Certification mark is still very much a marginal tool in the Czech Republic. And yet, it can be extremely useful for professional chambers, societies, associations and other entities that wish to guarantee a certain standard of quality, origin or production method on the market. And if it highlights environmental or social attributes, it may even become the subject of a debate on greenwashing. Warning – registration alone is not the same as a certification scheme!
What is a certification mark and what is it used for?
A certification mark is a mark which is designated as such at the time of filing the application and is capable of distinguishing the goods or services certified by the proprietor of that mark – for example, in terms of material, method of manufacture, quality, precision or other characteristics – from goods or services that are not certified. A key feature is that the owner of a certification mark does not themselves manufacture or supply the certified goods or services; rather, they certify the goods or services of others.
Unlike a standard trademark, it does not primarily indicate who is offering the product or service. Its purpose is to indicate that the product or service in question meets a pre-defined standard.
The Czech Trademarks Act expressly provides for certification marks in Section 40a et seq. The EU certification mark works in a similar way.
It is not enough simply to submit an application
A certification mark is not just a more expensive version of a standard mark. It is based primarily on the rules.
In practice, it is necessary to:
- clearly describe what is being certified,
- set out the terms of use,
- define objective criteria,
- specify who may use the mark,
- ensure the monitoring and long-term operation of the system.
The terms of use are of crucial importance. Without them, the certification mark is meaningless.
How much does it cost?
In the Czech Republic, a certification mark is more expensive than an individual trademark right from the moment the application is filed – the basic fee payable to the Industrial Property Office is CZK 10,000 for up to three classes, which is double that for an individual trademark.
At EUIPO, the fee for an application for an EU certification mark is EUR 1,800, or EUR 1,500 if filed online.
However, alongside administrative fees, the cost of drawing up the rules, establishing control mechanisms and managing the entire system is even more important.
What is the situation like in the Czech Republic?
According to the Czech Trademark Register, as at 10 July 2026, there were 11 certification marks recorded in the Czech Republic, of which 7 were validly registered and 4 were pending. It is not much. This, too, shows that it is, as yet, a relatively under-utilised mechanism.
The registered trademarks include both well-known and lesser-known certification bodies; as an example, we’ll take TÜV SÜD, which (quite logically) has a registered certification trademark.
Why consider it?
A well-designed certification mark can be a powerful tool. It helps to build trust, set a standard, and send a clear signal to the market that a particular product or service meets specific criteria.
It makes sense particularly in situations where:
- the standard is to be used by multiple entities,
- it is necessary to clearly communicate the quality or origin,
- the mark is intended to serve as a guarantee, not merely as a trade designation.
What about greenwashing?
Caution is required here. In some cases, a certification mark may also serve as a designation indicating environmental or social characteristics. However, that does not necessarily mean they will automatically comply with the new EU rules.
According to the European Commission’s interpretation, certification marks may, under certain circumstances, function as sustainability labels. However, this is only the case if they are introduced by a public authority or are based on a genuine certification scheme.
And that is precisely the difference: a certification mark is not automatically the same as a certification scheme. It is not enough simply to have a certification mark registered. It is equally important that it is underpinned by a transparent, trustworthy and independently verified scheme.
What does that imply?
A certification mark is an interesting tool, but one that is more complex than a standard trademark. It is not yet widely used in the Czech Republic, but it can be very useful for anyone wishing to establish a trusted standard in the market. And if a mark is to make a statement as to sustainability, this applies all the more: it can be green, but not automatically. Simply registering does not, in itself, create a green shield.
