ATU-CPAC Partner Compliance Standards

Standards for Approved Partners, Delivery Partners, Assessment Partners, International Partners, Subcontractors, Scope Control, Quality Assurance, Reporting, and Compliance Monitoring

Summary

The ATU-CPAC Partner Compliance Standards provide a comprehensive framework for ensuring that approved partners, delivery partners, assessment partners, international partners, branches, subcontractors, and representatives operate ethically, lawfully, transparently, and within their approved authority.

These standards protect learners, candidates, providers, certified professionals, employers, stakeholders, ATU-issued credentials, registries, verification systems, and the public from misleading claims, unauthorized activities, assessment malpractice, certificate misuse, data breaches, and poor-quality implementation.

Through clear partner authorization, scope control, contractual obligations, quality assurance, assessment security, marketing review, certificate request controls, registry accuracy, data protection, monitoring, corrective action, and renewal review, ATU-CPAC strengthens trust in professional accreditation, professional certification, assessed training programs, and credentials issued under the authority of the Arab Trainers Union.

1. Purpose of the Standards

The ATU-CPAC Partner Compliance Standards define the requirements for approving, managing, monitoring, reviewing, and controlling partners involved in ATU-CPAC-governed activities.

These standards apply to organizations, institutions, academies, training centers, assessment centers, universities, professional bodies, international partners, delivery partners, subcontractors, representatives, branches, and any external party authorized to support, promote, deliver, assess, administer, or cooperate in activities related to ATU professional accreditation, professional certification, assessed training programs, assessment activities, registries, verification, or related services.

These standards are intended to ensure that partners operate within their approved scope, follow ATU-CPAC standards, protect learners and candidates, maintain assessment and certificate integrity, avoid misleading claims, use ATU and ATU-CPAC marks correctly, and cooperate with quality assurance and monitoring.

ATU-CPAC regulates and governs partner compliance requirements, while all certificates, professional certifications, assessed certificates, accreditation certificates, and related credentials remain issued in the name and under the authority of the Arab Trainers Union.

Standard 1: Partner Governance and Authorization

1.1 Partner Authorization Requirement

No organization or individual may act as an ATU-CPAC partner, delivery partner, assessment partner, representative, or authorized collaborator unless formally approved by ATU-CPAC or the Arab Trainers Union according to approved procedures.

1.2 Partner Categories

Partner categories may include:

Authorized Delivery Partner
Approved Training Partner
Accredited Provider
Premier Accredited Provider
Authorized Assessment Center
International Cooperation Partner
Academic Partner
Professional Body Partner
Technology or Registry Partner
Quality Assurance Partner
Subcontracted Delivery Partner where approved
Regional Representative where approved

1.3 Written Authorization

Each partner must have a written authorization, agreement, approval letter, memorandum, or official decision defining the approved role, scope, responsibilities, limitations, duration, and reporting obligations.

1.4 Approved Scope

Partners may only perform activities within the approved scope granted to them.

The approved scope may cover one or more of the following:

Promotion of approved programs
Delivery of approved training programs
Delivery of assessed training programs
Administration of assessment activities
Support for professional certification pathways
Candidate registration support
Learner support
Assessment center activities
Local coordination
Quality assurance cooperation
Registry or verification support where approved
International cooperation or endorsement activities

1.5 No Implied Authority

A partner must not assume authority beyond the written approval, including certificate issuance, certification decision-making, accreditation decision-making, or independent use of ATU-CPAC marks unless expressly authorized.

Compliance Evidence

The partner and ATU-CPAC should maintain:

Partner approval record
Signed agreement or authorization letter
Approved scope document
Partner category record
Responsibility matrix
Authorized activities list
Limitations and exclusions statement
Partner contact and representative records
Agreement validity period
Version control records

Standard 2: Legal Status and Institutional Capacity

2.1 Legal Status Requirement

A partner organization must be legally established and authorized to operate in its country or jurisdiction.

2.2 Institutional Capacity

The partner must demonstrate sufficient institutional capacity to perform the approved activities.

Capacity may include:

Governance structure
Administrative systems
Qualified staff
Training facilities
Assessment facilities where applicable
Digital systems
Learner support capacity
Financial and operational stability
Records management systems
Quality assurance procedures

2.3 Regulatory Compliance

Partners must comply with applicable laws, regulations, licensing requirements, data protection requirements, and professional rules in their country or operating location.

2.4 Regulated Sectors

Where the partner operates in a regulated sector, the partner must not present ATU credentials as replacing governmental licensing, statutory approval, or professional registration unless formally recognized by the relevant competent authority.

