## **DOCUMENT 5: FEE SCHEDULE** (REVISED)

### **CERTIFICATION FEE SCHEDULE**

### **Sustainable Integrity Certification Association**

**Effective: [DATE]**

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#### **I. FEE PHILOSOPHY**

This fee schedule is designed to:

(a) Ensure financial sustainability of the Association;

(b) Make certification accessible to businesses of all sizes;

(c) Scale fees to company capacity and product complexity;

(d) Cover actual costs of rigorous verification;

(e) Prevent any single entity from providing >5% of revenue (post-start-up phase).

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#### **II. APPLICATION FEES** (One-Time)

Covers initial assessment, documentation review, and administrative setup.

##### **By Company Size:**

| Company Size   | Employees | Annual Fee |
| -------------- | --------- | ---------- |
| **Micro**      | 1-10      | $750       |
| **Small**      | 11-50     | $3,500     |
| **Medium**     | 51-500    | $15,000    |
| **Large**      | 501-5,000 | $50,000    |
| **Enterprise** | 5,000+    | $100,000   |

**Notes:**

- One application fee covers up to 5 products submitted simultaneously;
- Additional products in same application: +$200 each;
- Application fee non-refundable (covers review costs even if denied).

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#### **III. ANNUAL CERTIFICATION FEES** (Per Product)

Covers ongoing compliance monitoring, random audits, database maintenance, and re-certification after 3 years.

##### **By Certification Level and Product Complexity:**

| Level        | Simple Product\* | Moderate Product\*\* | Complex Product\*\*\* |
| ------------ | ---------------- | -------------------- | --------------------- |
| **Platinum** | $2,500           | $5,000               | $10,000               |
| **Gold**     | $2,000           | $4,000               | $7,500                |
| **Silver**   | $1,500           | $3,000               | $5,000                |
| **Bronze**   | $1,000           | $2,000               | $3,500                |
| **Copper**   | $750             | $1,500               | $2,500                |

**Product Complexity Definitions:**

\*Simple Product: Single material or <5 components, passive (no moving parts), no electronics

- Examples: Cast iron pan, wood cutting board, wool blanket, hand tools

\*\*Moderate Product: 5-20 components, mechanical (moving parts), or single electronic component

- Examples: Mechanical watch, office chair, hand-crank appliance, bicycle

\*\*\*Complex Product: 20+ components, multiple electronic systems, or mixed materials with disposal challenges

- Examples: Laptop, refrigerator, electric vehicle components, HVAC systems

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#### **IV. VOLUME DISCOUNTS**

For manufacturers with multiple certified products:

| Number of Certified Products | Discount on Annual Fees |
| ---------------------------- | ----------------------- |
| 6-10 products                | 10%                     |
| 11-25 products               | 15%                     |
| 26-50 products               | 20%                     |
| 51-100 products              | 25%                     |
| 100+ products                | 30% (capped)            |

**Notes:**

- Discounts apply to annual certification fees only, not application fees;
- Calculated at renewal based on current portfolio;
- Encourages manufacturers to certify entire product lines.

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#### **V. LOGO LICENSING FEE** (Annual)

Grants right to use SICA certification mark in marketing materials.

| Company Size   | Annual Logo License Fee |
| -------------- | ----------------------- |
| **Micro**      | $500                    |
| **Small**      | $1,000                  |
| **Medium**     | $2,500                  |
| **Large**      | $5,000                  |
| **Enterprise** | $10,000                 |

**Includes:**

- Vector files of certification mark;
- Brand guidelines;
- Marketing toolkit;
- Co-marketing opportunities.

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#### **VI. PLUS DESIGNATION FEE** (Annual, Optional)

Applies to manufacturers whose certified products carry the Plus designation for delivery or assembly performed exclusively with Platinum-certified vehicles and tools. One fee per company covers every certified product offered with the service.

| Company Size   | Annual Plus Fee |
| -------------- | --------------- |
| **Micro**      | $750            |
| **Small**      | $1,500          |
| **Medium**     | $3,000          |
| **Large**      | $6,000          |
| **Enterprise** | $12,000         |

**Covers:**

- Initial review of the delivery or assembly service (included in the first year's fee);
- Annual review of service records and the vehicle and tool inventory;
- Confirmation that every vehicle and tool used holds current Platinum certification.

