Terms and conditions - Certificates

Last updated: September 2025

Service: zeroconsent.eu

Provider / Owner: Chris Ahrweiler, D-40627 Düsseldorf, Germany

These Terms and Conditions (“Terms”) govern your use of the certification services provided at zeroconsent.eu (the “Service”), including evaluation, certification issuance, renewal, listing, and badge/mark usage related to Zero-Consent Architecture (ZCA). By submitting an application, purchasing a certificate, using our verification tools or artwork, or displaying a ZCA badge/mark, you agree to these Terms.

1. Service Description

The Service evaluates websites, products, or infrastructures for compliance with the ZCA Criteria (no consent required for operation; no tracking cookies/banners; privacy-preserving operation, etc.). Where requirements are met, the Provider may issue a time-bound certificate and grant limited rights to display the ZCA badge/mark and to be included in a public directory of certified entities.

The Service may include: (i) application intake and documentation review; (ii) technical verification (automated and/or manual); (iii) issuance of digital certificates and artwork; (iv) renewal reviews; (v) public verification endpoints; and (vi) compliance monitoring.

2. Eligibility

  • You are at least 18 years old and have authority to bind the applicant (company, project, or site owner).
  • You provide accurate, complete, and current information and will promptly update it when it changes.
  • You agree to these Terms and all ZCA badge/usage guidelines published by the Service.

3. Application, Verification & Certification

  • Application: You submit the requested details (domains, product scope, documentation, technical settings).
  • Verification: The Provider may perform automated scans, manual reviews, and request proofs (temporary headers, DNS tokens, screenshots, logs, or limited test access). You must cooperate reasonably.
  • Scope: Certificates apply only to the explicitly listed products, versions, and/or domains. Material changes (infrastructure, tracking stack, data flows) require re-evaluation.
  • Outcome: Certification is at the Provider’s discretion based on the ZCA Criteria in effect at the time of review.

4. Fees, Pricing & Refunds

  • Fees: Application, verification, issuance, and renewal may be charged as listed on the site or in an offer.
  • Refunds: Fees are non-refundable once review work has started, except where required by applicable consumer protection law.
  • Taxes/VAT: Prices may include or exclude taxes depending on your location and applicable law.

5. Term, Renewal & Changes

  • Term: Certificates are valid only for the period stated on the certificate/badge and only while the ZCA Criteria remain satisfied.
  • Renewal: Prior to expiry, you may request renewal; the Provider may require a fresh review.
  • Continuous Compliance: You must maintain compliance throughout the term and notify the Provider of material changes that could affect compliance.

6. Badge/Mark Usage

  • You may display the ZCA badge/mark only for the certified scope and only during a valid certification term.
  • Do not alter the badge except for size; maintain clear space and legibility; no misleading or defamatory contexts.
  • Do not imply certification of anything outside the certified scope (e.g., other products, subdomains, or environments).
  • Upon expiry, suspension, or revocation, you must promptly remove the badge/mark and any claims of certification.

7. Suspension & Revocation

  • The Provider may suspend or revoke certification and directory listing if: (i) the ZCA Criteria are no longer met; (ii) information was false or misleading; (iii) you fail to cooperate with a compliance check; or (iv) fees remain unpaid.
  • Where feasible, the Provider may offer a short remediation window; urgent privacy risks may lead to immediate suspension.

8. Public Directory & Announcements

Certified entities may be listed in a public directory and may be referenced in marketing materials. You grant the Provider a limited license to use your name, logo, and certified domain(s)/product name(s) for this purpose. You may opt out of public listing where legally required or contractually agreed in writing.

9. External Services & Data

The Service may use external infrastructure (e.g., scanning endpoints, DNS verification, email delivery). By using the Service, you consent to the technical processing necessary to operate it. For personal data handling, see the Privacy Policy.

10. Your Responsibilities

  • Configure and operate your product/site in line with the ZCA Criteria and applicable law.
  • Provide timely, accurate information and reasonable cooperation during audits or checks.
  • Avoid any misleading public statements about certification or scope.

11. Intellectual Property

The ZCA name, badge/marks, criteria documentation, and all related materials are owned by the Provider. You receive only a limited, revocable, non-transferable license to use the badge/mark during an active, valid certification and strictly per these Terms. You retain rights to your own trademarks and content.

12. No Warranty / Disclaimer

The Service (including reviews, tools, certificates, and badges) is provided “as is” and “as available”. The Provider disclaims all warranties, express or implied, including non-infringement, merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, performance, or uptime. Certification reflects a point-in-time assessment based on supplied information and observed behavior; it is not a guarantee of legal compliance or third-party behavior.

13. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, the Provider is not liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, special, exemplary, or punitive damages, or for lost profits, revenue, data, or business. The Provider’s total aggregate liability for all claims related to the Service is limited to the total amount you paid to the Provider for the certification at issue in the 12 months preceding the event giving rise to the claim.

14. Changes to Criteria & Terms

The Provider may update the ZCA Criteria and these Terms. Updates will be posted on the website. Continuing to use the Service or continuing to display the badge after updates take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated terms. Material criteria changes may require re-evaluation.

15. Governing Law & Venue

These Terms are governed by the laws of Germany. Exclusive venue for disputes shall be the courts of Düsseldorf, Germany.

16. Contact

  • Email: info@zeroconsent.eu
  • Owner: Chris Ahrweiler
  • Address: D-40627 Düsseldorf, Germany

Acceptance

By applying for certification, purchasing, renewing, using the verification tools, or displaying a ZCA badge/mark, you confirm your acceptance of these Terms.