Initiatives

Seal of Approval

White Paper - "Standards Compliance Certification And Branding In The Information And Communications Technology Sector" by Andrew Updegrove

What is a Seal of Approval?
Typically, a Seal of Approval is a status or a recognition given to a product, service, or concept that meets certain criteria created by an organization or person.

What is the PESC Seal of Approval?
The PESC Seal of Approval Program is a voluntary service offered by PESC for implementers of PESC Approved Standards to indicate a uniform level of implementation. Implementers must formally apply to PESC for the Seal of Approval using the official application and must submit a small, non-refundable fee to PESC. The service was designed to communicate to the community at large that a certain implementation of PESC Approved Standards has been uniformly implemented according to the original intent and spirit of the PESC Approved Standard. A Seal of Approval can be used by implementers to market products and services to demonstrate alignment and interoperability.

The Seal of Approval Program is a formal process governed by specific policies and procedures and by a Seal of Approval Board (SAB), comprised of PESC member representatives appointed by the PESC Board of Directors, and Chaired by PESC's Vice Chair of the PESC Board of Directors.

The Seal of Approval Program is a voluntary program of PESC and eligibility to apply is open and available to any organization or implementer in education.

What are the benefits?
For users, a product or service with a PESC Seal of Approval indicates that the product or service is in alignment and uniform with the original intent of the PESC Approved Standard. For providers of products and services, a PESC Seal of Approval indicates value in that the product or service was reviewed, analyzed and confirmed to be in alignment and uniform with the original intent of the PESC Approved Standard. For PESC, ensuring that products and services are in alignment and uniform with the original intent of PESC Approved Standards fulfills its mission and improves the level of awareness and need for interoperability across the education landscape. A Seal of Approval can be part of organizational RFP's, can be marketed by the organization receiving the Seal of Approval in materials and on websites, and the organization receiving the Seal of Approval must link directly to the PESC website whereby the validity of a Seal of Approval can be confirmed.

What are the advantages of having the PESC Seal of Approval?
Organizations granted the PESC Seal of Approval have the coveted rights to use the PESC Seal of Approval logo on their websites and marketing materials. This logo signifies that an organization has implemented PESC Approved Standards, is in production with PESC Approved Standards, and has applied and has been approved for a Seal of Approval by the SAB.

What are the steps involved in the Seal of Approval process?

The applicant completes and submits to PESC the official Seal of Approval Application (available on the PESC website) with a non-refundable fee.
The SAB reviews each application for completeness and works with the submitter in the event information submitted is incomplete or insufficient.
The SAB evaluates the application and supporting materials, conducts research and interviews and determines whether a Seal of Approval is to be granted or not. The SAB reserves the right and at its discretion may engage external subject matter experts or other appropriate parties to review and comment on the material submitted.
The SAB issues a recommendation to award the Seal of Approval and notifies the PESC Board of Directors.
The Seal of Approval is awarded with a one-year effective term, the applicant is notified, the PESC website is updated, and a notice is issued in THE STANDARD.

What determines if a product/service qualifies for the PESC Seal of Approval?
The awarding of the Seal of Approval indicates that the use of PESC Approved Standards in products and services was reviewed, analyzed and confirmed to be in alignment and uniform with the original intent of the PESC Approved Standard. Awarding of the Seal of Approval does not indicate endorsement or exclusive approval by PESC or PESC's members of one product or service over another.

The SAB and Board of Directors will use the following guidelines in evaluating all applications in a consistent and documented manner:

All applications must be completed and signed.
All applications must be accompanied by the application fee.
Applicants must respond within provided timelines if notified of an incomplete application or in instances whereby additional information is requested by the SAB. If information is not provided as indicated, the application becomes inactive. After ninety (90) days of inactivity (from the date additional information was requested), the application is rejected and the applicant must apply from the start again.
References provided by the application must endorse or confirm that the implementation of PESC Approved Standards is in alignment and uniform with the original intent of the PESC Approved Standard.
Contains correct, reliable, truthful, and current information.

Each SAB member is required to complete the Application Form Checklist for every application.

For ineligible products or services:

PESC will not consider for the Seal of Approval companies, organizations or individuals whose products or services are inconsistent with the approved standards. Documentation of such reasons must be provided by the SAB.
PESC will not consider incomplete applications or products or services that are not fully ready for review.

How is the product/service evaluated for the PESC Seal of Approval? The SAB will:

Conduct the application review, follow-up with questions (if any) and complete reference checks in a timely fashion.
Endeavor to provide its recommendation within sixty (60) days of a completed application.
Notify applicants of any expected delays.
Submit its recommendation to the PESC Board of Directors for final ratification.
The PESC Board of Directors is allowed seven (7) business days to ratify the recommendation.
The applicant will be notified of approval.

How long does the Seal of Approval process take?
The PESC Seal of Approval evaluation process takes approximately sixty (60) days once a completed application is received. In certain instances and depending on certain circumstances, the review process may be extended. Applicants will be notified if any delays are anticipated.

If a product or service is not approved for the PESC Seal of Approval, the applicant will receive a brief explanation of the decision from the SAB. Applicants may appeal in writing to the PESC Board of Directors within 30 calendar days. The Board will consider all appeals, and retains the right to consult with members of the original SAB or with external subject matter experts, as needed.

What is the cost?
The PESC Seal of Approval Application fee (non-refundable) is $1,000.00 for PESC Members and $2,500.00 for Non-Members.

Which organizations have been awarded the PESC Seal of Approval?
Organizations that have been awarded the PESC Seal of Approval will be listed on the PESC website, along with the corresponding products and/or services, and the applicable one-year term.

How often does an organization need to go through this process?
The Seal of Approval must be renewed annually from the date the Seal of Approval was originally granted.

Who are the SAB members?
For a complete list of SAB members, please visit the PESC website.

How do I get more information?
For more information, please visit www.PESC.org or call the national office at 202-261-6516.

A white paper written by Andrew Updegrove entitled, "Standards Compliance Certification And Branding In The Information And Communications Technology Sector" provides an excellent overview of why conformance is important and how to best go about it.

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