Compliance Evidence

The partner should maintain:

Legal registration documents
Institutional profile
Organizational chart
Operating licenses where applicable
Facility evidence
Staff records
Quality assurance documents
Regulatory compliance declarations
Data protection compliance evidence
Risk assessment records

Standard 3: Partner Agreement and Contractual Compliance

3.1 Agreement Requirement

Each partner must operate under a written agreement, authorization, or official approval that defines the relationship with ATU or ATU-CPAC.

3.2 Agreement Content

The partner agreement should include:

Partner name and legal status
Partner category
Approved scope
Authorized activities
Prohibited activities
Duration of approval
Renewal conditions
Reporting obligations
Quality assurance requirements
Data protection obligations
Branding and logo use rules
Marketing approval requirements
Certificate request rules
Financial terms where applicable
Confidentiality requirements
Audit and monitoring rights
Complaint and malpractice reporting obligations
Suspension and withdrawal conditions
Termination conditions

3.3 Compliance with Agreement

The partner must comply with all terms of the agreement and any additional ATU-CPAC policies, standards, procedures, and official instructions.

3.4 Agreement Changes

Any change to partner scope, responsibilities, location, branch, delivery mode, assessment role, or public representation must be approved before implementation.

Compliance Evidence

The partner and ATU-CPAC should maintain:

Signed partner agreement
Partner approval letter
Scope schedule
Agreement amendments
Renewal records
Official correspondence
Compliance declarations
Monitoring records
Breach notices where applicable
Termination records where applicable

Standard 4: Scope Control and Authorized Activities

4.1 Scope Control Requirement

Partners must operate strictly within the approved scope of authorization.

4.2 Scope Statement

Each partner must have a clear scope statement defining:

Approved programs
Approved countries or territories where applicable
Approved delivery modes
Approved learner groups
Approved assessment activities
Approved certificate categories
Approved use of marks
Approved branches or locations
Approved subcontractors where applicable
Exclusions and limitations

4.3 Prohibited Scope Expansion

Partners must not expand their role, add programs, open new branches, appoint sub-partners, conduct assessments, use new delivery platforms, or promote new credential categories without prior approval.

4.4 Scope Communication

Partner staff, trainers, assessors, marketers, agents, and representatives must understand the approved scope and limitations.

4.5 Monitoring Scope Compliance

ATU-CPAC may monitor partner activities to ensure that the partner does not operate beyond the approved scope.

Compliance Evidence

The partner should maintain:

Approved scope document
Staff orientation records
Program approval records
Branch approval records
Delivery mode approval records
Assessment activity approval records
Subcontractor approval records
Marketing approval records
Scope monitoring records
Scope change request records

Standard 5: Partner Roles and Responsibility Matrix

5.1 Responsibility Clarity

Partner responsibilities must be clearly defined and documented.

5.2 Role Areas

The responsibility matrix should define responsibilities for:

Learner recruitment
Candidate registration
Program delivery
Trainer assignment
Assessment administration
Assessment marking where approved
Internal quality assurance
External quality assurance cooperation
Certificate request preparation
Data submission
Learner support
Complaints handling
Appeals handling
Marketing and communication
Recordkeeping
Financial administration where applicable
Reporting to ATU-CPAC

5.3 No Unapproved Decision Authority

Partners must not make final certification, accreditation, certificate issuance, suspension, withdrawal, revocation, or registry decisions unless specifically authorized by ATU-CPAC procedures.

5.4 Staff Awareness

Partner personnel must understand their roles and limitations.

Compliance Evidence

The partner should maintain:

Responsibility matrix
Staff role descriptions
Program coordination records
Assessment responsibility records
IQA responsibility records
Certificate request responsibility records
Staff briefing records
Reporting responsibility records
Management approval records

Standard 6: Program and Service Delivery Compliance

6.1 Approved Program Delivery

Partners may deliver only approved programs, services, or activities within the authorized scope.

6.2 Program Specification Compliance

Where partners deliver programs, they must follow the approved program specification, learning outcomes, duration, curriculum, assessment requirements, delivery mode, and learner support arrangements.

6.3 Delivery Consistency

Delivery must be consistent across trainers, branches, locations, learner groups, and online platforms.

6.4 Learner Information

Partners must provide accurate learner and candidate information before registration.

This should include:

Program title
Certificate or certification type
Duration
Delivery mode
Entry requirements
Assessment requirements
Fees where applicable
Certificate eligibility conditions
Complaints and appeals procedures
ATU certificate issuance authority
Verification and registry arrangements

6.5 Delivery Monitoring

Partners must monitor delivery quality and cooperate with ATU-CPAC quality assurance activities.

