REQUIREMENTS OF BUREAU ACCREDITED BUSINESSES Accreditation in the Better Business Bureau is by invitation only. Accreditation must be approved by the Bureau's Membership Committee and reviewed by the Board of Directors.
- A business must be in business in the Bureau's service area for not less than one year, or such longer period of time as necessary to evaluate an applicant's record. This condition may be waived at the discretion of the Bureau for any of the following reasons:
- the principals previously operated a firm with a satisfactory record in this or another BBB's service area; or
- the firm is a branch of an existing member or company that has met these standards
- Accredited businesses must be free from an unsatisfactory report at the BBB in whose service area the company is headquartered.
- the principals previously operated a firm with a satisfactory record in this or another BBB's service area; or;
- the firm is a branch of an existing member or company that has met these standards.
Adhere to established Better Business Bureau standards of advertising and selling, including the Code of Online Business Practices for online businesses that apply for the BBBOnLine reliability logo, and cooperate with the Bureau in matters relating thereto.
- Sign an Accredited Business Application and pay the appropriate dues and fees as set by the BBB
- Accredited Businesses shall supply background information about the company, its principals or other information deemed essential to the Bureau's responsibility to provide inquirers with factual reports that bear on the reliability of the business.
- Accredited Businesses must fulfill all licensing and bonding requirements of applicable city, county, state and federal agencies and authorities, provide license numbers upon application for BBB membership and provide periodic updates on request of the Bureau.
- Accredited Businesses will promptly respond to any and all complaints forwarded by the Bureau and make good faith efforts to resolve all such complaints in accordance with generally accepted good business practices.
- Accredited Businesses will comply with any decisions rendered through the Bureau or an alternative provider's binding arbitration program, or make a good faith determination as to whether to adhere to any informal dispute settlement decisions.
- Accredited Businesses will make every possible effort to cooperate with the BBB in eliminating the underlying causes of pattern of customer complaints that the Bureau may call to the company's attention.
- Accredited Busineses will cooperate with the Bureau's activities and efforts to promote voluntary self-regulation within the business's industry.
- Accredited Businesses must adhere to established Better Business Bureau standards of advertising and selling, and cooperate with the Bureau in matters relating thereto.
- Accredited Businesses must be free from any governmental action concerning the marketplace and its customers that demonstrates a significant failure of the company to support the principles and purposes of the Better Business Bureau. An Accredited Business must be suspended by the BBB Board of Directors when an action is filed if the allegations suggest such a failure.
- Accredited Business shall refrain from using the name or logo of the Better Business Bureau for commercial, sales or advertising purposes in any manner not specifically authorized in writing by the BBB.
- Accredited Business will support the principles and purposes of the Bureau by maintaining a positive public image and reputation for the business which affects the public's opinion of the Bureau and its members.
- Accredited Business will respond to the Bureau within 10 business days to all complaints referred by the Bureau.
- The handling of casework, including complaints, performance reports and other similar matters regarding Accredited Business firms is solely the responsibility of Bureau employees.
CANCELLATION OF ACCREDITATION Bureau accreditation can be canceled by the Bureau President for any of the following reasons:
- Failure to cooperate with the Bureau in answering complaints and eliminating a pattern of complaints.
- Failure to correct, where warranted, advertising and selling practices which do not meet the 'Do's And Don'ts In Advertising.'
- Bankruptcy of the business.
- Non-payment of annual dues within (30) days of their due date.
- Accredited Business understands that, if it is merged, acquired or consolidated with another company, it must inform the BBB, and the new company must re-qualify for BBB accreditation.
- Cessation of business in the Bureau's service area.
- Request of the Accreditated Business.
Upon cancellation of accreditation, all decals and membership plaques are to be returned to the Bureau. No refunds are made on paid accredited dues as a result of cancellation by the Bureau, or voluntary resignation by the members. Accredited Businesses will be notified in writing of cancellation. The member may appeal in writing to the Executive Committee.
