ACCREDIFY.CA

Legal Terms & Policies

Terms and Conditions  •  Refund Policy  •  Privacy Policy

Effective Date: July 2024 - Updated: July 2026

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Part 1: Terms and Conditions

These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") govern access to and use of the Accredify.ca website, application process, verification services, and business/professional directory (collectively, the "Service"), operated by Accredify ("Accredify," "we," "us," or "our"). By submitting an application, paying a fee, or otherwise using the Service, the applicant business or professional ("Applicant," "you," or "your") agrees to be bound by these Terms.

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1. Description of Service

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Accredify operates a third-party verification and accreditation program modeled on an independent business-standards review, similar in spirit to services offered by organizations such as the Better Business Bureau. Accredify reviews documentation submitted by Applicants — including business registration, licensing, insurance, staff credentials, and safety practices — and, where an Applicant meets Accredify's published standards, issues an accreditation and a listing on the public Accredify.ca directory (a "Listing") intended to help verified businesses and professionals be discovered by potential clients.

Accredify currently offers accreditation review for the following business categories, with additional categories to be added over time:

• Construction & Trades

• Beauty & Wellness

The specific information and documentation required for each category is set out in the applicable Accredify Accreditation Application form, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference.

 

2. Eligibility and the Application Process

 

To apply, an Applicant must complete the relevant Accredify Accreditation Application form in full and submit all required supporting documentation and the applicable fee. Depending on business category, Applicants should expect to provide, at minimum:

• Legal business name, operating name, address, and contact details

• Business registration / incorporation documents and, where applicable, HST number

• Proof of general liability insurance (and professional liability/malpractice insurance, where applicable)

• Applicable licenses, permits, or inspection records (e.g., trade licenses, WSIB Clearance Certificate, health unit permits)

• Credentials, certifications, and experience details for lead staff, practitioners, or supervisors

• Evidence of health, safety, and quality-control practices (e.g., safety policies, sanitation protocols, incident reporting)

• Two professional or client references

• A signed declaration certifying that the information provided is true and accurate

This list is a general summary for applicant-facing purposes. The controlling, category-specific requirements are those listed on the Construction & Trades and Beauty & Wellness application forms.

Accredify reserves the right to request additional information or clarifying documentation at any time during its review, and to decline, delay, or revoke accreditation in its sole discretion where information is incomplete, inconsistent, or cannot be verified.

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3. Fees

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Applicants must pay the applicable fee at the time of application. Current fees are:

• Application / Accreditation Fee: $199 CAD, applicable to both the Construction & Trades and Beauty & Wellness categories

• Annual Renewal Fee: $149 CAD, billed to maintain an active, accredited Listing

All fees are quoted in Canadian dollars and are exclusive of applicable taxes unless stated otherwise. Fees are described further in Part 2: Refund Policy, and payment/subscription handling is described in Section 5 below.

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4. Application Review Period (Six-Month Window)

 

Applicants have six (6) months from the date of payment (the "Review Window") to complete their application, respond to any Accredify requests for additional information, and satisfy Accredify's accreditation requirements. The Review Window is firm and applies without exception.

• If Accredify requires additional information or documentation, Accredify will request it by email, and the Applicant is responsible for responding within the Review Window.

• If the Applicant does not complete the application, or does not provide requested information, within the Review Window, the application is closed and the application fee is forfeited.

• An Applicant whose Review Window has expired must submit a new application and pay the applicable fee again to be reconsidered. No exceptions will be made to extend the original Review Window.

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5. Accreditation Decisions and Listings

 

Accreditation is granted or withheld at Accredify's sole discretion based on its review of the submitted application and supporting documentation. Accreditation is not a guarantee, warranty, or endorsement of the quality, safety, or outcome of any Applicant's work, services, or products, and Accredify does not act as an insurer or guarantor of any Applicant's conduct.

An accredited Applicant's Listing will display accreditation status and any related information Accredify determines is appropriate for consumers viewing the directory. Accredify may suspend or revoke accreditation and remove a Listing at any time if it discovers false, misleading, or materially incomplete information, if required licenses or insurance lapse, if it receives credible complaints, or if the Applicant otherwise fails to maintain Accredify's standards.

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6. Subscriptions, Renewals, and Payment

 

Payments are processed by our third-party payment processor, Stripe. Accredify does not directly collect, store, or have access to full credit card numbers; card data is held and processed by Stripe in accordance with its own security standards.

