These Terms govern the relationship between Ahekian Holding B.V., registered in the Netherlands (KVK 99399393), operating the Human Craft Mark under the domain humancraftmark.net (hereinafter "HC Mark"), and any individual or organisation that creates an account, submits an application, holds a certificate, or interacts with the certification system (hereinafter "the User").
By creating an account or submitting an application, the User accepts these Terms in full. Acceptance is a condition of use. The HC Mark reserves the right to update these Terms at any time with 30 days' notice to registered users by email. Continued use after the notice period constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.
Critical Notice — Nature of the Certification
The HC Mark provides limited assurance only. The certification conclusion states that based on defined procedures and examined evidence, nothing has come to the attention of the HC Mark that causes it to believe the certified work was not human-made. This is a negative assurance formulation consistent with ISAE 3000 (Revised). Any party relying on an HC Mark certificate is relying on a documented limited assurance conclusion. The HC Mark expressly disclaims any warranty of human authorship beyond the procedures described in HCM.METH.2026.v1.
2.1 — What the HC Mark provides
A structured, evidence-based, limited assurance certification process operating under the HC Mark Methodology (HCM.METH.2026.v1). Two tiers: Tier 1 (Verified Human Work) for specific creative works, and Tier 2 (Certified Human Practice) for ongoing practices assessed through the V-Score Protocol. Both tiers produce limited assurance conclusions only.
2.2 — Eligibility
Tier 1 is open to any professional practitioner who can provide verified identity, a signed Declaration, and at minimum one independent corroborating evidence source — process documentation or SAF-02 assessment. Tier 2 is restricted to current Tier 1 holders. The HC Mark reserves the right to decline any application at its sole discretion with a written reason provided to the applicant.
2.3 — No guarantee of certification
Payment of the applicable fee does not guarantee the issuance of a certificate. Where an application is declined, the HC Mark will refund the application fee within 14 working days, less any non-refundable processing costs stated at the time of application. Processing costs will not exceed €5 per application.
2.4 — Automated detection tools
The HC Mark uses automated AI detection tools for triage purposes only. These tools are probabilistic instruments with documented limitations. Their outputs are not evidence and are not cited in any certification conclusion. No application is approved or declined solely on the basis of an automated detection tool result.
3.1 — Pricing
Fees are as published on humancraftmark.net at the time of application. Tier 1 single work: €19. Tier 1 ten-pack: €89. Tier 1 annual subscription: €149/year. Tier 2 first certification: €490. Tier 2 annual renewal: €390/year. Tier 2 monthly: €39/month. The HC Mark reserves the right to change pricing at any time. Changes apply to new applications and new subscription periods only.
3.2 — Payment processing
All payments are processed through Stripe. The User accepts Stripe's terms of service by providing payment details. The HC Mark does not store payment card data. All transactions are subject to the applicable VAT rate in the User's jurisdiction.
3.3 — Subscriptions
Annual and monthly subscriptions renew automatically. The User receives a renewal notice 14 days before renewal. Subscriptions may be cancelled at any time through the account portal. Cancellation takes effect at the end of the current subscription period. No refunds for partial subscription periods.
3.4 — Refunds
Full refund within 14 working days where an application is declined. No refund where a certificate is revoked due to false declaration by the User. Full refund of the most recent certification fee within 14 working days where a certificate is revoked due to an error by the HC Mark.
4.1 — Permitted use
A certificate holder may display the HC Mark badge on any platform, website, portfolio, printed material, exhibition label, or communication without restriction on the number of platforms or format of display. The badge must link to the HC Mark verification portal when used in digital contexts where hyperlinking is possible. The certificate holder must not represent the certification as a guarantee or absolute verification of human authorship.
4.2 — Prohibited use
The following are material breaches of these Terms: displaying a badge for a certificate that has expired, been revoked, or belongs to another practitioner or work; modifying the badge in any way that removes embedded metadata or alters its visual identity; representing the certification as a guarantee or warranty of human authorship; sub-licensing the badge or certificate to any third party; using the badge in connection with a work other than the certified work.
4.3 — Accurate representation
The certificate holder must accurately represent the nature of the HC Mark to any party that enquires. The HC Mark provides limited assurance only. Where the certificate holder uses the badge in commercial contexts, they must not imply that the HC Mark has endorsed the commercial quality, value, or investment merit of the certified work.
4.4 — Licence
The certificate holder receives a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable licence to display the badge for the duration of the valid certificate. This licence terminates immediately upon expiry or revocation.
5.1 — Grounds and procedure
Grounds for revocation and evidence requirements are set out in Section VIII of the Methodology Document (HCM.METH.2026.v1). Before revocation for false declaration or identity misrepresentation, the HC Mark notifies the certificate holder and allows 7 days for a written response. For cases involving clear documented evidence of AI generation confirmed by independent corroboration, revocation may be immediate.