Compliance Evidence

The partner should maintain:

Approved program specification
Delivery plan
Session plans
Training materials
Learner handbooks
Attendance records
LMS records where applicable
Learner feedback records
Delivery monitoring reports
Trainer observation records

Standard 7: Assessment Activity Compliance

7.1 Assessment Authorization

Partners may conduct or support assessment activities only where this is included in their approved scope.

7.2 Assessment Standards

Where authorized, partners must follow ATU-CPAC assessment standards, assessment instructions, security requirements, candidate identity checks, assessor requirements, and result submission procedures.

7.3 Assessment Security

Partners must protect assessment materials, examination papers, question banks, answer keys, candidate submissions, assessment results, and assessment records from unauthorized access or misuse.

7.4 Assessment Integrity

Partners must prevent cheating, plagiarism, impersonation, collusion, unauthorized assistance, falsified evidence, result manipulation, and assessment malpractice.

7.5 No Independent Result Approval

Partners must not make final certification decisions or certificate issuance decisions unless expressly authorized. Assessment results must be subject to required IQA and ATU-CPAC procedures.

Compliance Evidence

The partner should maintain:

Assessment authorization record
Assessment administration records
Candidate identity verification records
Invigilation records
Candidate submissions
Assessment decision records
Assessor records
Assessment security logs
Malpractice reports
IQA and EQA records

Standard 8: Trainer, Assessor, and Staff Compliance

8.1 Qualified Personnel Requirement

Partners must use qualified, competent, and approved personnel for all ATU-CPAC-governed activities.

8.2 Trainer Requirements

Trainers must have appropriate subject knowledge, professional experience, instructional skills, and understanding of the approved program.

8.3 Assessor Requirements

Assessors must have appropriate subject competence, assessment competence, and understanding of approved assessment criteria.

8.4 IQA Personnel Requirements

Internal quality assurers must have appropriate competence in assessment review, sampling, standardization, evidence review, and quality assurance procedures.

8.5 Staff Approval

Trainers, assessors, invigilators, IQA personnel, coordinators, and other staff may require approval by the partner, ATU-CPAC, or both according to the approved scope.

8.6 Continuing Professional Development

Partners must ensure that personnel remain competent through training, briefing, CPD, standardization, and updates on ATU-CPAC requirements.

Compliance Evidence

The partner should maintain:

Staff list
Trainer CVs
Assessor CVs
IQA CVs
Qualification records
Professional experience records
Staff approval records
CPD records
Standardization records
Conflict of interest declarations
Staff performance review records

Standard 9: Internal Quality Assurance by Partners

9.1 IQA Requirement

Partners delivering or assessing ATU-CPAC-governed programs must operate an internal quality assurance system appropriate to their approved scope.

9.2 IQA Coverage

Partner IQA should cover:

Program delivery
Trainer performance
Assessment tools where applicable
Learner evidence
Assessor decisions
Feedback quality
Attendance and participation records
Certificate eligibility evidence
Learner support
Complaints and appeals
Marketing compliance
Records management

9.3 IQA Sampling

Partners must conduct IQA sampling according to risk, program type, assessment method, assessor experience, learner numbers, and ATU-CPAC requirements.

9.4 Corrective Action

Where IQA identifies weaknesses, corrective action must be implemented before results or certificate requests are submitted.

9.5 IQA Reporting

Partners must maintain IQA reports and make them available to ATU-CPAC during monitoring, audit, EQA, or renewal review.

Compliance Evidence

The partner should maintain:

IQA policy
IQA plan
IQA sampling records
Assessment tool review records
Learner evidence samples
Assessor monitoring records
Delivery monitoring records
Corrective action records
Result approval records
IQA reports

Standard 10: External Quality Assurance Cooperation

10.1 EQA Cooperation Requirement

Partners must cooperate fully with ATU-CPAC external quality assurance, monitoring, audits, document reviews, remote reviews, site visits, investigations, and renewal reviews.

10.2 Access to Evidence

Partners must provide access to:

Program files
Learner records
Candidate records
Assessment records
IQA records
Staff records
Marketing materials
Complaints and appeals records
Malpractice records
Certificate request records
Digital platform records
Partner agreements and subcontractor records

10.3 Site Visit and Remote Review

Partners must support site visits or remote reviews and allow ATU-CPAC or authorized reviewers to interview staff, trainers, assessors, learners, candidates, and managers where required.

10.4 EQA Findings

Partners must respond to EQA findings and implement corrective actions within the required timeline.