• Applicants who choose the annual (yearly) subscription option authorize Accredify to keep a payment method on file with Stripe for renewal billing.

• Before the renewal charge is processed, Accredify will notify the Applicant by email in advance of the renewal date.

• If the Applicant does not cancel or otherwise respond before the renewal date, the card on file will be charged the then-current renewal fee ($149 CAD, subject to change on notice) to maintain the active Listing.

• Applicants may cancel automatic renewal at any time before the renewal date by contacting Accredify at support@accredify.ca cancellation stops future charges but does not refund amounts already paid, as described in Part 2.

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7. Applicant Responsibilities and Accuracy of Information

 

Applicants are solely responsible for the accuracy, completeness, and currency of all information and documents submitted, and must promptly notify Accredify of any material change (e.g., lapsed insurance, license suspension, change of ownership) that could affect their accreditation status.

 

8. Verification and Right to Investigate

 

By applying, the Applicant authorizes Accredify to independently verify submitted information with third parties, including licensing bodies, insurers, and references, and consents to Accredify contacting such third parties for that purpose.

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9. Directory Use by the Public

 

Consumers and members of the public may search and view the Accredify.ca directory free of charge. Accredify makes no warranty regarding the results of services obtained through any Listing and is not a party to, and bears no responsibility for, any contract between a consumer and a listed Applicant.

 

10. Intellectual Property

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The Accredify name, logo, website, and accreditation marks/badges are the property of Accredify. Accredited Applicants are granted a limited, revocable, non-transferable license to display the applicable Accredify accreditation badge on their own marketing materials solely while their accreditation remains active and in good standing.

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11. Limitation of Liability

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To the maximum extent permitted by law, Accredify's total liability arising out of or relating to the Service will not exceed the fees paid by the Applicant to Accredify in the twelve (12) months preceding the claim. Accredify is not liable for indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages, including lost business or lost profits, arising from an Applicant's accreditation status, Listing, or any dealings between a consumer and an Applicant.

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12. Indemnification

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The Applicant agrees to indemnify and hold Accredify harmless from any claims, damages, or expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising from the Applicant's submitted information, its services, or its breach of these Terms.

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13. Termination

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Accredify may suspend or terminate an Applicant's accreditation or access to the Service at any time, with or without notice, for breach of these Terms, failure to maintain eligibility requirements, non-payment, or conduct that Accredify determines, in its discretion, is harmful to consumers, other Applicants, or Accredify's reputation.

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14. Governing Law

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These Terms are governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein, without regard to conflict-of-law principles. The parties attorn to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Ontario.

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15. Changes to These Terms

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Accredify may update these Terms from time to time. Material changes will be posted on Accredify.ca with an updated effective date. Continued use of the Service after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

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16. Contact

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Questions about these Terms can be directed to support@accredify.ca

 

 

Part 2: Refund Policy

This Refund Policy forms part of, and should be read together with, Accredify's Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

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1. All Fees Are Non-Refundable

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The Accredify application/accreditation fee ($199 CAD) and the annual renewal fee ($149 CAD) are non-refundable in all circumstances, including where an Applicant:

• does not ultimately qualify for or is not granted accreditation;

• withdraws or abandons the application after payment;

• fails to submit required information or documentation within the six-month Review Window;

• has accreditation suspended or revoked for breach of the Terms and Conditions; or

• changes their mind after purchase for any reason.

Payment covers the cost of Accredify's review, verification, and administrative work, which is performed regardless of the outcome of the application. No partial, prorated, or full refunds will be issued once a payment has been processed.

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2. The Six-Month Review Window

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Every Applicant has six (6) months from the date of payment to complete their application and satisfy all accreditation requirements. This window applies with no exceptions, regardless of the reason for delay.

• If Accredify needs more information or documents, it will email the Applicant with a specific request; the Applicant is responsible for responding within the six-month window.

• Time spent waiting on third parties (e.g., insurers, licensing bodies, references) still counts toward the six-month window.

• If the window closes before the application is complete and approved, the application is closed, the fee is forfeited, and no refund is issued.

• To be reconsidered after the window closes, the Applicant must submit a brand-new application and pay the applicable fee again.

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3. Renewal Fees

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For Applicants on the annual subscription, Accredify will email a notice in advance of the renewal date. If the Applicant takes no action, the card on file will be charged the renewal fee to keep the Listing active. Once a renewal charge has been processed, it is non-refundable, including if the Applicant cancels shortly afterward or decides they no longer want the Listing. Applicants who wish to avoid a renewal charge must cancel before the renewal date.

