1. The stamp (public record page header)
English:
CHECKED on [DD Month YYYY] Checked Canadian reviewed the cost breakdown and documents submitted by [Company Name] for the product line "[Product Line]" and found them consistent with the Competition Bureau's published thresholds for a "[Made in Canada / Product of Canada]" claim. Status: [Valid until DD Month YYYY / Expired / Revoked on DD Month YYYY].
French (fixed terms):
VÉRIFIÉ le [JJ mois AAAA] Checked Canadian a examiné la ventilation des coûts et les documents soumis par [Nom de l'entreprise] pour la gamme de produits « [Gamme] » et les a jugés conformes aux seuils publiés par le Bureau de la concurrence pour une mention « [Fabriqué au Canada / Produit du Canada] ». Statut : [Valide jusqu'au ... / Expiré / Révoqué le ...].
2. Record page: mandatory scope box (appears directly under the stamp)
What this record means. On the date shown, a Checked Canadian reviewer examined documents supplied by the manufacturer for this one product line and confirmed that the figures were internally consistent with the Competition Bureau thresholds (at least 51% of direct production costs in Canada plus last substantial transformation in Canada and a qualifying statement, for "Made in Canada"; at least 98% for "Product of Canada").
What it does not mean. Checked Canadian did not audit the manufacturer, inspect its facilities, verify its suppliers, or test its products. We did not verify that the documents were genuine. We are a private company, not a government body or an accredited certification body. This record is not a certification, an approval, a guarantee, or a legal opinion. The manufacturer alone is responsible for the origin claims it makes on its products and marketing. Costs and suppliers change; this record reflects only the period reviewed.
3. Badge
Badge text (inside the graphic): CHECKED CANADIAN / [YYYY-MM-DD] / [Made in Canada | Product of Canada]
Badge alt text (HTML alt attribute, English):
Checked Canadian record: documents for [Company Name]'s "[Product Line]" reviewed on [YYYY-MM-DD] and found consistent with Competition Bureau thresholds for a [Made in Canada / Product of Canada] claim. Not a certification. Click to view the record and its scope.
French alt text:
Fiche Checked Canadian : documents de [Entreprise] pour « [Gamme] » examinés le [AAAA-MM-JJ] et jugés conformes aux seuils du Bureau de la concurrence pour une mention [Fabriqué au Canada / Produit du Canada]. Ceci n'est pas une certification. Cliquez pour consulter la fiche et sa portée.
Badge title attribute: "Checked Canadian record, [date]. Not a certification."
Rules: the badge must always link to the record page; must always show the date; must never be shown without the product line name on hover or on the record page; must not be printed on packaging without the qualifying statement required for a "Made in Canada" claim.
4. "What a Check is / is not" statement (site page and checkout)
A Check is a paid, annual, document-based review. A manufacturer sends us a cost breakdown and supporting documents for one product line. A reviewer confirms the numbers add up and are consistent with the Competition Bureau's published thresholds for "Made in Canada" (51%) or "Product of Canada" (98%), and that the last substantial transformation is described as happening in Canada. If they are consistent, we publish a dated record and the manufacturer may display our badge for twelve months.
A Check is not an audit, an inspection, a certification, a government program, a legal opinion, or a guarantee. We rely on the documents we are given. We do not confirm they are genuine, do not visit facilities, and do not verify suppliers. Responsibility for any "Made in Canada" or "Product of Canada" claim stays with the manufacturer at all times. Buyers should do their own diligence.
Non-food products only.
5. Sponsored placement disclosure
Label on the listing card: Sponsored (French: Commandité). Must be visible without hover, in the same font size as the company name, placed at the top of the card.
Tooltip or footnote on any page that shows sponsored cards:
Listings marked "Sponsored" have paid for featured placement. Payment for placement has no effect on whether a manufacturer holds a Checked Canadian record, and a Sponsored label is not a Check.
Rule: a sponsored card that also holds a valid Check shows both labels; a sponsored card without a Check must not use red or any element of the Mark's design.
This follows the Competition Bureau's position that paid or influenced content must be clearly identified so that the overall impression is not misleading.
6. Words to avoid and why
| Avoid | Why | Use instead |
|---|---|---|
| Certified, certification, certificate | Implies a formal conformity-assessment scheme. In Canada, "certification" of products and services is associated with bodies accredited by the Standards Council of Canada. Using the word without that status risks a misleading-representation complaint under Competition Act s. 74.01 and undermines the disclaimers in the Terms. | Checked, reviewed, record |
| Government, official, federal, registered with | We have no government connection. A false or misleading suggestion of government approval is a classic deceptive-marketing pattern. Also avoid the 11-point maple leaf and the flag, which are protected under Trademarks Act s. 9. | Independent, private |
| Approved, authorized, endorsed | Suggests we have authority to permit the claim. We do not. | Consistent with, reviewed |
| Guaranteed, verified, proven, confirmed Canadian | Promises an outcome we cannot deliver; would defeat the limitation of liability and invite reliance claims from buyers. | Documents found consistent with |
| Compliant, complies with the Competition Act | Only a court or the Tribunal can decide that. | Consistent with published thresholds |
| Audit, audited | Audit has a defined professional meaning (CPA Canada). We do not perform one. | Review |
| Safe, trusted, genuine | Vague quality claims without a basis. | (omit) |
Also avoid: a check-mark inside a circle in green, a seal or ribbon device, and the words "seal of" or "stamp of approval", which all read as certification marks.
7. Reviewer scope statement (internal, to be published as a short FAQ)
The reviewer confirms that: the cost breakdown sums correctly; each cost line is tagged Canadian or non-Canadian and the Canadian share meets the threshold; a sample of invoices or ledger entries matches the breakdown; the manufacturer's description of the last substantial transformation names a Canadian location; and, for "Made in Canada", the proposed label carries a qualifying statement. The reviewer does not verify document authenticity, contact suppliers, decide whether an activity is legally a "substantial transformation", visit facilities, or advise on labelling.