Compliance Evidence

The partner should maintain:

EQA reports
Document submission records
Site visit records
Remote review records
Interview records
EQA correspondence
Corrective action plans
Follow-up evidence
EQA closure records
Management review records

Standard 11: Certificate Request and Issuance Compliance

11.1 Certificate Issuance Authority

Partners must not issue ATU professional certifications, ATU assessed certificates, certificates of achievement, accreditation certificates, or related credentials independently unless expressly authorized through an approved procedure.

All ATU credentials remain issued in the name and under the authority of the Arab Trainers Union.

11.2 Certificate Request Procedure

Partners must submit certificate requests according to ATU-CPAC procedures.

Certificate requests must be supported by:

Candidate registration records
Identity verification where required
Attendance or participation evidence where applicable
Assessment results
Learner or candidate evidence
Assessor decisions
IQA sign-off
EQA approval where required
Correct certificate title
Correct candidate data
Approved program or certification reference

11.3 Certificate Eligibility

Partners must not submit certificate requests for learners or candidates who do not meet the approved requirements.

11.4 Certificate Data Accuracy

Partners are responsible for ensuring that all submitted names, titles, dates, numbers, statuses, and program details are accurate.

11.5 Certificate Misuse Prevention

Partners must prevent misuse of certificates, certificate templates, certificate numbers, QR codes, verification links, seals, signatures, and digital badges.

Compliance Evidence

The partner should maintain:

Certificate request forms
Candidate eligibility checklists
Assessment result records
IQA sign-off records
EQA approval records where applicable
Candidate data verification records
Certificate issuance correspondence
Certificate delivery records
Correction request records
Misuse reports

Standard 12: Registry and Verification Compliance

12.1 Registry Data Submission

Where partners submit data for registry or verification purposes, they must ensure that all information is accurate, complete, authorized, and supported by evidence.

12.2 Verification Wording

Partners must direct learners, candidates, employers, and stakeholders to official ATU or ATU-CPAC verification channels.

12.3 No Unofficial Registry

Partners must not create or promote unofficial registries that appear to replace the official ATU-CPAC registry unless expressly authorized.

12.4 Data Correction

Partners must promptly report errors in certificate records, registry data, or verification information.

12.5 Status Accuracy

Partners must not present expired, suspended, withdrawn, revoked, or invalid credentials as active.

Compliance Evidence

The partner should maintain:

Registry submission records
Verification instructions
Candidate consent records where required
Certificate data records
Data correction records
Verification correspondence
Registry status review records
Misuse reporting records
Public verification links

Standard 13: Marketing, Public Information, and Recruitment Compliance

13.1 Accurate Public Information

Partners must ensure that all public information, marketing materials, websites, social media posts, brochures, advertisements, registration forms, and recruitment messages are accurate, current, complete, and not misleading.

13.2 Required Marketing Accuracy

Marketing must accurately state:

Partner status
Approved scope
Program approval status
Certificate or certification type
Issuing authority
Assessment requirements
Certificate eligibility conditions
Delivery mode
Duration
Fees where applicable
Registry or verification information
Recognition limitations
Renewal requirements where applicable

13.3 Prohibited Claims

Partners must not claim:

Guaranteed certification without assessment
ATU approval outside the approved scope
Certificate issuance authority without approval
Government licensing unless formally granted
International equivalence without formal agreement
Recognition not approved by ATU-CPAC
Lifetime validity unless approved
Employment guarantee
Professional authority beyond certification scope
Exemption from statutory licensing requirements

13.4 Marketing Approval

ATU-CPAC may require prior approval of partner marketing materials, public wording, logos, website content, or social media announcements.

13.5 Recruitment Ethics

Recruitment must avoid pressure, false promises, hidden fees, misleading urgency, or incomplete information.

Compliance Evidence

The partner should maintain:

Marketing policy
Approved public wording
Website screenshots
Brochures
Social media posts
Advertisement records
Fee disclosure records
Marketing approval records
Correction records
Public information review records

Standard 14: Use of ATU, ATU-CPAC, and Partner Marks

14.1 Brand Use Requirement

Partners may use ATU, ATU-CPAC, certificate, accreditation, verification, registry, digital badge, or partner marks only in accordance with approved authorization and brand rules.

14.2 Approved Use of Marks

Approved use may include:

Partner status promotion
Approved program promotion
Approved certificate verification guidance
Authorized assessment center status
Accredited provider status
Joint program announcement where approved
Official certificate or badge reference where approved

14.3 Prohibited Use of Marks

Partners must not:

Alter ATU or ATU-CPAC logos
Use marks on unapproved programs
Use expired approval marks
Suggest authority beyond approved scope
Use marks in misleading advertising
Place marks on unofficial certificates
Use marks after suspension or withdrawal
Use partner logos in a way that misrepresents endorsement

14.4 Removal of Marks

ATU-CPAC may require immediate removal or correction of marks where misuse is identified.

