In order to ensure that the interests of the members, distributors and customers are secured, the terms for use of the FNK-sign should be uniform in all countries and by all members. The main condition is that the FNK-sign may be used only for licensed products which meet the objectives specified in the relevant SBC and thereby have received an INSTA-CERT certificate.
Definitions: the NORDIC QUALITY sign is a registered logotype administered by INSTA-CERT and awarded licensed products. The use of the NORDIC QUALITY sign for licensed products is voluntary. The FNK Council is open to all companies awarded a certificate based on an SBC for Sanitary Products. INSTA-CERT is the cooperation body of the leading Nordic Certifying companies. GRC and SBC are documents specifying the conditions for a relevant certificate. Licensee is the company awarded a certificate from INSTA-CERT, based on the relevant GRC/SBC

1. Rights and obligations for use of the NORDIC QUALITY sign

1.1
The licensee is entitled to use the NORDIC QUALITY sign for the products that meets the regulations and objectives of the SBC in question. The FNK-sign and the standard text describing the purpose of the same can be used only in the way described in the Nordic Quality Council Label Graphical Manual (containing the logo-type, colours, size recommendations, proportions and examples of the correct use of the logo-type/ NORDIC QUALITY sign).

The NORDIC QUALITY sign may not be used as a fixed part of a company name or trademark. The label may neither be used to advertise the manufacturer as such, nor on the manufacturer’s business papers. It is not allowed by licensed manufacturer to advertise unlicensed products/range of products with the help of the FNK-sign. Ref. INSTA-CERT (GRC): 2004 paragraphs 9.4 and 9.5

1.2
The NORDIC QUALITY sign may not be used in such a way, in documentation or on the product, that questions may arise as of the identity of the producer.

1.3
The FNK council alone can decide in matters concerning how and from which material the NORDIC QUALITY sign may be produced.

1.4
The FNK council may publish instructions for the use of the sign in separate and/or joint advertisement in order to secure free market competition and prevention of misuse.

1.5
Suspension, withdrawal or revoke of a licence and thereby the right to carry the sign is regulated in INSTA-CERT (GRC): 2004, paragraph 10. The referred document regulates these matters that are administered by the citifying body entirely.

2 Labelling the product

2.1
Individual, certified products may voluntarily be labelled with the NORDIC QUALITY sign. However, the size of label should be adapted to that of the brand logotype. (Ref. § 1.2)

2.2
The individual product delivery package/identification may be labelled with the NORDIC QUALITY sign on a voluntary basis. However, the size and position of FNK-sign should be adapted to that of the brand logotype. (Ref. § 1.2)

3 Brochures, catalogues, priced lists, technical documents and web-pages

3.1
When using the NORDIC QUALITY sign in brochure materials and technical documents the same must be directly related to licensed product/products. The layout of the material has to be designed in a way that it supports and clarifies this relation. The correct use of the NORDIC QUALITY sign (for ex. proportions, colours) is specified in the Graphical Manual.

3.2
The use of the NORDIC QUALITY sign in decoration/interior images or images with other not certified products, where product certification would be possible, is prohibited. However, if all the products in a picture have the certificate the label may be used in the mentioned images.

3.3
The standard text explaining the purpose of the NORDIC QUALITY sign should always appear next the sign in all FNK member brochures/publications containing certified products. The standard text is a part of the Graphic Manual.

4 Using the sign in the own www-pages

4.1
Paragraphs 3.1 to 3.3 also apply to photographs published in other medias.

5 Advertising

5.1
When used for own advertising purposes the sign must be directly related to licensed product/products. The layout of the material has to be designed in a way that it supports and clarifies this relation. It is prohibited to use the NORDIC QUALITY sign in images advertising non- certified product/products as a main role (i.e images with other products, materials or views).

Licensee is not allowed to advertise or make any claims using the NORDIC QUALITY sign or clarifying text in a way that is misleading or confusing. (Ref. § 1.2)

5.2
Dealers and distributors may only show the NORDIC QUALITY sign in advertisement or shop decoration when directly and correctly connected to the logotype or certified product of a FNK member.

5.3
FNK promotes for two or more licensees to do joint images for advertising the NORDIC QUALITY sign and its purpose to customers and/or counterparts. This type of advertising must always be performed according to the standards of the Graphic Manual with a mandatory reference to the FNK-council name and web-page address. (And INSTA-CERT as a certifying partner if so agreed.)

5.4
Image advertising ordered and organized by the council must always incorporate the NORDIC QUALITY sign accompanied by the standard text. The sender should in this case be “the Council”. All registered FNK members at the time of publication should be listed if references are made to the companies entitled to use the FNK-sign.