**Notes:**

- Field audits of delivery or assembly operations are billed under Section VII (Testing and Inspection Fees);
- Vehicles and tools are certified by their own manufacturers under Sections II and III;
- Volume discounts do not apply to this fee.

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#### **VII. TESTING AND INSPECTION FEES**

Actual costs passed through at cost +10% administrative fee:

##### **On-Site Inspections:**

- Domestic (same country as regional office): $2,000-5,000
- International: $5,000-15,000
- Travel and accommodation billed at actual cost

##### **Laboratory Testing:**

- Material safety testing: $500-5,000 per material
- Durability testing: $1,000-10,000 per product
- Efficiency testing: $500-3,000 per product
- Disassembly/repairability assessment: $1,000-3,000
- All testing through accredited independent labs

**Cost Range Factors:**

- Product complexity;
- Number of materials to test;
- Specialized equipment needed;
- Testing duration.

**Estimates:**

Applicants receive cost estimate before testing commences and may approve or withdraw application.

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#### **VIII. TRAINING AND EDUCATION FEES**

##### **Manufacturer Workshops:**

- Half-day certification overview: $500 per attendee
- Full-day standards deep-dive: $1,200 per attendee
- Two-day implementation training: $2,500 per attendee
- Custom on-site training (1-5 days): $5,000-15,000 plus expenses

##### **Public Education:**

- Consumer webinars: Free
- Educational materials: Free download
- School curriculum: Free license

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#### **IX. APPEAL FEES**

- Appeal of certification denial: $5,000
- Fee refunded if appeal successful
- Covers independent panel review and additional assessment

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#### **X. LATE FEES AND PENALTIES**

- **Late annual reporting**: $500 + $100 per week overdue
- **Missed re-certification deadline**: $1,000 + suspension of certification
- **Failed audit requiring re-inspection**: Actual re-inspection cost + 25%

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#### **XI. FEE WAIVERS AND REDUCTIONS**

##### **Developing Economy Discounts:**

Companies in low/lower-middle income countries (per World Bank):

- 50% reduction on all fees
- Aims to make certification globally accessible

##### **Social Enterprise Discount:**

Certified B-Corps or equivalent social enterprises:

- 25% reduction on annual fees
- Must demonstrate mission alignment

##### **Hardship Waivers:**

- Available on case-by-case basis
- Must demonstrate financial need and commitment to standards
- Limited to 5% of annual certifications

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#### **XII. PAYMENT TERMS**

- Application fee: Due with application submission
- Annual certification fee: Due within 30 days of certification/renewal
- Logo licensing fee: Due annually with certification fee
- Plus designation fee: Due annually with certification fee
- Testing/inspection fees: Due within 30 days of invoice
- Payment plans available for fees >$10,000 (up to 12 months, no interest)

**Accepted Payment Methods:**

- Bank transfer (preferred)
- Credit card (+3% processing fee)
- Check (where available)

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#### **XIII. FEE REVIEW AND ADJUSTMENT**

- Fees reviewed annually by Finance Committee
- Adjusted for inflation using CPI or equivalent
- Major revisions require Board approval
- 90 days notice for fee increases

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#### **XIV. REFUND POLICY**

- Application fees: Non-refundable
- Annual certification fees: Pro-rated refund if certification voluntarily surrendered
- Testing fees: Refundable if testing not yet commenced
- Logo licensing: Non-refundable
- Plus designation fees: Pro-rated refund if the service is withdrawn voluntarily

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#### **XV. REVENUE CONCENTRATION MONITORING**

- CFO tracks revenue by entity monthly
- **This section adheres to the "Start-up Glide Path" (Article V, Sec 5.1(c) of the Articles of Incorporation):**
  - **Years 1-3:** No concentration limit.
  - **Year 4:** If any entity approaches 18-19% of projected annual revenue, the Board will be notified to begin diversification planning.
  - **Year 5:** If any entity approaches 8-9% of projected annual revenue, the Board will be notified.
  - **Year 6+:** If any entity approaches 4% of annual revenue (based on prior year's revenue), the Executive Director and Board Chair will be notified, and new applications from that entity may be deferred.
- This ensures the Association achieves the permanent 5% limit by Year 6.

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**APPROVED by the Board of Directors on November 7, 2026.**

**Effective Date: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_, 20\_\_\_**

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