Certification Agreement

1Public Verification Tool

Your certification status is publicly verifiable through the Model ID verification tool at model-id.com/verify. This allows brands, models, and other industry participants to confirm your certification is valid.

1.1 What is publicly visible:

• Your agency name (as certified)
• Your unique certificate number
• Your certification status (Active, Suspended, Revoked, Expired, or Withdrawn)
• Your certification issue date and expiry date
• Your user type (Agency)
• Your verification badge (visual confirmation of status)
• Your city of registration
• Your agency website
• Your main agency contact email (for anti-fraud confirmation by brands and models)

1.2 What is NOT publicly visible:

• Your phone number and full registered address
• Your beneficial owners or controllers
• Your uploaded identity or business-registration documents
• Your payment information
• Details of any reports filed about you
• Details of any investigations
• Specific reasons for suspension or revocation
• Your internal account history or activity

1.3 Verification by third parties:

• Anyone may verify your certificate using your certificate number or verification QR code
• Verification returns only the information listed in section 1.1
• We may provide verification API access to authorized industry partners
• API access is subject to separate agreements and does not expand what information is visible

2Founding Member Directory (Optional)

• If your agency is approved as a Founding Member, you may choose to appear in our public Founding Member Directory
• Directory participation is entirely optional and separate from the verification tool
• You control your directory visibility through your account settings and may change this preference at any time
• Removing your agency from the directory does not affect your verification tool listing

3Agency Logo and Images

• You may upload an agency logo as part of your certification
• Your logo may be displayed in the verification tool results and the Founding Member Directory (if you opt in)
• Your logo does NOT appear on your digital certificate (the certificate itself does not carry imagery for agency certifications)
• You retain all rights to your logo. By uploading, you grant IMF a non-exclusive license to display it for certification purposes only
• If you delete your account in good standing, your logo will be removed from public display within 30 days
• If your certification is revoked for safety or severe reasons, your logo may be retained in verification records to protect industry participants from misidentification

4Certification Status Changes

Your certification status may change during or after your certification period.

4.2 Warning system and suspension:

Warning points. Verified reports may result in warnings issued across three tiers — administrative, professional, and safety — with weighted points. Accumulating 7 or more active warning points triggers a mandatory review of your certification, which may result in suspension.

Points from issues that are resolved are withdrawn and no longer count toward this total — resolution actively clears the path.

Severe matters — a fourth tier covering sexual harassment or assault, serious harm, criminal activity, and AI deepfakes — bypass the warning system entirely. IMF may suspend or revoke certification immediately for severe matters, without accumulation of points and without prior warning. This direct-action path is reserved for matters where the nature of the conduct makes graduated warning inappropriate.

Suspension duration:

• First suspension: 30 days
• Second suspension: 90 days (with final warning)
• Third suspension or pattern of issues: May result in revocation

After suspension ends:

• Status returns to “Active” (assuming certification hasn't expired)
• Suspension history remains visible for 1 year after each suspension ends
• After 1 year with no visible suspension history, the record is removed entirely
• Internal account history retains all suspension records (visible only to you and IMF admins)

4.3 Precautionary suspension during investigation:

• We may suspend your certification while we investigate serious reports
• If the investigation clears you, suspension is lifted and no public record remains
• Precautionary suspension does not count as a "suspension" for escalation purposes if you are cleared

4.4 Revocation:

Revocation is permanent removal of your certification. This may occur due to:

• Serious safety violations
• Severe criminal conduct
• Pattern of repeated suspensions
• Serious professional misconduct
• Fraud or misrepresentation

Revocation cannot be reversed, but you may appeal the decision within 14 days.

4.5 Notification:

• You will be notified via email before any status change takes effect
• For warning-point suspensions: Notification at 5 points (warning) and 7 points (suspension)
• For precautionary suspensions: Notification as soon as practicable, explaining the investigation
• For revocations: Notification with full reasoning and appeal information
• Emergency precautionary suspensions for immediate safety concerns may take effect before notification

5Account Deletion and Data Retention

You may request deletion of your Model ID account at any time. However, certain records are maintained as described below.

5.0 Lawful basis for retention:

Where this section provides for retention of certification records after deletion, IMF processes that data under Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR — legitimate interests — and, where the underlying conduct concerns special-category data, Article 9(2)(g) (substantial public interest under Union or Member State law on the basis of professional integrity and consumer protection).

The legitimate interests pursued are: (a) preventing certificate fraud (an agency obtaining certification, using it commercially, then deleting evidence); (b) protecting brands, models, and other industry participants from misidentification, repeat conduct, or recidivism; and (c) maintaining the integrity of the certification register as a public-trust mechanism. IMF balances these interests against your fundamental rights, retaining only the minimum data needed for each category and tier (see §5.4) and removing names from public records where the safety/severe threshold is not met.

You may object to processing under Article 21. IMF reviews objections case by case and will weigh your interest in erasure against the public interest in maintaining the record. Severe-tier records (sexual assault, serious harm, criminal activity, AI deepfakes — see §4.2) are retained on the basis that the public interest substantially outweighs the data subject's interest in erasure, by analogy with public licensing-board records.

