What is a certification mark?

A certification mark is a trademark used to demonstrate a particular product or service complies with a certain set of standards. It serves to suggest that a person's goods or services have particular traits or match to requirements or standards established by another person (who may or may not be the owner of the certification mark). Once a certification mark is registered, it can only be used by products or services that meet the relevant standards or criteria. Unauthorized use of a certification mark can result in legal action by the organization that owns the mark.