Become a LUSH certification body
Certified by LUSH means that a Licenced Body awards the LUSH certification according to processes that comply with LUSH international standards. Hotels and tourism related businesses certified by a LUSH Licenced Body are guarantee of luxury sustainability and are authorized to use the LUSH logo.
Certification is the most reliable and cost effective way to build trust and credibility in the luxury sustainable tourism arena, with international scope.
All Corporate Bodies with programs relating to hotels/accommodations, tour operators, or destinations are encouraged and are eligible to apply.
In brief
What do we need to know before applying to become a certification body?
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You will go through the LUSH licencing process where you are evaluated against the standards outlined in ISO 17065 and other LUSH association additional requirements.
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In order to be eligible to get the LUSH licence, your organisation needs to be a formal legal entity that can be held legally responsible for its certification activities.
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Your organisation can be located worldwide.
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To ensure impartiality there must be no relevant connection between the certification body and the applicant. For example, you cannot provide consultancy services and certification to the same organisation.
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Your organisation should be able to demonstrate that your certification process complies with the international certification processes and LUSH standards. You must also confirm that you are not the subject of any ICO investigation or regulatory action that means you may not meet this requirement.
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Accreditation can take from 6-18 months depending on the nature of your organisation and the complexity of the certification scheme you want to deliver.
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LUSH association charge a fee for licencing.
How do we apply to become a certification body?
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Once you know what certification scheme you want to deliver you apply directly to LUSH association for a licence.
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LUSH licence includes an assessment of how you plan to audit and test organisations against the LUSH certification criteria.
How will public know about our new licence?
LUSH association publishes a list of certification bodies on their website, and we will link to their list of accredited organisations from our website.
What information will be published?
As a certification body you are required to create a directory of certified clients containing information required by ISO 17065 and the LUSH association additional accreditation requirements.
LUSH licencing fees
LUSH association fees are listed along with applications and instructions. Before the application review takes place, the Certification Body will sign an agreement with LUSH and a GSTC licensing agreement with GSTC for use of the GSTC Certified mark. Signature of both agreements will be required before the Accreditation application proceeds.
To know more about the LUSH accreditation procedure, please contact us.