5.1 If you delete your account IN GOOD STANDING:

(Never suspended, never revoked, no unresolved reports)

This prevents an agency from obtaining certification, using it to win work, then deleting evidence of its certification. It also prevents certificate fraud.

5.2 After suspension(s) but no revocation:

Same as 5.1 — past suspensions do not affect your deletion rights if you're currently in good standing.

5.3 With unresolved reports:

• Account deletion is paused until reports are resolved
• You will be notified of pending reports
• Once resolved, deletion proceeds per 5.1 or 5.4 based on outcome

5.4 After revocation:

Your revocation record is maintained based on the category:

5.6 What you CANNOT delete:

• The fact that a certificate number was issued
• Audit logs required for legal compliance (not publicly visible)
• Records subject to active legal proceedings or investigations

6Name Changes

• Your agency's registered legal name is locked at certification. If your legal entity changes name, contact support@model-id.com with documentation of the change
• Updated certificates will display your new agency name
• We may require documentation of the legal name change (e.g., registry extract)
• Previous agency names and trading names are not publicly displayed by default, but may be retained internally for identity verification and fraud prevention
• For safety or severe revocations, if there is evidence of using name changes to evade accountability, prior names may be displayed

7Representation of Minors

7.1 Your obligations when representing minors:

• If your agency represents models under 18, additional safeguarding obligations apply as set out in the Safeguarding & Protection Framework
• You must obtain and retain valid parental or guardian consent for each minor your agency represents, and supply it on request
• Failure to meet minor-specific safeguarding obligations is treated under the safety tier of the warning system, or as a severe matter where conduct warrants it

7.2 How IMF handles reports involving a minor you represent:

• Reports involving minors are routed to senior safeguarding review (not standard admin queue) and appropriate authorities may be involved where safeguarding concerns arise
• Public verification records for a minor are limited to certificate number and status — the minor's name and any prior-conduct flags remain internal regardless of revocation tier. This is independent of any enforcement action against your agency
• Where the agency itself is the subject of a report involving the welfare of a minor it represents, the agency's name and public-visibility consequences are determined under §4 and §8 in the normal way; the protections in this section concern the minor, not the agency

8Reports and Investigations

Model ID operates a reporting system to maintain industry safety and certification integrity.

8.1 If you file a report:

Named Reports:

• IMF staff know your identity and can investigate
• The reported party is informed a report exists and receives details to respond
• Your identity MAY be shared with the reported party as part of investigation or resolution
• Your report may lead to enforcement action (warnings, suspension, revocation)

Anonymous Reports:

• IMF staff know you submitted a report (for follow-up purposes only)
• The reported party is NOT informed and receives NO information
• Your identity is NEVER shared with the reported party
• IMF cannot investigate or take enforcement action based solely on one anonymous report
• Your report documents a pattern that may influence future certification decisions

8.2 If someone files a named report about you:

• You will be notified and receive details sufficient to respond

Verified reports may result in warnings (administrative, professional, or safety tier) with weighted points. Reaching 7 active points triggers mandatory review and possible suspension; resolved issues are withdrawn and do not count. Severe matters bypass the warning system and may result in immediate suspension or revocation.

8.3 If someone files an anonymous report about you:

• You will NOT be notified or know the report exists
• No enforcement action from a single anonymous report
• Multiple anonymous reports creating a pattern may lead to additional scrutiny at renewal

8.4 Report retention:

Reports themselves are never publicly visible. Only outcomes (suspension or revocation) may become visible if enforcement thresholds are reached.

8.5 Resolution of reported issues:

If a reported issue is resolved, the report is marked Withdrawn, any associated warning points are removed from your active total, and the matter is not publicly visible. Resolved issues do not count toward suspension thresholds.

9Third-Party Integrations

• We may provide verification services to authorized third parties (brands, platforms, other agencies) via verification API access, embedded badges, or bulk verification
• Third-party access is limited to information already publicly visible in the verification tool — no additional personal data is shared
• Third parties are contractually bound to use data only for verification
• You cannot opt out of third-party verification access, as public verifiability is core to the certification's purpose and value

10Disputes and Accuracy

• If you believe your certification status is displayed inaccurately, contact support@model-id.com
• We will investigate and correct any factual errors within 30 days
• Disputes about the merits of suspension or revocation decisions are handled through the appeals process, not as data accuracy complaints
• During dispute investigation, your current status remains displayed unless we determine an error occurred

11Why We Maintain These Records

Model ID exists to protect the modeling industry from exploitation, fraud, and safety risks. Maintaining accurate, public certification records:

• Prevents agencies from misrepresenting their certification status
• Protects brands and models from unknowingly working with uncertified or revoked agencies
• Maintains the integrity and trust of the certification system
• Creates accountability in an industry historically lacking oversight
• Supports our mission as a public benefit organization

This is consistent with how professional licensing boards worldwide maintain public records of certification status and disciplinary actions.

Retention of these records is grounded in Article 6(1)(f) GDPR (legitimate interests) and, where relevant, Article 9(2)(g) (substantial public interest). See §5.0 for detail.

