Issuance, Revocation, Complaints & Misuse

1. Issuance

1.1 Berlin ICC certificates are issued exclusively through Authorized Issuing Partners listed in the public register, for programs within the partner's authorized scope.

1.2 A Certificate of Achievement requires (a) completion of the audited program and (b) a passing result in the partner's assessment as reviewed under the BQF. A Certificate of Attendance requires completion of the required participation only.

1.3 Every certificate carries a unique Certificate Identification Number (CIN), a QR code linking to the Global Credential Registry, the certificate type, the program title, the issuing partner and the issue date. A document lacking these elements or whose CIN does not resolve in the registry is not a Berlin ICC certificate.

1.4 The holder's name is recorded as supplied by the issuing partner. Holders may request a correction of their name through the verification page or by e-mail; corrections are approved by Berlin ICC and reflected in the registry and the reissued document.

1.5 Certificates do not expire unless an expiry date is stated on the document. Registry records show the status “valid” or “revoked”.

1.6 Every certificate and every registry record carries the statement that the document is an independent, private-sector certificate and not a state-recognized degree, diploma, vocational qualification or professional license. Authorized Issuing Partners must include the same statement in their pre-contractual information to participants.

2. Suspension and Revocation

2.1 Berlin ICC may revoke a certificate where it was obtained through fraud, impersonation, plagiarism or misrepresentation; where the assessment on which it was based is found not to meet the BQF; where the issuing partner's authorization for the program is withdrawn for cause; or at the written request of the holder.

2.2 Before revocation, the holder is notified at the e-mail address on file and given 14 days to respond, except where fraud is evident. Revoked certificates remain in the registry marked as revoked; the PDF and image are no longer served.

2.3 Berlin ICC may suspend or withdraw a partner's authorization following an audit finding, a substantiated complaint or a breach of the partnership agreement. Certificates issued during a valid authorization period remain verifiable with their original date unless individually revoked under 2.1.

3. Complaints and Appeals

3.1 Anyone may submit a complaint concerning a certificate, an Authorized Issuing Partner or the conduct of Berlin ICC to info@berlinicc.com. Complaints are acknowledged within 5 business days and answered within 30 days; the complainant is informed if more time is required.

3.2 A certificate holder or partner institution may appeal a decision of Berlin ICC (refusal, revocation, suspension, audit finding) in writing within 30 days of notification, stating the grounds. Appeals are reviewed by a person not involved in the original decision. The outcome is communicated in writing within 30 days.

3.3 Complaints and appeals are handled confidentially. Berlin ICC keeps a record of complaints and their resolution for quality-management purposes.

3.4 These procedures do not limit any statutory rights, including the right to lodge a complaint with a data protection authority or to bring a claim before the competent courts.

4. Misuse of Name, Seal and Certificates

4.1 The name “Berlin International Certification Center”, “Berlin ICC”, the seal and the certificate layouts are the property of TALKTOWEB Berlin GmbH. Their use is permitted only to Authorized Issuing Partners within the partnership agreement and to certificate holders in displaying their own valid certificate.

4.2 Producing, altering, selling or using a document that imitates a Berlin ICC certificate, or presenting a revoked certificate as valid, is prohibited. Berlin ICC reports suspected forgery to the competent authorities and pursues civil remedies.

4.3 To report misuse, e-mail info@berlinicc.com with the certificate number and a copy of the document. Reports may be made anonymously.

5. Records and Data Retention

5.1 Registry records (holder name, CIN, certificate type, program, issuing partner, issue date, status) are retained for as long as the certificate is intended to be verifiable and for 10 years after revocation, to preserve the integrity of the register. Holders may request earlier erasure; erased certificates can no longer be verified.

5.2 Audit files of partner institutions are retained for the duration of the partnership plus 5 years.

5.3 Data protection terms are set out in the Privacy Policy (GDPR).

6. Changes

Berlin ICC may update these policies. The current version and its date are published on this page; material changes are communicated to partner institutions in writing.

7. Communication Guidelines for Partners

7.1 Authorized Issuing Partners describe Berlin ICC certificates only with the approved wording below or wording of equivalent meaning. Approved statements:

• “An internationally recognized, private-sector Certificate of Achievement / Certificate of Attendance issued under the Berlin ICC quality standard.”
• “This program has successfully passed the Berlin ICC curriculum quality standards.”
• “Berlin ICC is an independent certification and quality assurance standard operated by TALKTOWEB Berlin GmbH, Berlin, Germany.”
• “Designed as independent proof of practical competence for the global job market.”

7.2 The following claims are prohibited in any language and any medium, including advertisements, websites, social media and sales conversations:

• that the certificate is “valid” or “accredited” by a state, ministry, university or national accreditation body, or provides equivalence (e.g. “denklik”) to a state qualification;
• that Berlin ICC is a public authority, a university or an accredited certification body under ISO/IEC 17024 or ISO/IEC 17065;
• that the certificate entitles the holder to practice a regulated profession, or replaces a license, diploma or degree required by law;
• that the certificate is “approved” or “recognized” by the European Union, the German or Turkish government or any of their agencies.

7.3 Partners may use the Berlin ICC name, seal and partner badge only in the form provided by Berlin ICC and only for the programs within their authorized scope. A breach of these guidelines is a breach of the partnership agreement and may lead to suspension or withdrawal of authorization under section 2.