1. Right to Appeal
Any applicant or certified business has the right to appeal the following decisions made by Satvik Certified:
- Denial of certification after an initial audit
- Specific audit findings or non-conformity classifications
- Suspension of an active certification
- Revocation of certification
- Refusal to re-certify or reinstate a suspended certification
2. Timeline for Filing an Appeal
- Appeals must be filed within 15 business days of receiving the written decision being appealed.
- Appeals filed after 15 business days will not be considered unless exceptional circumstances are demonstrated.
3. How to File an Appeal
- Submit a written appeal to appeals@satvikcertified.in or via registered mail.
- The appeal must include:
- Business name and certification/application reference number
- The specific decision being appealed
- Grounds for the appeal — why the business believes the decision is incorrect
- Any supporting evidence (documents, photographs, records, third-party reports)
- Contact details for follow-up communication
4. Appeal Review Process
- Acknowledgement: Receipt of appeal is acknowledged within 3 business days.
- Panel formation: An independent Appeal Review Panel is formed within 10 business days. Panel members must not have been involved in the original decision being appealed.
- Document review: The panel reviews the original audit report, the business's appeal submission, and any additional evidence from both sides.
- Hearing (if requested): The business may request a hearing (in-person or virtual) to present their case. This is optional but available.
- Decision: The panel issues a written decision within 30 business days of the appeal filing.
5. Possible Appeal Outcomes
- Appeal upheld: The original decision is overturned or modified in favor of the appellant. Certification is granted, reinstated, or the non-conformity classification is changed.
- Appeal partially upheld: Some aspects of the original decision are modified, but others are maintained.
- Appeal rejected: The original decision is upheld. The panel provides written reasons for the rejection.
6. Effect on Certification Status During Appeal
- Filing an appeal does not automatically stay a suspension or revocation.
- The business may request a temporary stay. The panel may grant a stay if it determines that the appeal has a reasonable chance of success and no consumer safety concerns are present.
- During suspension, the business must continue to refrain from using the Satvik Certified mark.
7. Final Decision
The Appeal Review Panel's decision is final and binding. No further internal appeal is available. The business retains the right to pursue external legal remedies under the applicable laws of India.
8. Appeal Fee
A nominal appeal processing fee may apply. If the appeal is upheld (in full or in part), the appeal fee is refunded.
9. Independence and Fairness
Satvik Certified is committed to a fair, impartial, and independent appeal process. Panel members are selected for their objectivity and are required to disclose any conflicts of interest. Any panel member with a conflict is recused.
10. Contact
For appeal-related queries: appeals@satvikcertified.in or Contact Page.