Terms of Service

1. Scope and Services

We provide: (a) certification support and readiness services; (b) professional training and examinations; (c) consulting and implementation; and (d) certificate verification. We do not act as an accredited certification body unless explicitly stated in writing.

• Certification Support. Gap assessments, implementation guidance, internal audits, and pre-assessment activities for standards such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO/IEC 27001, ISO 22301, ISO 22000, FSSC 22000, etc.
• Training. Public, virtual, and on-site courses from foundation to lead auditor level; examinations may be delivered by AEC or authorized partners.
• Consulting. Advisory services on management systems, risk, compliance, and related topics.
• Verification. A lookup service to confirm certificates issued by AEC or by partnered accredited bodies where data is shared with us.

2. Ordering, Fees, Taxes

• Order Forms. Services begin after mutual execution of an Order Form/SoW or online enrollment confirmation.
• Fees. Fees are quoted exclusive of taxes, duties, and third-party certification body costs unless stated.
• Payments. Net 30 from invoice date. Late amounts may accrue interest at the lesser of 1.5% per month or the maximum allowed by law.
• Expenses. Client reimburses reasonable travel and out-of-pocket expenses pre-approved by Client or set in the SoW.
• Taxes. Client is responsible for applicable taxes. We will add taxes to invoices where required by law.

3. Cancellations, Rescheduling, Refunds

3.1 Training

• Public classes. Client may reschedule once at no fee with ≥ 10 business days' notice. Cancellations with ≥ 10 business days: refund minus 10% admin. < 10 business days: credit only. No-shows: no refund.
• On-site/virtual private classes. Rescheduling with ≥ 15 business days: no fee; < 15 business days: reschedule fee up to 25% of course fee plus non-refundable travel.
• Substitutions. Learner substitutions allowed up to class start if prerequisites are met.

3.2 Consulting & Certification Support

• Client may reschedule planned days with ≥ 7 business days' notice. < 7 business days may incur up to 50% day-rate for lost time and committed travel.
• Prepaid blocks are non-refundable but transferable as service credits for 12 months.

3.3 Force Majeure

Neither party is liable for delays caused by events beyond reasonable control (e.g., natural disasters, war, strikes, epidemics, utility failures, supplier outages). Obligations resume once performance becomes possible.

4. Certification Disclaimers

• Certification decisions are made solely by the accredited certification body (the "CB"). AEC does not guarantee a certification outcome.
• Standards and CB rules may change. Client is responsible for ongoing compliance and surveillance obligations.
• CB selection is Client's choice. We may recommend CBs but do not control their fees, schedules, or decisions.
• Verification listings reflect information provided by CBs and clients and may be updated or withdrawn.

5. Training Terms

• Prerequisites. Certain courses require prior knowledge or completion of foundation modules.
• Exams. Exam formats and rules are set by AEC or partners (e.g., CQI/IRCA, scheme owners). ID verification may be required.
• Results & Retakes. Results are issued within a reasonable time. One retake may be offered under the then-current retake fee and policy.
• Certificates. Digital certificates/CPD statements are issued to successful learners. We may validate authenticity via our verification service.
• Recording & IP. Class materials are protected works. Recording or redistribution is prohibited without written consent.
• Conduct. We may remove learners for disruptive behavior, academic dishonesty, or policy breaches without refund.

6. Consulting Terms

• Approach. Advisory in nature. Client retains management responsibility and decision-making.
• Deliverables. Deliverables and acceptance criteria are defined in the SoW. Absent stated criteria, deemed accepted upon delivery unless issues are reported within 10 business days.
• Change Control. Out-of-scope work requires a written change order with adjusted fees/schedule.
• Staffing. We may use employees, affiliates, or vetted subcontractors. We remain responsible for delivery.
• Non-Solicitation. During the term and 12 months thereafter, neither party will solicit the other's assigned staff without consent, excluding general public recruiting.

7. Certificate Verification Service

• Public verification confirms limited attributes (holder, scope, standard, issue/expiry dates, issuing body) as available.
• Verification is informational only. Third parties must perform their own due diligence.
• We may suspend or correct records to address errors, fraud, or privacy concerns.

