Emphasising the Principles of Certification
HallMark Veterinary & Compliance Services: A Reminder on the Principles of Certification for Veterinarians and Export Clients
In the realm of veterinary services, certification plays a pivotal role in maintaining animal health and welfare, facilitating international trade, and safeguarding public health. HallMark Veterinary & Compliance Services is committed to upholding the highest standards of certification integrity. As such, we wish to remind our Official Veterinarians (OVs) and export clients about the critical Principles of Certification that govern our professional duties.
The Role of Veterinary Certification
Veterinary certification encompasses a wide range of documents, from pet passports to export health certificates (EHC) for animal products. These documents are vital for verifying health statuses, compliance with legal standards, and fitness for travel or breeding. For veterinarians, especially those designated as Official Veterinarians (OVs), the act of certifying these documents is a significant professional responsibility that must be approached with diligence and integrity.
Emphasising the 10 Principles of Certification
The 10 Principles of Certification form the bedrock of veterinary certification activities, ensuring that veterinarians certify based on their knowledge, personal ascertainment, or reliable evidence. These principles also address avoiding conflicts of interest, ensuring language comprehension, and the issuance of original, clear, and unambiguous certificates.
Certify What You Know: Veterinarians should certify only matters within their knowledge, personally ascertained, or supported by evidence from an Authorised Veterinarian or Officially Authorised Person (OAP).
Avoid Conflicts of Interest: Ensure impartiality and avoid situations where commercial, financial, or other pressures might compromise certification integrity.
Language Comprehension: Certificates should be in a language the veterinarian understands, with official translations provided when necessary.
Compliance with Laws: Do not certify compliance with foreign laws unless the provisions are clearly understood and provided in writing by the Competent Authority.
Original Certificates: Only sign original certificates, with provisions for legally required duplicates or copies.
Accuracy and Completeness: Ensure certificates are complete, accurate, and include the veterinarian's signature, name, qualifications, and address.
Simplicity and Clarity: Use simple, clear terms that are easy to understand, avoiding ambiguity.
Unique Identifier and Record Keeping: Certificates should have a unique identifier, be part of an integrated document, and be retained with relevant records.
Unambiguous Language: Avoid words or phrases capable of multiple interpretations.
Clear Subject Identification: Ensure the subject of the certificate is clearly identified, with exceptions noted for impractical cases.
Our Commitment to Certification Standards
At HallMark, we emphasise the importance of these principles in our daily operations and certification processes. Our veterinarians are well-trained and familiar with these guidelines, ensuring that every certificate we issue meets the highest standards of integrity and compliance.
For veterinarians involved in export certification, it's crucial to apply these principles diligently, maintaining the trust of clients, regulatory bodies, and international partners. We encourage our export clients to engage with us, ensuring a smooth and compliant certification process.
Further Guidance and Support
For more detailed guidance on the Principles of Certification and their application, we recommend visiting the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) website. This resource provides comprehensive insights into certification best practices and professional responsibilities.
