:875px" %)(((
	119	The Vendor enters the required information into the cecAP form provided as part of the CEC Document Package.
	120
	121	See the following pages for information that might be helpful to prepare the cecAP:
	122
	123	Description of the cecAP:
	124
	125	* [[https:~~/~~/cecocert.com/bin/view/CEC%20Home/Environmental%20Claim%20Registration/C0250%20-%20CEC%20Assessment%20Plan%20Form%20-%20Guidance/C0258%20-%20cecAP%20FAQs/>>url:https://cecocert.com/bin/view/CEC%20Home/Environmental%20Claim%20Registration/C0250%20-%20CEC%20Assessment%20Plan%20Form%20-%20Guidance/C0258%20-%20cecAP%20FAQs/]]
	126
	127	FAQs related to the cecAP:
	128
	129	* [[https:~~/~~/cecocert.com/bin/view/CEC%20Home/Environmental%20Claim%20Registration/C0250%20-%20CEC%20Assessment%20Plan%20Form%20-%20Guidance/C0258%20-%20cecAP%20FAQs/?srid=VFr5C7Ih>>https://cecocert.com/bin/view/CEC%20Home/Environmental%20Claim%20Registration/C0250%20-%20CEC%20Assessment%20Plan%20Form%20-%20Guidance/C0258%20-%20cecAP%20FAQs/?srid=VFr5C7Ih]]
	130	)))\|(% style="width:750px" %) \|cecAP
	131	\|Send cecAP to CEC Administration\|(% style="width:875px" %)The Vendor provides the completed cecAP form to [[contact@cecocert.com>>path:mailto:contact@cecocert.com]]\|(% style="width:750px" %) \|
9.1	132	\|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.\|
	133	\| \|(% style="width:875px" %) \|(% style="width:750px" %)Once the cecAP has been accepted, CEC Administration will progress to scheduling the CEC Assessment.\|
31.1	134	\|(% colspan="4" style="background-color:#007d84; border-color:#d0d3d4; padding-bottom:12px; padding-top:12px; text-align:left" %)(((
	135	= (% style="color:white" %)4. CEC Assessment(%%) =
9.1	136	)))
31.1	137	\|(% colspan="4" style="background-color:#007d84; border-color:#d0d3d4; padding-bottom:12px; padding-top:12px; text-align:left" %)(((
	138	== (% style="color:white" %)4.1 Schedule CEC Assessment(%%) ==
9.1	139	)))
31.1	140	(% style="background-color:#007d84; border:1px solid #d0d3d4; color:white; padding-bottom:0px; padding-top:0px; text-align:left" %)\|=(% scope="col" style="border: 1px solid #d0d3d4;vertical-align: middle;" %)Process Step\|=(% style="width: 875px;border: 1px solid #d0d3d4;vertical-align: middle;" %)Vendor Actions\|=(% style="width: 750px;border: 1px solid #d0d3d4;vertical-align: middle;" %)CEC Actions\|=(% style="border: 1px solid #d0d3d4;vertical-align: middle;" %)Forms and Guidance
10.2	141	\| \|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\|
31.1	142	\|(% colspan="4" style="background-color:#007d84; border-color:#d0d3d4; padding-bottom:12px; padding-top:12px; text-align:left" %)(((
	143	== (% style="color:white" %)4.2 Conduct CEC Assessment(%%) ==
10.2	144	)))
31.1	145	(% style="background-color:#007d84; border:1px solid #d0d3d4; color:white; padding-bottom:0px; padding-top:0px; text-align:left" %)\|=(% scope="col" style="border: 1px solid #d0d3d4;vertical-align: middle;" %)Process Step\|=(% style="width: 875px;border: 1px solid #d0d3d4;vertical-align: middle;" %)Vendor Actions\|=(% style="width: 750px;border: 1px solid #d0d3d4;vertical-align: middle;" %)CEC Actions\|=(% style="border: 1px solid #d0d3d4;vertical-align: middle;" %)Forms and Guidance
10.2	146	\|CEC Assessment Conference Call\|(((
	147	CEC Assessments are normally conducted as remote audits.
	148
	149	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.
	150
	151	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.
	152
	153	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.
34.1	154
	155	{{info}}
35.1	156	See: [[Guidance to prepare for the CEC Assessment>>doc:StartPage.C0270 - How to prepare for the CEC Assessment.WebHome]].