14.5 Brand Integrity

Partners must protect the reputation and credibility of ATU, ATU-CPAC, and related credentials.

Compliance Evidence

The partner should maintain:

Brand authorization record
Logo use approval records
Brand guideline acknowledgment
Marketing samples
Website screenshots
Social media samples
Correction evidence
Mark misuse reports
Removal confirmation records

Standard 15: Data Protection, Confidentiality, and Information Security

15.1 Data Protection Requirement

Partners must protect personal data, candidate records, assessment records, certificate data, registry data, and confidential ATU-CPAC information according to applicable laws and ATU-CPAC policies.

15.2 Confidential Information

Confidential information may include:

Candidate personal data
Learner records
Assessment materials
Candidate submissions
Results
Certificate records
Registry data
Provider audit reports
ATU-CPAC procedures
Partner agreements
Commercial information
Complaints and appeals
Malpractice investigations

15.3 Access Control

Only authorized persons may access confidential records and systems.

15.4 Data Sharing

Partners must not share learner, candidate, provider, assessment, or certificate data with unauthorized parties.

15.5 Data Breach Response

Any suspected or confirmed data breach must be reported, investigated, documented, and corrected according to approved procedures.

Compliance Evidence

The partner should maintain:

Data protection policy
Confidentiality policy
Staff confidentiality declarations
Data consent records
Access control records
Secure storage records
Data sharing records
Data breach reports
Corrective action records
Staff training records

Standard 16: Financial and Fee Transparency

16.1 Fee Transparency Requirement

Partners must provide clear, accurate, and transparent information about fees, payment conditions, refund rules, retake fees, certificate fees, and any additional charges.

16.2 No Hidden Fees

Partners must not charge hidden, misleading, unauthorized, or unapproved fees related to ATU-CPAC-governed programs, assessments, certificates, verification, or certification pathways.

16.3 Financial Integrity

Partners must manage financial matters honestly and according to the partner agreement and applicable laws.

16.4 Candidate Communication

Learners and candidates must be informed of all relevant fees before registration.

16.5 Fee Misrepresentation

Partners must not suggest that payment alone guarantees certification, certificate issuance, assessment success, accreditation, or registry listing.

Compliance Evidence

The partner should maintain:

Fee schedule
Public fee information
Payment terms
Refund policy
Candidate fee acknowledgment records
Financial reporting records where applicable
Partner agreement financial terms
Fee complaint records
Correction records

Standard 17: Subcontractor, Branch, and Agent Control

17.1 Prior Approval Requirement

Partners must not appoint subcontractors, branches, agents, representatives, trainers, assessment locations, or sub-partners for ATU-CPAC-governed activities without prior approval where required.

17.2 Partner Responsibility

The approved partner remains responsible for the conduct and compliance of any approved branch, subcontractor, agent, or representative.

17.3 Due Diligence

Before using a subcontractor, branch, agent, or representative, the partner must conduct due diligence and confirm capacity, legal status, competence, ethical conduct, and compliance ability.

17.4 Subcontractor Controls

Subcontractors must follow the same applicable ATU-CPAC standards, confidentiality requirements, marketing rules, assessment security requirements, and quality assurance obligations.

17.5 Unauthorized Subcontracting

Unauthorized subcontracting may result in corrective action, suspension, scope limitation, or withdrawal of partner approval.

Compliance Evidence

The partner should maintain:

Branch approval records
Subcontractor approval records
Agent records
Due diligence records
Subcontractor agreements
Staff approval records
Monitoring reports
Corrective action records
Unauthorized activity reports where applicable

Standard 18: Complaints, Appeals, and Stakeholder Protection

18.1 Complaints Procedure

Partners must maintain a clear complaints procedure for learners, candidates, staff, employers, and stakeholders.

18.2 Appeals Procedure

Where partners are involved in assessment or candidate decisions, they must provide access to approved appeals procedures.

18.3 Escalation to ATU-CPAC

Complaints or appeals that affect ATU-CPAC-governed activities, certificate eligibility, assessment decisions, partner conduct, or credential integrity may be escalated to ATU-CPAC.

18.4 Candidate Protection

Partners must protect candidates and learners from misleading claims, unfair treatment, retaliation, discrimination, poor assessment practice, and unauthorized certificate promises.

