1. Purpose and Scope

These Regulations define the standards, procedures, and conditions governing the certification, evaluation, renewal, and use of the Certified Neutral – THE-NEUTRALS™ designation conferred by The Neutrals Organization (hereafter “the Organization”).

The purpose of certification is to:

• Recognize professional competence, independence, and integrity in dispute prevention and resolution.

• Establish uniform global standards for the appointment and conduct of Certified Neutrals.

• Promote trust, credibility, and excellence within the global neutral profession.

2. Certification Authority

The authority to grant, renew, suspend, or revoke certification rests exclusively with the Independent Certification Board (ICB), established under the Organization’s Bylaws.
The Board functions independently of all operational or commercial activities to ensure impartiality, transparency, and merit-based evaluation.

3. Certification Categories

Certification is available across multiple professional levels, reflecting experience, domain expertise, and contribution to the field.

4. Eligibility Criteria

All applicants must meet the following general requirements:

a. Demonstrated experience or training in dispute prevention, mediation, arbitration, negotiation, or neutral evaluation.
b. Commitment to principles of independence, impartiality, integrity, and confidentiality.
c. No current disciplinary sanctions from any professional or regulatory body.
d. Good standing in their jurisdiction of practice.
e. Completion and submission of the official Application for Certification & Appointment to the Bench with all required information and documents.

Specific eligibility criteria for each category are defined by the ICB and may include minimum experience thresholds, verified case experience, or recognized professional credentials.

5. Certification Process

The certification process consists of the following stages:

Step 1: Application Submission

• Applicants complete the official online application form and submit all supporting documentation (CV, photo, ID proof, etc.).

• Incomplete applications are held pending clarification.

Step 2: Preliminary Verification

• Administrative verification of completeness and eligibility by the Certification Secretariat.

Step 3: Evaluation by the Board

• Independent review by a minimum of two (2) evaluators appointed by the ICB.

• Assessment based on the Certification Evaluation Framework, which includes:

  • Professional qualifications and experience

  • Ethical conduct and disciplinary history

  • Domain expertise and specialization

  • Contribution to the field or community

  • Personal statement and motivation

  • References or supporting materials (if applicable)

Step 4: Scoring and Recommendation

• Applications are scored on a 100-point matrix.

• Candidates achieving a minimum of 70% are recommended for certification.

• Results are documented and submitted to the ICB for final approval.

Step 5: Notification and Confirmation

• Successful candidates are notified via email within 5–7 working days.

• Upon payment of the annual certification and bench maintenance fee, candidates receive:

  • The official digital certificate

  • Authorization to use the THE-NEUTRALS™ mark

  • Inclusion in the Global Registry and sectoral Bench listings.

6. Certification Validity and Renewal

a. Certification remains valid for the period stated in Section 3, provided the individual maintains ethical standing and active engagement.
b. Renewal applications must be submitted 30 days prior to expiry and include:

• Updated professional profile and CV;

• Declaration of continued compliance with the Code of Ethical Conduct;

• Evidence of ongoing professional development or engagement.
  c. Failure to renew on time may result in automatic lapse of certification.
  d. Renewal evaluations are administrative unless prior issues require full reassessment.

7. Multi-Sectoral and Cross-Border Certification

a. Applicants may seek certification in up to two (2) practice sectors (e.g., Construction, Healthcare).
b. Additional sectors require a short addendum application.
c. Cross-border recognition may be extended upon demonstration of international case experience or jurisdictional familiarity.

8. Bench Composition and Appointments

a. Each Sectoral Bench in a country shall consist of up to ten (10) Certified Neutrals representing varied expertise.
b. Appointments are made annually, based on certification results and available positions.
c. Certified Neutrals are eligible for appointments to panels, cases, and thought-leadership initiatives coordinated through the Organization.
d. The Organization may maintain regional, national, or global benches for specialized fields.

9. Use of Designation

Certified individuals may use the title “Certified Neutral – THE-NEUTRALS™” along with sector and regional designation, e.g.

Certified Neutral – THE-NEUTRALS™ (Construction, Asia-Pacific)

The mark may be used on professional materials, in accordance with the Brand & Trademark License Terms and Ethical Conduct Code.

10. Suspension, Revocation, and Reinstatement

a. Certification may be suspended or revoked under the following conditions:

• Proven violation of the Code of Ethical Conduct or Discipline & Oversight Rules;

• Misrepresentation of credentials or false information in the application;

• Non-payment of certification or renewal fees;

• Misuse of the mark or brand identity.

b. A suspended Neutral may apply for reinstatement upon fulfillment of corrective requirements and a compliance review by the ICB.

11. Appeals

Applicants or Certified Neutrals may appeal certification or disciplinary decisions within thirty (30) days of notification.
Appeals are reviewed by the Certification Appeals Panel, whose decision shall be final and binding.

12. Fees

Certification and renewal fees are determined annually by the Executive Board and published in the official Fee Schedule & Financial Regulations.
No fee is payable until the candidate has been approved for certification.

13. Confidentiality

All application materials, evaluations, and deliberations of the ICB are confidential.
Only the final decision (certified, deferred, or rejected) is communicated to applicants.

14. Transparency and Listing

Certified Neutrals’ names, sectors, and regions shall be publicly listed in the Global Registry of Certified Neutrals on www.theneutrals.org.
Other personal details are disclosed only with consent.

15. Amendments

These Regulations may be amended by the Independent Certification Board with approval from the Executive Board.
All amendments are published on the Organization’s website and take effect immediately upon publication.

16. Effective Date

These Regulations come into effect on 1 January 2025 and govern all certifications issued thereafter.

Issued by:
Independent Certification Board (ICB)

The Neutrals Organization
www.theneutrals.org