Nominations and Proactive Research
GSQA-PRG-007 · 2.0 · 2026-10-19
1. Registering candidates
Record the source channel, nominator or researcher, product, market, original links, reports, comparison basis and interests. Source registration does not establish brand authorisation or an award.
2. Progression to formal verification
Link the candidate to a formal application only once complete reports, authority to apply, necessary English-language and authentication documents, publication rights and the standard procedural material are available. If necessary evidence or rights cannot be obtained, it remains research material and no certificate is issued.
3. Sources and statistics
Research databases and external awards cannot be automatically converted into Gold Standard Quality Awards records. Statistics distinguish candidates, formal applications and award events. Proactive research must not inflate the number of awards.
4. External expert nominations
Provide professional background, product identity, target market, test sources, reasons for the nomination and interests. A nomination first creates a candidate record, not an award.
5. Proactive research
Researchers search lawful public sources for product, standard and testing information, recording comparable parameters and potential margins. Where evidence or rights are insufficient, the product remains a research candidate and no award certificate is generated.
6. Direct brand applications
Brand rights holders, manufacturers, importers or duly authorised organisations submit the actual product, complete reports and supporting evidence according to the checklist. Verification begins following formal submission.
7. One procedure for all three routes
An award requires complete evidence, authority to apply, publication rights, a core margin and an independent decision. Other awards, nominations or inclusion in research create no automatic entitlement to an award.
8. Nomination requirements
Provide the nominator’s identity and professional background, genuine product and model, target market, original test source and comparable evidence of superior performance. Disclose interests relating to the brand or product.
9. After a nomination
A receipt is generated on submission, followed by research into evidence and scope. An award is not granted directly while documentation, authority or publication rights remain incomplete. Formal verification applies the same conditions.
10. Records, administration and correction
For matters covered by this document, records must retain the application or case number, specific product and market, version used, documents and page references, responsible personnel, material dates, reasons and formal notices. Personal information and trade secrets are handled according to access permissions. Questions about a record may be raised through correction, complaint or reconsideration channels available to an entitled applicant. Submission alone does not alter an existing decision or licence. The outcome is determined by the formal notice and current record.
11. Effective date, application and version control
Version 2.0 of this document is published and takes effect on 19 October 2026. It applies to relevant matters formally submitted after that date. Existing applications retain their original snapshot and rules. Material changes are notified separately and handled under transitional arrangements; new conditions are not retrospectively inserted into historical decisions. Website and downloadable texts must agree. Superseded versions identify their replacement, and name or wording corrections are recorded separately from substantive amendments.