18.5 Complaint and Appeal Records

All complaints and appeals must be recorded, reviewed, resolved, and used for improvement.

Compliance Evidence

The partner should maintain:

Complaints policy
Appeals policy
Complaint forms
Appeal forms
Investigation records
Decision letters
Escalation records
Corrective action records
Trend analysis
Final outcome records

Standard 19: Ethics, Integrity, and Conflict of Interest

19.1 Ethical Conduct Requirement

Partners must conduct all ATU-CPAC-related activities honestly, professionally, fairly, and in accordance with ATU-CPAC ethics and professional conduct requirements.

19.2 Conflict of Interest

Partners must identify, declare, manage, and record conflicts of interest involving staff, trainers, assessors, candidates, providers, subcontractors, committee members, and decision-makers.

19.3 Prohibited Conduct

Partners must not engage in:

False claims
Bribery or improper advantage
Misleading recruitment
Certificate misuse
Result manipulation
Unauthorized assessment assistance
Conflict concealment
Discrimination
Harassment
Retaliation against complainants
Data misuse
Unauthorized use of ATU marks

19.4 Gifts and Benefits

Partners must not offer, request, or accept gifts, benefits, payments, or favors that may influence assessment, certification, accreditation, or quality assurance decisions.

19.5 Ethical Reporting

Partners must report serious ethical concerns, malpractice, misrepresentation, or misuse of ATU credentials to ATU-CPAC.

Compliance Evidence

The partner should maintain:

Code of conduct
Ethics policy
Conflict of interest register
Gifts and benefits register
Staff conduct declarations
Candidate conduct declarations
Misconduct reports
Investigation records
Corrective action records
Ethics training records

Standard 20: Reporting and Communication with ATU-CPAC

20.1 Reporting Requirement

Partners must submit required reports to ATU-CPAC according to the approved schedule, scope, and procedures.

20.2 Required Reports

Partner reports may include:

Learner registration reports
Candidate assessment reports
Completion reports
Certificate request reports
IQA reports
Delivery reports
Trainer and assessor updates
Complaints and appeals reports
Malpractice reports
Marketing activity reports
Branch or subcontractor reports
Financial reports where applicable
Annual partner compliance reports

20.3 Significant Change Notification

Partners must notify ATU-CPAC of significant changes, including:

Legal status change
Ownership change
Management change
Location change
Branch change
Key staff change
Trainer or assessor change
Program change
Assessment change
Delivery mode change
Digital platform change
Subcontractor or agent change
Data breach
Serious complaint or malpractice case

20.4 Timeliness and Accuracy

Reports must be submitted on time and must be accurate, complete, and supported by evidence.

Compliance Evidence

The partner should maintain:

Reporting schedule
Submitted reports
ATU-CPAC correspondence
Change notification records
Annual compliance report
Incident reports
Management review records
Corrective action reports
Evidence submission records

Standard 21: Partner Monitoring and Performance Review

21.1 Monitoring Requirement

ATU-CPAC may monitor partner performance throughout the approval period.

21.2 Monitoring Areas

Partner monitoring may include:

Compliance with approved scope
Program delivery quality
Assessment integrity
IQA effectiveness
Learner support
Complaint handling
Certificate request accuracy
Marketing compliance
Data protection compliance
Use of ATU marks
Staff competence
Branch or subcontractor control
Reporting performance

21.3 Performance Indicators

Partner performance may be reviewed using indicators such as:

Learner satisfaction
Completion rates
Assessment outcomes
Error rates in certificate requests
Complaints and appeals trends
Malpractice reports
EQA findings
Timeliness of reporting
Corrective action closure
Public information accuracy

21.4 Monitoring Methods

Monitoring may include:

Document review
Remote review
Site visit
Learner feedback review
Assessment sampling
Marketing review
Registry review
Partner interviews
Audit
Complaint-triggered review

Compliance Evidence

The partner and ATU-CPAC should maintain:

Partner monitoring reports
Performance review records
EQA reports
Learner feedback analysis
Certificate request error reports
Complaints trend analysis
Marketing review records
Corrective action records
Renewal review records

Standard 22: Renewal of Partner Approval

22.1 Renewal Requirement

Partner approval must be reviewed before renewal according to ATU-CPAC procedures.

22.2 Renewal Evidence

Renewal may require evidence of:

Continued legal status
Compliance with approved scope
Program delivery records
Assessment records where applicable
IQA records
EQA reports
Staff competence records
Learner feedback
Complaints and appeals records
Marketing compliance
Certificate request accuracy
Data protection compliance
Corrective action completion
Updated agreement or authorization

22.3 Renewal Decision

ATU-CPAC may recommend renewal, renewal with conditions, deferral pending corrective action, limitation of scope, suspension, non-renewal, or withdrawal.

