Rules, Regulations & Requirements for Using the Certification Mark

The Uniquely Cook Islands Mark is a registered certification mark. It is protected under intellectual property law and may only be used in accordance with the following rules and requirements.

These rules apply to all accredited members, regardless of Token (Taʻunga, Ito Manava, or Vaka) or class of goods and services.

1. Eligibility

  • The business, the maker, or the seller must have a verifiable cultural connection to the Cook Islands.
  • This connection must be truthful, demonstrable, and supported by evidence if requested.

2. General Rules

  • The Mark and Tokens may only be used by accredited members who have completed the Orientation and Accreditation process.
  • The Mark and Tokens remain the property of the Business Trade & Investment Board (BTIB). Permission to use them can be suspended or revoked if these rules are breached.
  • All use of the Mark and Tokens must be truthful, accurate, and not misleading. Cultural stories, motifs, and references must always be used respectfully and with permission where required. Accredited members must also agree to follow the official usage guidelines provided by BTIB, including rules for use, reproduction, placement, colour, and sizing.
  • Accredited users must maintain records to support their claims (e.g. supplier attestations, invoices, permissions). BTIB may request these records for verification at any time.

3. Use of the Mark

  • The Mark shows that your business is an accredited participant in the Uniquely Cook Islands program.
  • It may be used to promote your business as a whole, for example on:
    • Shopfronts and stalls
    • Websites and social media
    • Business cards, signage, and promotional materials
  • The Mark must not be used directly on products or services. That is the role of the Tokens.
  • The Mark must be reproduced only in approved forms (colours, proportions, and formats supplied by BTIB). It may not be altered, stretched, redrawn, or combined with other symbols.

4. Use of the Tokens

  • Tokens show the type of connection your accredited product or service has to the Cook Islands.
  • Each accredited product or service must display only the Token it has been approved for.
  • Tokens must always be used with an accredited product or service. They cannot appear on their own or on unapproved items.
  • Tokens may not be altered in design, shape, or wording. Written Token names may be used only in educational contexts to explain meaning, not in marketing.

5. Token-Specific Requirements

  • Taʻunga (Cultural Protection & Preservation): Strict use of Cook Islands origin materials and traditional methods, processes, and designs; cultural permissions must be obtained where required.
  • Ito Manava (Local Production & Innovation): Authorship, design, or leadership must be by a Cook Islander or Cook Islands entity; cultural connections must be truthful and verifiable.
  • Vaka (Diaspora/Overseas): Applicant must show verified family ties; claims must be truthful, respectful, and supported by evidence; protected categories (e.g. pearls, fresh produce) must still originate in the Cook Islands; cultural connections must be truthful and verifiable.

6. Protected Categories

  • Some categories have strict cultural or material requirements that cannot be substituted:
    • Fresh produce, flowers, wreaths: must be grown in the Cook Islands.
    • Pearls and pearl jewellery: must use Cook Islands pearls.
  • Items in these categories that do not meet requirements are not eligible.

7. Permissions for Cultural Knowledge

If a product or service uses traditional stories, motifs, or knowledge, applicants must ensure they hold the necessary permissions or a clear rationale for why permission is not required. Documentation must be kept on file and provided to BTIB if requested.

8. Compliance and Monitoring

  • BTIB may conduct audits or request evidence at any time including before approval, at renewal, or if a complaint is received.
  • Accredited members must cooperate with BTIB staff and provide documentation within reasonable timeframes.
  • Misuse of the Mark or Tokens may result in:
    • Suspension (temporary loss of use while an issue is reviewed)

Revocation (permanent removal of accreditation and public notice on the registry)

9. Status and Renewal

  • Public statuses are limited to Active, Inactive, and Revoked.
  • Accreditation must be renewed every 24 months from the date of award. If renewal is not completed, status will automatically change to Inactive.
  • Members must immediately stop using the Mark and Tokens if accreditation lapses or is revoked.

10. Enforcement

  • BTIB reserves the right to take legal action against unauthorised or misleading use of the Mark or Tokens.
  • Appeals may be made to the Governance Panel in cases of dispute.

11. Contact

If you are unsure about these rules or how they apply to your business, please contact BTIB before using the Mark or Tokens.

Last Updated: 02/10/2025

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