EUROPEAN EXCELLENCE CERTIFICATION SYSTEM
EEX 1001:2006
European Excellence Certification
- Description of Certification System
1st updated edition
Valid from January 2007
Preface
The text of the document “European Excellence Certification – Description of Certification System” was elaborated by Association of Czech Producers of Musical Instruments (AVHN), then it was submitted to members of Confederation of European Music Industries (CAFIM) to formal voting and approved as EEX 1001:2006 on January 2006. The 1st updated edition was elaborated based on EEX Consortium members’ remarks in August 2006.
The European Excellence Certification System was established as a support for sale of European musical instruments. An intention to elaborate the European Excellence Certification System was submitted by the president of the Association of Czech Producers of Musical instruments (AVHN) in the conference of Confederation of European Music Industries (CAFIM) on September 16, 2005 where this intention was positively accepted.
Consortium EEX, founded by CAFIM members on August 30, 2006 in Prague, is the managing body of the European Excellence System. Its members represent major interest groups in the field of production and sale of musical instruments.
Contents
Introduction
1. Subject of the Document
2. Definitions
3. Abbreviations
4. Certification Criteria
5. European Certification Excellence
5.1 Applicant for the Certification
5.2 EEX Certificate and Licence
5.3 Application for the Certification
5.4 Register of Certified Producers
6. Inspections and Penalties
Introduction
The European Excellence Certification (hereinafter referred to as EEX only) is a voluntary tool that can support efforts of producers of musical instruments and is a suitable tool of communicating quality and origin of musical instruments towards customers.
The EEX certification system is a system of certification of products’ origin.
1 Subject of the Document
The basic goal of this document consists in specification of the system evaluating and certifying traditional European music instruments i.e. products meeting terms and conditions mentioned below in Art. 4
This document is valid for EEX evaluation and certification and is publicly available.
The EEX certification system is based on valid legislation related to origin authentication of European goods.
2 Definitions
For purposes of this document, the following definitions are applied:
Certification: processes based on which the third party issues a written guarantee that a respective product meets the specified requirements
Certification Authority: Commissioner by Consortium EEX which evaluates and certifies products in compliance with published specified requirements
Certification System : a system which has its own certification rules and procedures
Compliance Certificate: a document issued according to rules and standards of the Certification System declaring that a properly identified product is in compliance with specified requirements (see Chapter 4. hereof)
European Excellence: marking of a traditional European music instrument, semifinished product or accessories
Trademark: the trademark shall be understood a registered graphic symbol EUROPEAN EXCELLENCE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS specified in Appendix n° 1
3 Abbreviations
For purposes of this document, the following abbreviations are applied:
EEX European Excellence
CAFIM Confederation of European Music Industries
Consortium EEX Voluntary association of CAFIM members in order to realize EEX projects
4 Certification Criteria
The EEX certification system criteria related to producers of musical instruments, semifinished products and accessories for the purpose of getting the EEX certificate for a product. The indicators for evaluating the compliance with criteria of the European Excellence Certification system are as follows:
1) the producer must proove the product is made in the EU (partial and final assembling)
2) the producer must authenticate that 61% of the final product (parts or materials) originated in the EU
3) payment of administrative charges (see Scale of Charges)
4) membership to national and supranational associations in Europe representing the interests of manufacturers as well as to distributors of European musical instruments and appurtenant accessories.
5 The European Excellence Certification
The EEX certification system is based on the product certification principle within the framework of which the Certification Authority evaluates its compliance with specified requirements for a music instrument or semi-finished product if being a final product intended for sale.
Products of a trademark which shall meet certification conditions (see Chap. 4) subject to certification.
5. 1 Applicant for the Certification
The applicant for EEX certification is a natural person or legal entity manufacturing final musical instruments, semi-finished products or accessories for production of musical instruments originating EU member country, or from a country which signed an EU association agreement as the case may be..
5. 2 EEX Certificate and Licence
The EEX certificate shall be issued to an applicant by the Certification Authority on the basis of a positive result related to the made certification and the Licence Agreement is concluded with a successful applicant at the same time.
The Certificate is granted and the Licence Agreement is agreed on for the period of 1 year.
The Certificate is marked with a code providing clear identification of the certificate holder. The certificate code system is specified below in Chap. 5.4 hereof.
5. 2.1 The subject of declaration:
The Consortium EEX and CAFIM declare that the company xxxxxxx has fulfilled European Excellence terms and conditions according to EEX 1001 : 2006 and its product can be labelled with the EU country of origin.
Based on the Certificate the manufacturer is entitled to use the EEX trademark. The manufacturer of final products can mark instruments with this trademark or use this trademark on the Certificate enclosed to the instruments; the manufacturer of semi-finished products or accessories can use this trademark on the Certificate enclosed to the semi-finished products.
5. 3 Application for the Certification
The Applicant for the EEX Certification must apply for Certification at an appropriate certification authority.
The Application for the Certification shall contain:
(a) Applicant’s identification data i.e. firm name, firm ID, registered office in particular;
(b) Clear identification of the certification subject (i.e. in case the producer manufactures musical instruments with more trademarks, he shall specify the list of the trademarks he applies that they be certified);
(c) Data related to the certification subject necessary for evaluating the EEX criteria compliance;
(d) Applicant’s consent to use the information regarding the product for the purpose of its certification;
(e) Applicant´s consent to certification terms and conditions:
- immediate notification of any changes having an impact on fulfilment of the certification terms and conditions to the EEX Consortium
- Applicant’s consent to an inspection carried out by Certification Authority’s representatives in Applicant‘s company
- In the event of any unauthorized trademark use, the Applicant shall pay a sanction fee in amount of EUR 100 000 to the Certification Authority.
5. 4 Register of Certified Producers
The central standard registration of certified producers of musical instruments /semi-finished products / accessories for production of musical instruments is ensured through the mediation of a code system related to particular certificates. This Register of Certified Trademarks is a public register of producers and certified trademarks that can use the EEX Trademark.
Certificates coding system:
MM. YYYY. OOO- M
- MM – month and YYYY - year of certificate’s issue (e.g. March 2007 = 03.2007)
- OOO – Certificate’s serial number assigned by the Certification Authority
- M - identification whether an applicant is a Consortium member or not (M – EEX Consortium member, N – not a member)
6 Inspections and Penalties
The sampling inspection over adherence to terms and conditions under which the Certificate / Licence Agreement was granted is carried out by the Certification Authority’s representative.
In case any breach of terms and conditions related to granting the Certificate / Licence Agreement are found, the Certification Authority or EEX Consortium’s Commissioner is authorized to:
(a) admonish the Producer in case of a less serious breach of terms and conditions communicating the date of rectification;
(b) forbid the Producer to use the EEX trademark for the period of up to 5 years in case of any repeated or serious breach of terms and conditions and pay a penalty rate.
Appendix 1 - LOGO