12Changes to This Agreement

• We may update this agreement to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or certification program
• Material changes will be communicated via email at least 30 days before taking effect
• Continued use of Model ID after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of updated terms
• If you do not accept material changes, you may delete your account (subject to retention provisions in Section 5)

13Limitation of Liability

13.1 Nature of Certification. IMF certification reflects information disclosed by the agency in its certification application at the time of submission, and IMF's review of that information against published certification criteria. Certification is not an audit or warranty of the agency's ongoing operations, conduct, or compliance with any law.

13.2 No Endorsement. IMF does not endorse, sponsor, or vouch for the commercial practices, contractual arrangements, employment practices, or business conduct of certified agencies. Certification confirms the agency met the criteria at the point of review; it does not certify the agency's continuing conduct.

13.3 No Liability for Agency Acts. IMF assumes no liability for any acts, omissions, contractual or non-contractual conduct, or any harm or loss caused by a certified agency, its principals, employees, or contractors. The agency remains solely responsible for its own actions and any related liability.

13.4 Reliance. Third parties relying on IMF certification do so on the understanding that certification is a point-in-time review of the agency's self-disclosed information and not a continuing guarantee. Use of the IMF certification mark by third parties to identify a certified agency does not transfer any liability from the agency to IMF.

13.5 Misrepresentation. Where certification was obtained on the basis of misrepresentation or material omission, IMF may revoke certification retroactively and bears no liability for any reliance placed on the certification during that period.

13.6 Information surfaced post-certification. Certification reflects information available to IMF at the time of approval. As reports, investigations, or new community input bring new information to light, IMF may revise certification status accordingly. This includes cases where no misrepresentation occurred — IMF's review is a point-in-time judgment and may be updated as the evidence base changes.

14Advisory Council & Escalation

Most decisions affecting your certification — including approvals, warnings, suspensions, revocations, and appeals — are made by IMF. The following escalation framework supplements that decision-making.

14.1 Matters that may be escalated:

IMF may, at its discretion, escalate the following types of decisions to an independent Advisory Council for advisory review:

• Enforcement decisions (warnings, suspensions, revocations) where the evidence is materially contested or the matter is novel or precedent-setting
• Appeals against enforcement or certification decisions
• Initial certification applications only in borderline cases where IMF requests advisory input

Parties to a matter (the certified entity, reporters, or other affected persons) cannot request escalation. Escalation is solely at IMF's initiative, to protect the integrity of the Council from external influence.

14.2 Anonymity of information:

Information presented to the Advisory Council is anonymised before review. Names of reporters, accused persons, witnesses, and where practicable the certified entity itself are redacted. Where the prior conduct of a party is materially relevant, IMF provides that context without disclosing identity (e.g., “this party has had prior enforcement actions”).

14.3 Decision-making:

The Advisory Council provides a recommendation by majority vote, with panels convened in odd numbers where practicable. The final decision rests with IMF's board, typically exercised by a designated board member with legal expertise. The board may decline to follow a Council recommendation where it has good-faith reasons to do so, including matters of particular sensitivity, conflicts of interest, urgency, or other circumstances making Council guidance inappropriate. Where the Council does not reach a clear recommendation, the board decides based on the matter as presented.

14.4 Status:

IMF's Advisory Council is in formation. Until fully constituted, IMF makes all decisions internally.

15Competition Law and Agency Independence

15.1 Bilateral nature of IMF certification. IMF certification is a bilateral relationship between IMF and each individual agency. IMF is not a trade association, industry forum, or coordination mechanism. Certification does not create any contractual, organisational, or informational link between certified agencies.

15.2 Agency responsibility for compliance. Your agency remains solely responsible for its own compliance with all applicable competition, antitrust, and trade-practice laws. IMF certification does not provide legal advice, does not constitute a competition-law compliance review, and does not protect against, excuse, or limit your agency's exposure to investigation, enforcement, or penalty under such laws.

15.3 What certification does NOT authorise. Without limiting the foregoing, IMF certification does NOT authorise or facilitate any of the following between certified agencies:

• Coordination on pricing, day rates, commissions, or other commercial terms
• No-poach, no-solicitation, or other agreements restricting the recruitment of models, employees, or contractors
• Allocation of markets, clients, brands, geographies, or segments
• Group boycotts or coordinated refusal to deal
• Exchange of competitively sensitive information, including benchmarking, forward-looking pricing data, costs, capacity, customer-specific terms, or aggregated commercial data not otherwise publicly available

If IMF later offers any forum, communication channel, publication, or service whose function would or could include any of the foregoing, that activity is outside the scope of this certification and is governed by its own terms.

15.4 Your acknowledgement. By accepting certification, your agency acknowledges that it has had the opportunity to obtain its own legal advice on competition-law matters and accepts sole responsibility for its conduct in this area.

16Contact

For questions about this agreement or your certification records:

• General inquiries: support@model-id.com
• Privacy/data requests: privacy@model-id.com
• Appeals: appeals@model-id.com

International Modeling Foundation, Netherlands