Explaining PFS TECO's Certification Marks

PFS Corporation (dba PFS TECO) owns several certification marks, many of which are federally registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. These include (but are not limited to) TECO TESTED^®, FLOOR SPAN^®, SHEATHING SPAN^®, and the registered PFS Checkmark.

What Are Certification Marks? Certification marks are different from standard trademarks and service marks because they are not used to identify the source of the owner's goods and services. Instead, certification marks are used to certify the quality, regional origin, or other origin of third-party goods. When consumers see a certification mark on a product or in connection with services, they can assume the goods or services meet the standards of safety or quality that have been clearly established and advertised by the certifier.

What do PFS TECO Certification Marks Signify? PFS TECO's certification marks signify that various engineered wood products (EWP) like laminated veneer lumber (LVL), oriented strand board (OSB), and plywood meet PFS TECO's quality and performance standards. PFS TECO certifies products only after thoroughly testing them. That way, when builders, code officials, and others in the building design and construction communities see the PFS Checkmark or TECO TESTED^® designations on EWPs, they know that the products meet PFS TECO's performance requirements and those of the particular standard to which they are certified (e.g., PS 1 or PS 2 for plywood, PS 2 for OSB, etc.).

Who Can Use PFS TECO's Certification Marks? Only PFS TECO clients who have applied for certification and have obtained certification after testing may use PFS TECO's certification marks. PFS TECO has strict limitations on how its certification marks may be used. These limitations include (but are not limited to):

• Control: PFS TECO exercises control over use of its marks so that only certification clients in good standing are authorized to use PFS TECO's certification marks. Prior to using PFS TECO certification marks, certification clients must enter into a written license agreement which governs their use of the certification marks.
• Certification Only: The only authorized use of PFS TECO's certification marks is to certify that the products PFS TECO certification clients manufacture are in compliance with the applicable performance standards. PFS TECO itself cannot and does not produce or market any of the products it certifies.
• Uniform Application: PFS TECO offers certification fairly and evenly to all manufacturers who meet the standards and conditions that PFS TECO has established for certification. Further, PFS TECO does not discriminate or refuse to certify manufacturers that meet these standards and conditions.
• Use of the Marks: PFS TECO's certification marks are used to clearly inform consumers of the product characteristics that are certified, and used so that the marks are physically applied to the certified products themselves, via a grade stamp or other means.

Use of PFS TECO certification mark(s) is prohibited unless PFS TECO has first tested, approved and certified the product at issue and has licensed the product manufacturer to use the certification mark(s). Any unauthorized use of PFS TECO's registered certification marks is prohibited and a violation of U.S. trademark law.

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Examples of PFS TECO Certification Marks

Here are examples of PFS TECO's distinctive, registered certification marks:

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For more information on the certification process and standards for each PFS TECO certification mark, please contact PFS TECO’s corporate office at (608) 839-1013 or visit our website at www.nfpaglobalsolutions.com/about/our-marks.