22.4 Renewal Timeline

Partners must submit renewal evidence within the required timeline to avoid expiry or interruption of approval status.

Compliance Evidence

The partner should maintain:

Renewal application
Updated legal documents
Partner performance report
IQA reports
EQA reports
Staff records
Program records
Corrective action closure evidence
Updated scope request where applicable
Renewal decision letter

Standard 23: Suspension, Withdrawal, Termination, and Exit Controls

23.1 Grounds for Suspension

Partner approval may be suspended where there is evidence or serious concern related to:

Operating outside approved scope
Misleading marketing
Assessment malpractice
Certificate misuse
Unauthorized certificate issuance
Failure to cooperate with EQA
Data protection breach
Serious complaints
Failure to complete corrective action
Non-payment or financial breach where applicable
Unapproved subcontracting
Damage to ATU credential credibility

23.2 Grounds for Withdrawal or Termination

Partner approval may be withdrawn or terminated where there is major or repeated non-compliance, serious misconduct, false information, fraud, misuse of ATU marks, unauthorized credential activity, or failure to meet partner obligations.

23.3 Suspension Controls

During suspension, the partner may be required to stop:

Recruiting new learners
Advertising ATU-approved programs
Delivering approved programs
Conducting assessments
Submitting certificate requests
Using ATU or ATU-CPAC marks
Claiming active partner status

23.4 Candidate Protection and Teach-Out

Where partner approval is suspended, withdrawn, or terminated, ATU-CPAC may require a learner or candidate protection plan, including teach-out, transfer, reassessment, refund guidance, or certificate request review where applicable.

23.5 Exit Obligations

On termination or withdrawal, the partner must return or remove confidential materials, stop using marks, submit outstanding records, protect learner data, and cooperate with transition arrangements.

Compliance Evidence

The partner and ATU-CPAC should maintain:

Suspension notice
Withdrawal or termination notice
Investigation records
Candidate protection plan
Teach-out plan
Transfer records
Outstanding certificate request review
Mark removal evidence
Data return or deletion records
Final closure report

Standard 24: Records Management and Evidence Retention

24.1 Records Requirement

Partners must maintain accurate, secure, complete, and retrievable records for all ATU-CPAC-governed activities.

24.2 Required Partner Records

Required records may include:

Partner authorization documents
Approved scope
Program delivery records
Learner registration records
Attendance records
Assessment records
IQA records
Certificate request records
Staff records
Marketing approvals
Complaints and appeals
Malpractice records
Data protection records
Financial records where applicable
Subcontractor records
EQA and monitoring reports
Corrective action records

24.3 Retention Period

Records must be retained for the period required by ATU-CPAC policy, applicable law, partner agreement, or program requirements.

24.4 Secure Storage

Records must be protected from unauthorized access, alteration, loss, misuse, or destruction.

24.5 Record Availability

Records must be made available to ATU-CPAC during monitoring, audit, EQA, investigation, or renewal review.

Compliance Evidence

The partner should maintain:

Records management policy
Retention schedule
Secure storage records
Access control records
Records index
Data protection records
Archive records
Disposal records where applicable
Audit records

Partner Compliance Methodology Framework

ATU-CPAC partner compliance controls may use a combination of the following methodologies according to partner category, approved scope, risk level, program type, assessment activity, and compliance history.

1. Partner Due Diligence

ATU-CPAC reviews the partner’s legal status, institutional capacity, governance, staff, resources, quality assurance system, reputation, and ability to comply with standards.

2. Scope-Based Authorization

Each partner is approved for defined activities, programs, locations, delivery modes, assessment roles, and limitations.

3. Agreement-Based Control

The partner relationship is governed through written agreement, authorization letter, approved scope, reporting duties, quality assurance requirements, and suspension or termination clauses.

4. Program Delivery Monitoring

ATU-CPAC reviews whether the partner delivers approved programs according to approved specifications, materials, learning outcomes, and learner support requirements.

5. Assessment and Certificate Control

Assessment activity, certificate requests, candidate eligibility, IQA sign-off, and certificate data submission are monitored to protect credential integrity.

6. Marketing and Brand Review

Partner marketing, public claims, social media, website wording, and logo use are reviewed to prevent misrepresentation.

7. IQA and EQA Monitoring

Partner internal quality assurance is reviewed, and external quality assurance is applied through document review, sampling, audits, site visits, and remote reviews.

8. Data and Registry Review

Certificate data, registry submissions, verification references, and privacy controls are reviewed for accuracy and compliance.

