A certification mark [1] is a type of trademark owned by an organization (a “certifying organization”), but used by authorized users (a “certified user”) to show that their goods or services have met certain standards. Contrasted with a traditional trademark or a non-traditional trademark that is owned by and used by an organization, or a collective mark that is used by members of an organization to indicate membership in the organization.

A certification mark’s sole purpose is to indicate that goods or services meet certain standards set by the certifying organization. These standards may relate to geographic origin (e.g., NEW YORK STATE GROWN & CERTIFIED); quality, materials, or manufacturing standards (e.g., ENERGY STAR certified); and work or labor standards (e.g., FLORIDA REGISTERED PARALEGAL). Unlike a typical trademark, the owner of a certification mark does not use the mark themselves; instead, they permit others to use the mark once they’ve demonstrated compliance with the established standards.

An application for a certification mark must include a statement of the characteristics the mark certifies, along with a copy of the certification standards governing how the certification mark is used. All certification marks are categorized into class A for goods or class B for services.

Certification marks were formally recognized in the United States with the passage of the Lanham Act in 1946, which took effect on July 5, 1947. There are currently almost 9,000 active certification mark registrations. The oldest still-active certification mark registration is for the Allied Printing Trades Council Union Label certification mark [2], first used in 1911 and first registered February 22, 1949.

Other long-lasting certification mark registrations include the Roquefort Logo certification mark [3], first used in 1866 and first registered March 10, 1953, the Grown In Idaho certification mark [4], first used in 1955 and first registered July 24, 1956, the Genuine Bavarian Beer Logo certification mark [5], first used in 1957 and first registered February 2, 1960, the Cuban Cigar Logo certification mark [6], first used in 1930 and first registered September 10, 1963, and the MPAA Ratings Logos, including the G [7], PG [8], PG-13 [9], R [10], and NC-17 [11] certification marks, each with varying first use and registration dates.

Want to learn more about trademarks? Check out our posts on Why Should I Care About Trademarks?, 5 Key Facts About Trademarks, and I Think I Understand IP, But Can You Give Me An Example?.