34.1	157	{{/info}}
10.2	158	)))\| \|cecAP
	159	\|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.\|(((
	160	The CEC Assessor amends the cecAP to include the CEC Assessor's findings and notes. The CEC Assessor determines compliance levels for each requirements.
	161
	162	In case of findings, the CEC Assessor, using the CAP worksheet in the cecAP, requests the Vendor to define corrective actions.
	163	)))\|
10.3	164	\|Complete corrective actions\|(((
	165	To qualify for Validation, the cecAP must show a conformity at the Program Level of 100%.
	166
	167	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.
	168	)))\| \|
10.5	169	\|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
31.1	170	\|(% colspan="4" style="background-color:#007d84; border-color:#d0d3d4; padding-bottom:12px; padding-top:12px; text-align:left" %)(((
	171	= (% style="color:white" %)5. CEC Assessment Validation(%%) =
11.1	172	)))
31.1	173	(% style="background-color:#007d84; border:1px solid #d0d3d4; color:white; padding-bottom:0px; padding-top:0px; text-align:left" %)\|=(% scope="col" style="border: 1px solid #d0d3d4;vertical-align: middle;" %)Process Step\|=(% style="width: 875px;border: 1px solid #d0d3d4;vertical-align: middle;" %)Vendor Actions\|=(% style="width: 750px;border: 1px solid #d0d3d4;vertical-align: middle;" %)CEC Actions\|=(% style="border: 1px solid #d0d3d4;vertical-align: middle;" %)Forms and Guidance
11.1	174	\| \| \|CEC Administration reviews the cecAP with Mastercard representatives, as needed.\|cecAP
	175	\| \| \|CEC Administration progresses to CEC Certification, or informs the Vendor that their Environmental Claim was rejected.\|
31.1	176	\|(% colspan="4" style="background-color:#007d84; border-color:#d0d3d4; padding-bottom:12px; padding-top:12px; text-align:left" %)(((
	177	= (% style="color:white" %)6. CEC Certification(%%) =
11.1	178	)))
31.1	179	(% style="background-color:#007d84; border:1px solid #d0d3d4; color:white; padding-bottom:0px; padding-top:0px; text-align:left" %)\|=(% scope="col" style="border: 1px solid #d0d3d4;vertical-align: middle;" %)Process Step\|=(% style="width: 875px;border: 1px solid #d0d3d4;vertical-align: middle;" %)Vendor Actions\|=(% style="width: 750px;border: 1px solid #d0d3d4;vertical-align: middle;" %)CEC Actions\|=(% style="border: 1px solid #d0d3d4;vertical-align: middle;" %)Forms and Guidance
11.1	180	\|Create CEC Certificate\| \|CEC Administration creates the DRAFT CEC Certificate(s) for the accepted Environmental Claims.\|CEC Certificate Template
	181	\|Sign CEC Certificate\| \|(((
	182	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	183
11.1	184	This can take 2 weeks depending on the availability of the signees.
	185	)))\|
	186	\|Send the CEC Certificate to Vendor\| \|CEC Administration submits the signed CEC Certificate(s) to the Vendor.\|CEC Certificate
	187	\|Review the CEC Certificate\|(((
	188	The Vendor reviews the CEC Certificate and communicates errors and omissions to CEC Administration.
	189
	190	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.
	191	)))\| \|
31.1	192	\|(% colspan="4" style="background-color:#007d84; border-color:#d0d3d4; padding-bottom:12px; padding-top:12px; text-align:left" %)(((
	193	= (% style="color:white" %)7. Renewal or Extension upon Expiry(%%) =
11.1	194	)))
31.1	195	(% style="background-color:#007d84; border:1px solid #d0d3d4; color:white; padding-bottom:0px; padding-top:0px; text-align:left" %)\|=(% scope="col" style="border: 1px solid #d0d3d4;vertical-align: middle;" %)Process Step\|=(% style="width: 875px;border: 1px solid #d0d3d4;vertical-align: middle;" %)Vendor Actions\|=(% style="width: 750px;border: 1px solid #d0d3d4;vertical-align: middle;" %)CEC Actions\|=(% style="border: 1px solid #d0d3d4;vertical-align: middle;" %)Forms and Guidance
11.1	196	\| \|(((
	197	If a 24 month interval is permitted after certification, the Vendor must request an Extension of the CEC Certificate(s) before they expire.
	198
	199	If a 12 month interval until re-assessment is permitted, the Vendor must request a re-assessment before the CEC Certificate expires.
	200	)))\|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.\|