Country-specific
Each market uses relevant terminology, business context and suitable evidence within a consistent European framework.
Assessment methodology
A trust mark must be explainable.
This public overview explains the principles, assessment dimensions and decision lifecycle behind Proven™ certification. Detailed country-specific thresholds and evidence rules are governed within the applicable methodology.
Core principles
Consistency, evidence and clear limits.
Evidence-led
Decisions use defined information sources and supporting evidence, with gaps and limitations treated explicitly.
Time-limited
Certification is issued for a defined period and does not imply permanent or future performance.
Verifiable
The public record confirms identity, status and dates without disclosing confidential assessment information.
Assessment dimensions
More than one signal.
No single indicator is presented as proof of overall trustworthiness. The final framework will combine defined dimensions and exclusion criteria.
Identity & status
Legal identity, registration, trading status and corporate record.
Continuity
Evidence of established activity and relevant filing history.
Financial context
Available business and financial information assessed within defined limits.
Material risk
Relevant adverse information, inconsistencies and unresolved concerns.
Supporting evidence
Company-authorised information where public sources are not sufficient.
Decision review
Documented review before certification, deferral or decline.
Evidence hierarchy
Information is used with context.
Availability and reliability differ by country and company type. Evidence is assessed using the sources and rules defined for the applicable country and assessment period.
| Priority | Evidence type |
|---|---|
| Core evidence | Defined business and financial information authorised for the applicable assessment. |
| Supporting | Documents and information supplied or authorised by the applicant. |
| Corroborating | Other credible information used to confirm context or identify material issues. |
| Not sufficient alone | Marketing claims, anonymous commentary or an unsupported self-declaration. |
Decision lifecycle
From application to renewal.
Eligibility
Scope and identity check
Confirm that the legal entity, country and available evidence fit the current certification scope.
Assessment
Evidence review
Evaluate the current evidence using the applicable methodology version and record material limitations.
Decision
Certify, defer or decline
A successful result permits certification; missing or conflicting evidence may lead to deferral or decline.
Monitoring
Status can change
Material new information may trigger review, suspension or withdrawal before the scheduled expiry date.
Renewal
Reassessment, not automatic extension
Renewal is based on a new review under the methodology applicable at that time.
Methodology governance
How the methodology is maintained.
Country-specific evidence maps, thresholds, exclusion rules, review cadence and decision controls are maintained as part of the applicable methodology. Material changes are governed and reflected in future assessments.