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4. Chargebacks and Disputes

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Applicants agree to contact Accredify at billing@accredify.ca to resolve any billing concern before initiating a chargeback or payment dispute with their bank or card issuer. Accredify reserves the right to suspend or terminate accreditation for accounts that initiate a chargeback for fees properly owed under these Terms.

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5. Questions About This Policy

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Applicants with questions about a charge should contact billing@accredify.ca before applying, as all sales are treated as final once payment is submitted.

 

 

Part 3: Privacy Policy

Accredify.ca ("Accredify," "we," "us") is committed to protecting the privacy of Applicants, accredited businesses, and visitors to our website. This Privacy Policy explains what personal and business information we collect, how we use and protect it, and the choices available to you. This Policy is intended to align with Canada's Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and applicable Ontario privacy law.

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1. Information We Collect

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Depending on how you interact with Accredify, we may collect:

• Business/contact information: legal and operating business name, address, phone, email, website/social media, primary contact name and title

• Registration and compliance details: incorporation/registration numbers, HST number, licenses, permits, insurance provider and coverage details, WSIB clearance, inspection records

• Staff and practitioner information: names, positions, certifications, licensing bodies, years of experience, and uploaded credential documents

• Health, safety, and quality documentation submitted as part of an application

• Reference contact details provided by the Applicant

• Payment information: processed and stored by our payment processor, Stripe — Accredify does not store full credit card numbers

• Website usage data: such as IP address, browser type, and pages visited, collected automatically via cookies or similar technology

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2. How We Use Your Information

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We use the information collected to:

• Evaluate and verify accreditation applications, including contacting licensing bodies, insurers, and references

• Create and maintain accredited Listings on the public directory

• Communicate with Applicants about their application, required information, billing, and renewals

• Process payments and manage subscriptions through Stripe

• Maintain records required for compliance, dispute resolution, and fraud prevention

• Improve and secure the Accredify website and Service

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3. Confidentiality and Data Security

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All information submitted through an Accredify application is treated as confidential and is used only for the purposes described in this Policy. We restrict internal access to applicant information to personnel who need it to process applications, and we use administrative and technical safeguards designed to protect information from unauthorized access, loss, or misuse.

Only limited information that an Applicant is accredited for — such as business name, category, service area, and accreditation status — is made public on the directory. Underlying documentation (e.g., insurance certificates, staff credentials, references) is not published publicly and is kept private.

 

4. Payment Information (Stripe)

 

All credit card and payment details are collected and processed directly by Stripe, a PCI-compliant third-party payment processor. Accredify does not directly receive, store, or have access to full card numbers. For Applicants on the annual subscription plan, Stripe securely retains the payment method on file so that renewal charges can be processed after Accredify sends an advance email notice, as described in our Terms and Refund Policy. Stripe's own privacy practices govern its handling of payment data; see Stripe's privacy policy for details.

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5. Data Retention

 

We retain application information for as long as needed to administer accreditation, respond to inquiries, and meet legal, accounting, or dispute-resolution requirements.

• If an application is not completed within the six-month Review Window, or an Applicant does not qualify, we retain the submitted information for 12 months in case of a future re-application or dispute, after which it is securely deleted or de-identified.

• Information for accredited Applicants is retained for as long as the accreditation/Listing remains active, plus a reasonable period afterward for record-keeping.

 

6. Sharing of Information

 

We do not sell Applicant or client personal information. We may share information with:

• Licensing bodies, insurers, and references, solely to verify an application

• Service providers who help us operate the Service (e.g., Stripe for payments, hosting/IT providers), under confidentiality obligations

• Regulators or law enforcement where required by law

 

7. Cookies and Website Analytics

 

Accredify.ca may use cookies or similar technologies to operate the website and understand how visitors use it. You can control cookies through your browser settings; disabling cookies may affect some site functionality.

 

8. Your Rights

 

Subject to applicable law, you may request access to, correction of, or deletion of your personal information held by Accredify, or ask questions about how it is used, by contacting support@accredify.ca.  We will respond within a reasonable time and in accordance with PIPEDA.

 

9. Data Breach Notification

 

If a breach of security safeguards involving personal information occurs that poses a real risk of significant harm, Accredify will notify affected individuals and applicable regulators as required by law.

 

10. Changes to This Policy

 

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Material changes will be posted on Accredify.ca with a revised effective date.

 

11. Contact Us

 

For privacy questions or requests, contact: support@accredify.ca.