Governance & Policy

Withdrawal (Certification Status)

Meaning statusEmergingSource recordDirect document linkedWhy these are different

Definition

Withdrawal is a certification status in which a certificate ceases to be valid — initiated by the certification body after unresolved nonconformities or by the holder voluntarily surrendering certification. Unlike suspension, which is temporary pending corrective action, withdrawal is final and ends claims and licences.

References

ISO/IECISO/IEC 17065 — suspension and withdrawal obligations

Supports definition and framing.

Overview

How it is used

Certification bodies apply withdrawal after failed audits or unaddressed major nonconformities; buyers and regulators check registers when validating claims; green claims enforcement relies on current certificate status to police misuse of labels.

Why it matters

Sanction statuses give certification teeth. Transparent withdrawal records protect the integrity of sustainability claims and enable market surveillance.