5.2 — Not a legal finding
Revocation is a withdrawal of the limited assurance conclusion on the basis of new or contradicting evidence. It is not a legal finding of wrongdoing, fraud, or copyright infringement. Certificate holders retain the right to pursue independent legal remedies if they believe a revocation decision was incorrect.
5.3 — Appeals
A certificate holder may appeal a revocation decision within 14 days of the revocation notice. Appeals must be submitted in writing to appeals@humancraftmark.net with full supporting documentation. Appeals are reviewed by a Senior Assessor not involved in the original decision. The HC Mark aims to conclude all appeals within 21 working days. The appeals determination is final within the HC Mark system and does not preclude the certificate holder from pursuing independent legal remedies.
5.4 — Public disclosure
When a certificate is revoked for false declaration or identity misrepresentation, the revocation is published in the public registry. The published record states: the certificate ID, the professional name, the revocation date, and the category of ground. The underlying evidence is not published. This disclosure is a necessary condition of the HC Mark's integrity as a certification body.
6.1 — HC Mark liability — capped and limited
The HC Mark's total liability to any User for any claim arising from or connected with these Terms, the certification service, or any certificate issued, is strictly limited to the amount paid by that User for the relevant certification in the 12 months preceding the claim. The HC Mark is not liable under any circumstances for indirect loss, consequential loss, loss of profits, loss of business, reputational loss, or any other economic loss arising from the use or non-use of a certificate or from any error in the certification process.
6.2 — No warranty of correctness
The HC Mark does not warrant that its limited assurance conclusion is correct. The conclusion reflects the state of evidence available at the time of assessment. New evidence, undisclosed facts, or developments after the assessment date do not create retroactive liability for the HC Mark. No party may claim against the HC Mark on the basis that a certified work was subsequently found to be AI-generated, provided that the HC Mark followed its published procedures in good faith.
6.3 — Detection tool disclaimer
The HC Mark uses AI detection tools for triage only and makes no representation about the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of any detection tool. No claim may be made against the HC Mark on the basis of a detection tool result — whether a false positive (human work incorrectly flagged as AI) or a false negative (AI work incorrectly passed).
6.4 — User liability — unlimited
The User is fully and unlimitedly liable for all losses, costs, damages, and legal consequences arising from: a false declaration, misuse of a certificate or badge, display of an expired or revoked certificate as active, or any breach of these Terms. The User indemnifies the HC Mark against all claims, costs, damages, and expenses arising from the User's breach, including legal costs on a full indemnity basis.
6.5 — Third-party reliance
Any third party who relies on an HC Mark certificate does so on the basis of a limited assurance conclusion only. The HC Mark is not liable to any third party for any loss arising from reliance on a certificate. Third parties are directed to the public verification record and the Methodology Document (HCM.METH.2026.v1) to understand the nature and limitations of the certification before relying on it.
7.1 — Data processing
Personal data is processed in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR) and the HC Mark Privacy Policy published at humancraftmark.net/privacy. By creating an account, the User consents to the processing of personal data as described in the Privacy Policy.
7.2 — Submitted works
Works submitted for certification are processed solely for the assessment purpose. They are transmitted to third-party AI detection services under data processing agreements that restrict their use to the detection triage function only. They are not published, licensed, or used for any other purpose.
7.3 — Retention
Evidence files are retained for 7 years per the Evidence Retention Schedule in Section IX of the Methodology Document. Users may request access to their own evidence file at privacy@humancraftmark.net.
These Terms are governed exclusively by Dutch law. Any dispute arising from or connected with these Terms, including questions of existence, validity, or termination, shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Amsterdam, Netherlands. Before initiating legal proceedings, both parties agree to attempt resolution through 30 days of good-faith negotiation following written notice of the dispute.
Clear terms.
Bounded liability.
No ambiguity on either side.
These Terms constitute the entire agreement between the HC Mark and the User in relation to the certification service. They supersede all prior communications and agreements. If any provision is found invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions continue in full force. The HC Mark provides limited assurance only and expressly disclaims any warranty or guarantee of human authorship beyond the procedures described in HCM.METH.2026.v1.
Document Index
I. Parties, Acceptance, and NatureSection I
II. The Certification ServiceSection II
III. Fees and PaymentSection III
IV. Use of Certificate and BadgeSection IV
V. Revocation and AppealsSection V
VI. Limitation of LiabilitySection VI
VII. Data and PrivacySection VII
VIII. Governing Law and DisputesSection VIII
Enquiries
INFO@HUMANCRAFTMARK.NET
AHEKIAN HOLDING B.V.
KVK 99399393 / Gorontalostraat 35 C, 1095 TM Amsterdam
Established 2026 / © 2026 All Rights Reserved