9. Corrective Action Follow-Up

Non-compliance findings require corrective action, evidence submission, and verification before closure.

10. Renewal and Risk Review

Partner approval is reviewed periodically based on compliance history, performance evidence, learner outcomes, risk level, and quality assurance findings.

Compliance Rating System

ATU-CPAC may classify partner compliance findings as follows:

Compliant

The partner meets the applicable standard and maintains sufficient evidence.

Minor Non-Compliance

The requirement is generally met, but documentation, communication, implementation, reporting, marketing control, or recordkeeping requires improvement.

Major Non-Compliance

A key partner compliance requirement is not met, creating risk to learner protection, assessment integrity, certificate eligibility, public trust, data protection, or ATU credential credibility.

Critical Non-Compliance

There is serious failure, fraud, unauthorized certificate activity, misleading public claims, assessment manipulation, data misuse, unapproved subcontracting, misuse of ATU marks, or conduct that threatens the credibility of ATU-issued credentials.

Partner Compliance Decisions and Outcomes

Based on partner compliance review, monitoring, EQA, audit, investigation, or renewal review, ATU-CPAC may issue or recommend one or more of the following decisions:

Partner approval granted
Partner approval granted with conditions
Partner approval deferred pending evidence
Partner scope limited
Additional evidence required
Corrective action required
Increased monitoring required
Marketing correction required
Certificate requests held
Assessment activity suspended
Program delivery suspended
Branch or subcontractor approval refused
Branch or subcontractor approval withdrawn
Partner approval renewed
Partner approval renewed with conditions
Partner renewal deferred
Partner approval suspended
Partner approval withdrawn
Partner agreement terminated
Registry or public status updated
Matter escalated to ATU-CPAC committee
Matter referred to competent authority where applicable

Obligations of ATU-CPAC

ATU-CPAC must:

Define partner categories and requirements
Approve partners according to documented criteria
Issue clear partner scope and authorization
Maintain partner agreements and records
Monitor partner compliance
Review partner marketing and public claims
Apply IQA and EQA expectations where relevant
Review certificate requests and registry submissions
Investigate partner non-compliance
Require corrective action where needed
Protect learners and candidates
Protect ATU marks and credential integrity
Apply suspension, withdrawal, or termination procedures where required
Use partner performance data for continuous improvement

Obligations of Approved Partners

Approved partners must:

Operate only within approved scope
Follow ATU-CPAC standards and procedures
Maintain legal and institutional compliance
Provide accurate public information
Use qualified trainers, assessors, and staff
Protect learners and candidates
Maintain assessment integrity
Submit accurate certificate and registry data
Maintain effective internal quality assurance
Cooperate with external quality assurance
Report significant changes
Manage conflicts of interest
Protect confidential information
Use ATU and ATU-CPAC marks correctly
Avoid misleading claims
Maintain records securely
Implement corrective actions
Apply for renewal before expiry
Stop activities if suspended, withdrawn, or expired

Obligations of Partner Staff, Trainers, and Assessors

Partner staff, trainers, and assessors must:

Understand ATU-CPAC requirements
Work within approved roles
Maintain professional competence
Communicate accurately with learners and candidates
Avoid unauthorized certificate promises
Follow approved program and assessment requirements
Protect confidential information
Declare conflicts of interest
Maintain professional conduct
Report malpractice or serious concerns
Cooperate with IQA, EQA, and audits
Maintain accurate records

Obligations of Subcontractors, Branches, and Representatives

Approved subcontractors, branches, and representatives must:

Operate only under approved authorization
Follow the same applicable ATU-CPAC standards
Avoid independent or misleading claims
Use approved marketing wording
Protect candidate and learner data
Maintain records for review
Cooperate with monitoring and audits
Report serious concerns to the approved partner
Avoid issuing or promising certificates independently
Stop activities immediately if approval is withdrawn or suspended

Minimum Partner Compliance File Requirements

Each partner compliance file should include:

Partner application
Legal registration documents
Due diligence report
Partner approval record
Signed partner agreement
Approved scope document
Responsibility matrix
Approved program list
Approved delivery locations or branches
Approved subcontractor records where applicable
Staff, trainer, assessor, and IQA records
Marketing approval records
Public information samples
Learner registration records
Assessment records where applicable
IQA records
EQA reports
Certificate request records
Registry submission records
Complaints and appeals records
Malpractice records
Conflict of interest register
Data protection records
Reporting records
Change notification records
Monitoring reports
Corrective action records
Renewal records
Suspension, withdrawal, or termination records where applicable
Version control records