Who may say what about a workplace in relation to the standard. The principle is simple: the standard is open to read, closed to claim. Anyone may read and cite the standard, free of charge. But reading it is not adopting it, and confers no right to claim any association with it. A workplace is placed in relation to the standard only through Roch Dog, and certified status and the mark are earned, never self-declared.
There is no self-declared tier. A workplace does not become "built to", "designed to", "aligned with", "following", or "operating to" the Roch Dog Workplace Standard by reading it, and may not describe itself that way. Use of the standard and the mark is by Roch Dog authorisation only, granted through Roch Dog certification or a Roch Dog licence. To enquire about certifying or licensing a workplace, contact Roch Dog.
| Situation | May use mark? | What the workplace may say |
|---|---|---|
| Authorised by Roch Dog, by certification or licence, and current | Yes | "Roch Dog Workplace Certified", or as set out in its licence, for as long as the authorisation is current |
| Not authorised by Roch Dog | No | Factual statements about its own dog policy only, for example "dogs welcome, subject to our policy", with no reference to the Roch Dog Workplace Standard, its name, or its marks |
The mark
The certification mark, seal, and badge are closed. The right to describe a workplace as Roch Dog Workplace Certified, and to display the mark, arises only from a current authorisation granted by Roch Dog, or by an assessor it has licensed, and only while that authorisation is current. The mark is a trademark of Ranked by Roch Ltd and Roch Dog Inc.
Confusingly similar signs
Any sign combining "Roch Dog" with "Workplace", "Standard", or "Certified", or imitating the Roch Dog badge, seal, or trade dress, is treated as confusingly similar to the certification mark and is prohibited.
Enforcement
- Certified is earned. "Certified", the phrase "Roch Dog Workplace Certified", and the mark, seal, or badge are reserved to workplaces Roch Dog has authorised and that hold a current authorisation. Self-declaration of certified status is not permitted.
- No claim without authorisation. No workplace may reference the standard or its marks to state or imply conformity without a current Roch Dog authorisation. "Built to", "designed to", "aligned with", "following", and "operating to" the standard, and any equivalent, are not permitted claims for a workplace Roch Dog has not authorised.
- No blurring. Nothing a workplace publishes may suggest Roch Dog assessment, endorsement, or verification that has not happened.
- Misuse is actionable, and permission is revocable. Using the mark, or claiming certified status, without a current Roch Dog authorisation is a misuse of the Roch Dog marks, and Roch Dog acts on it. Roch Dog reserves the right to withdraw authorisation at any time.