Certification
Institutional Recognition Through Independent Evaluation
Certification as an institutional instrument
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Certification is a key instrument for ensuring quality, transparency, and trust.
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CIFA does not view certification as an award in a marketing sense, but as an institutional process based on clearly defined criteria, independent evaluation and verifiable principles.
CIFA's role in the certification process
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CIFA acts as an international reference institution in the field of certification.
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CIFA's mission is to define frameworks and principles by which institutions, organizations, and agencies can be classified, evaluated, and recognized.
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CIFA is not a regulatory authority, but an independent body that provides guidance and comparability at the international level.
The CIFA Certification System
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The CIFA Certification System is based on a multi-stage, transparent approach.
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Key elements are:
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clearly defined criteria
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transparent evaluation processes
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institutional responsibility
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regular review
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Certification is always based on structure, quality and responsibility – not on individual services or products.
Evaluation and recognition process
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CIFA's certification process follows a structured procedure:
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Examination of the institutional prerequisites
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Evaluation of relevant quality, education and ethics standards
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Documented decision-making
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Institutional recognition within the CIFA system
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The process is designed to create comparability and make long-term quality visible.
The CIFA Commendation
(Institutional award)
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The CIFA Commendation represents the highest form of institutional recognition within the CIFA system.
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It is awarded to organizations and institutions that demonstrate an exceptional level of quality, responsibility and commitment beyond the regular certification requirements.
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Commendation is not an automatic consequence of certification, but a conscious, selective recognition.
Criteria of Commendation
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The awarding of the CIFA Commendation is based on expanded criteria, including:
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sustainable institutional quality
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special responsibility in the educational or quality context
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exemplary ethical stance
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long-term impact and integrity
The decision is made based on an independent evaluation process.
Importance of Certification and Commendation
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Certification and commendation serve as guidance tools for institutions, partners and decision-makers.
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They support:
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international classification
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comparability
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Trust in institutional quality
The focus is always on the institutional significance – not the short-term effect.
Recognition arises from responsibility.
Responsibility arises from structure.
Confédération Internationale de la Formation et
de l'Esthétique (CIFA)
International non-profit organization · Switzerland