HEART Conformity Assessment Scheme
What the Scheme governs
The Scheme applies to every formal use of HEART conforming, HEART certified, HVC, a HEART conformity mark, or an equivalent official HEART status.
Self-assessment, implementation, training, membership, funding, use of a HEART method, or a Foundation relationship does not confer formal conformity.
Functional separation
Formal assessment separates:
- selection and verification planning;
- evaluation and findings;
- independent technical review;
- certification decision;
- attestation through an HVC;
- surveillance and material-change review; and
- current status, complaints, appeals, correction, and withdrawal.
A positive decision requires every applicable requirement to be satisfied, every materially implicated Axiom to hold, sufficient evidence, completed independent review, and no unresolved material conflict or nonconformity.
Scores, tiers, averages, majority votes, market value, or benefits cannot compensate for an unsatisfied requirement or violated Axiom.
Impartiality and economics
No fee, donation, grant, partnership, assessment volume, renewal, referral, market product, or employment opportunity may depend on a favorable outcome. Training, readiness, remediation, software, evidence hosting, or advisory services cannot be tied to favorable certification.
HeartCore and all related parties receive no preferential access, scope, method, timing, pricing, review, decision, HVC, mark, or Registry treatment.
Recognition boundary
HEART recognition is not accreditation. The Scheme does not claim ISO certification, ISO conformance, regulatory authorization, legal approval, safety, or scientific validation unless a separate competent authority establishes that claim.
Operational boundary
The Scheme specification is current. Public intake or certification services must not be inferred from the document alone. The public site will identify an authorized operational service only after required bodies, roles, independence, complaints/appeals, HVC issuance, Registry status, security, and continuity controls are demonstrably in place.