8. Intellectual Property

• Pre-existing IP. Each party retains ownership of its pre-existing IP.
• Work Product. Upon full payment, Client receives a worldwide, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to use deliverables for internal business purposes. No right to sublicense, distribute, or publish training content unless agreed in writing.
• Logos & Marks. Client may reference AEC name/logo in factual statements about completed services with prior written approval and in accordance with our brand guidelines. Use of ISO, IAF, GFSI, or CB logos is subject to those owners' rules and is often restricted.

9. Confidentiality

"Confidential Information" means non-public information disclosed by a party that is marked or reasonably understood as confidential. The receiving party will use it only to perform under these terms, protect it with reasonable care, and not disclose it except to personnel and subprocessors bound by duties no less protective. Exclusions apply to information that is public, independently developed, or rightfully received without duty. Court-ordered disclosures are permitted with prompt notice if lawful.

10. Data Protection & Privacy

• Roles. For training records, learner accounts, and client contact data, AEC is a controller. For certain managed services (e.g., hosting client data in templates/tools), AEC may act as a processor.
• DPA. Where AEC acts as processor, the parties will execute a Data Processing Addendum (DPA) incorporating appropriate safeguards (e.g., SCCs for cross-border transfers).
• Compliance. AEC will process personal data per applicable laws (e.g., GDPR, UK GDPR, CCPA/CPRA as applicable) and our Privacy Policy.
• Security. AEC maintains reasonable technical and organizational measures. Security details available upon request under NDA.
• Retention. We keep records for legitimate business and legal purposes, then delete or anonymize.
• Cookies. See our Cookie Policy for web tracking disclosures and consent mechanisms.
• Requests. Contact: [email protected] for data subject requests.

11. Compliance & Ethics

• Each party complies with applicable laws, including anti-bribery (e.g., FCPA, UK Bribery Act), trade sanctions, export controls, and modern slavery laws.
• Client will not request or offer anything that compromises impartiality, independence, or integrity of training, consulting, or any certification process.
• Client warrants it has lawful authority to supply all content, data, and access needed for the work.

12. Warranties & Disclaimers

• We warrant professional services will be delivered with reasonable skill and care consistent with industry standards.
• EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY STATED, SERVICES ARE PROVIDED "AS IS". WE DISCLAIM ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, INCLUDING MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.
• No statement in marketing or training guarantees certification or regulatory approval.

13. Liability & Indemnities

• Cap. Our aggregate liability arising out of or related to the services will not exceed the fees paid or payable by Client to AEC under the applicable Order Form in the 12 months preceding the first claim.
• Exclusions. Neither party is liable for indirect, incidental, consequential, special, exemplary, or punitive damages, or loss of profits, revenue, goodwill, or data.
• Indemnity by AEC. We will defend and indemnify Client against third-party claims alleging that our AEC-owned training materials or deliverables infringe IP, subject to customary exclusions and Client's prompt notice and cooperation.
• Indemnity by Client. Client will defend and indemnify AEC against claims arising from Client's data, instructions, misuse, or violations of law.

14. Term, Suspension, Termination

• These terms start on the Effective Date and continue until terminated. Individual Order Forms/SoWs state service durations.
• Either party may terminate for material breach not cured within 30 days after written notice.
• We may suspend services for non-payment, legal or security risks, or Client violations, after notice where practicable.
• On termination, Client pays for services performed and committed non-cancelable costs. Sections intended to survive will survive.

15. General

• Governing Law. These terms are governed by the laws of Pennsylvania, excluding its conflicts rules. Courts of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania have exclusive jurisdiction.
• Notices. Legal notices must be sent by email to [email protected] and by courier to: AEC International LLC, 1500 Market Street, Suite 1200, Philadelphia, PA 19102, United States.
• Assignment. Neither party may assign without consent, except to an affiliate or in connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of substantially all assets.
• Independent Contractors. The parties are independent contractors.
• Severability. If a provision is unenforceable, the remainder stays in effect.
• Entire Agreement. These terms, the Privacy and Cookie Policies, and applicable Order Forms/SoWs form the entire agreement and supersede prior agreements on the subject.
• Amendments. Changes must be in writing. We may update online terms for future orders and renewals.
• Interpretation. Headings are for convenience only. "Including" means "including without limitation".