12. Follow-up on reserved designations

12.1 Annual report

Organizations shall send a report before March 31 on their activities during the past calendar year to the "Reference Manual Review" division. The CARTV shall require the report to include the following information:

list of operators concerned
quantities labelled
list of sensory analysis tests conducted, etc.

12.2 Labelling

The approval of new labelling models, corresponding to a previously recognized reference manual, is the CARTV’s responsibility.

Before their use, the certification body shall approve new labels proposed by businesses if it certifies their products bearing recognized designations. These new labels shall not be validated by the CARTV.

In all cases, the SC shall be kept informed of follow-up regarding recognized designations.

12.3 Follow-up of products that have been granted recognized designations

When it appears that a certified product can no longer be distinguished from an ordinary product or if there is inconsistency among similar certified products or with the established reference manual, the CARTV shall request that the reference manual be changed within a certain time frame, failing which the SC concerned may reconsider its positive recommendation.

12.4 Review of amendments (or updates of existing specification manuals)

The review varies according to the type of amendment:

For amendments that are purely editorial in nature, a review shall be conducted by the SC Secretariat concerned;
For changes that do not substantially affect the product’s features or for simply involve broadening its scope, the SC shall conduct a review without public consultation. Upon the Committee Chair’s request, one or several experts may be appointed. In addition to reviewing the changes, the CARTV shall ensure that these changes do not substantially alter the initial file. In such a case, the file shall be treated as a new file.
For substantial changes to the specification manual, the SC shall conduct a review with public consultation. Upon the Committee Chair’s request, one or several experts may be appointed.

12.5 Appeals of withdrawals or suspensions of previously used reference manuals

After they receive a recommendation from the SC concerned, applicants have one month to file a petition by sending a registered letter to the Committee’s Secretariat requesting a review of the decision. They may specifically request a hearing. If the SC maintains its position after this petition, it shall inform the applicant(s) and certification body or bodies concerned of its decision by registered mail with proof of delivery.

An appeal to the Board may then be filed within 15 consecutive days. It shall be sent by registered mail with proof of delivery to the Secretariat, along with the payment of appeal fees.

If the Board upholds the SC’s decision, the content of the decision shall be sent by registered mail with proof of delivery to the applicant(s) and certification body or bodies concerned. If not, the Board may request that the SC reconsider the file at the next meeting on the basis of guidelines which it shall provide to the SC.

A notice concerning the review shall be sent to the Board, which shall make the final decision and then forward, if applicable, its recommendation to the Minister.