1. How rigorous is the testing process?
测试过程有多严格？
We pride ourselves in being the foremost authority in identifying products that are safer and healthier for people affected by asthma and allergies, and we take that responsibility very seriously. Unlike some “Seal of Approvals,” we do not accept paper-based evaluations of manufacturer data. Each standard is written and approved by a medical and scientific advisory committee using best-in-class data. We require each product to be tested at an independent approved laboratory facility in compliance with the relevant standard in that product category. Testing takes approximately 12 weeks and involves the use of climate-controlled chambers using live biological agents by a team of scientists. Aside from the allergen and chemical testing, we also take into consideration other factors that are important to consumers, such as comfort physiology and physical performance to ensure it can withstand the necessary cleaning recommendations.
我们以成为鉴定对哮喘和过敏症患者更安全更健康的产品的最高权威而感到自豪，我们对此非常重视。与某些“批准书”不同，我们不接受对制造商数据的书面评估。每个标准均由医学和科学咨询委员会使用同类最佳数据编写和批准。我们要求每种产品都要在独立的认可实验室中进行测试，以符合该产品类别中的相关标准。测试大约需要12周的时间，并且涉及一组科学家使用活生物制剂对气候控制室的使用。除了过敏原和化学测试外，我们还考虑了其他对消费者重要的因素，例如舒适的生理机能和物理性能，以确保其能够承受必要的清洁建议。
2. What is the cost for Certification?
认证费用是多少？
First, there is a cost to have the product tested to determine its eligibility for Certification. The testing costs vary for each type of product and the testing that the relevant standard requires. If the product successfully passes testing, the brand then enters into a Licensing Agreement with us and pays an annual fee. The annual fee covers usage rights of the asthma & allergy friendly®® logo, marketing and PR, and many other benefits. The annual fee is determined by the size of the company, geographic territory, the product’s estimated net sales. We are happy to provide you with a quote.
首先，对产品进行测试以确定其认证资格是有成本的。对于每种类型的产品和相关标准要求的测试，测试成本会有所不同。如果产品成功通过测试，该品牌便与我们签订许可协议并支付年费。年费包括哮喘和过敏友好®®徽标的使用权，营销和PR以及许多其他好处。年费取决于公司的规模，地域，产品的预计净销售额。我们很高兴为您提供报价。
3. How long does the Certification Process take?
认证过程需要多长时间？
The process timeline varies depending on the type of product/service being tested. On average, the product testing phase usually takes about 12 weeks. From start to finish, the total application and certification process takes 5 months.
流程时间表因要测试的产品/服务的类型而异。平均而言，产品测试阶段通常需要12周左右的时间。从头到尾，整个申请和认证过程需要5个月。
4. I don’t see my type of product listed in the standard categories. How can I obtain certification?
我没有在标准类别中看到我的产品类型。我如何获得认证？
Please contact us with more information for specific requests about new standard development. Allergy Standards is an international standards body that develops standards for testing a wide range of products to determine their suitability. If our medical and advisory committee agrees that a new standard area would provide a benefit to asthmatics and individuals with associated allergies, we will develop a new standard for testing in that particular area. New standard development is a longer process and Certification for a new standard usually takes around 9 months from start to finish. We recently released a new standard for Whole Home Air Cleaners and Cabin Air Filters.
请与我们联系以获取更多信息，以了解有关新标准制定的特定要求。过敏标准是一个国际标准组织，其开发用于测试各种产品以确定其适用性的标准。如果我们的医学和咨询委员会同意新的标准区域可以使哮喘病患者和有相关过敏的个人受益，那么我们将制定新的标准来对该特定区域进行测试。新标准的开发是一个较长的过程，新标准的认证从开始到完成通常需要9个月左右。我们最近发布了全屋空气滤清器和机舱空气滤清器的新标准。
5. How long will my product be certified?
我的产品认证时间多长？
Certification runs for as long as the Certification contract is valid, subject to audit and compliance reviews to ensure that each product remains eligible for Certification.
只要认证合同有效，认证就会运行，并接受审核和合规性审查，以确保每种产品都符合认证资格。
6. Are there any restrictions on how I can use the logo or promote the product?
我如何使用徽标或促销产品是否有任何限制？
All brands must comply with the standard terms and conditions of our Brand Manual and Licensing Agreement, which will also specify which countries/geographies are approved. As long as these legal requirements are met, we strongly encourage brands to use the certification mark on your packaging, digital assets, and also through distributors and retail stores. We can even provide guidance, advice, consultation, and support to help you use Certification effectively, educate retailers or distributors, and transform your digital landscape.
所有品牌都必须遵守我们的《品牌手册和许可协议》的标准条款和条件，其中还将指定批准哪些国家/地区。只要符合这些法律要求，我们强烈建议品牌商在您的包装，数字资产上以及通过分销商和零售店使用认证标志。我们甚至可以提供指导，建议，咨询和支持，以帮助您有效地使用认证，教育零售商或分销商并改变您的数字环境。
7. Are you exclusive in any certification category?
是否有一些排除的认证产品类别？
No. As a registered Certification Mark, we offer certification for all products that meet the relevant testing standards. By identifying multiple products in each category, we help people affected by asthma and allergies to make informed decisions to choose a product that is right for them.
否。作为注册的认证标志，我们为所有符合相关测试标准的产品提供认证。通过在每个类别中识别多种产品，我们可以帮助患有哮喘和过敏症的人做出明智的决定，选择适合他们的产品。
8. Once testing and licensing is finalised, are there any ongoing testing fees?
一旦完成测试和许可，是否需要支付持续的测试费用？
No, but we do reserve the right to inspect products to ensure compliance to the relevant certification standard. From time to time, we will announce amendments to existing standards to ensure that they remain up-to-date with the latest technologies and data. This may require all products in that certification category to pass an additional set of tests to ensure that they are compliant with the updated standard. However, this will be communicated to each company in advance with necessary lead time to make any required changes to the product. We also require that companies notify us if there are any changes to the product formulations or manufacturing environment.
不需要，但是我们保留检查产品的权利，以确保符合相关认证标准。我们会不时宣布对现有标准的修订，以确保它们与最新技术和数据保持同步。这可能要求该认证类别中的所有产品通过一组额外的测试，以确保它们符合更新的标准。但是，这将在必要的交货时间之前提前通知每个公司，以对产品进行任何必要的更改。我们还要求公司在产品配方或生产环境有任何变化时通知我们。
9. How are you different from ‘eco-friendly’ and ‘sustainability’ Certifications?
这个与“环保”和“可持续性”认证有何不同？
Unlike other certification marks that look at other areas such as energy efficiency and environmental protection (which are all great things!), we focus solely on a product’s impact to human health. Consumer trend analyses show that people are growing more concerned about what’s better for their health, their family, and their home and not just sustainability and eco-focused. Independent studies of our Certification Mark show that it is an important addition to a portfolio of CSR initiatives and helps contribute to brand strength, trust, and social consciousness.
与在其他领域（例如，能源效率和环境保护）（这些都是伟大的东西！）的其他认证标志不同，我们仅关注产品对人类健康的影响。消费者趋势分析表明，人们越来越关注的是什么对自己的健康，家庭和家园更好，而不仅仅是可持续性和生态关注。对我们的认证标志的独立研究表明，它是CSR活动组合的重要补充，有助于提高品牌强度，信任度和社会意识。
10. How are you different from other human-health Certifications?
与其他人类健康认证有何不同？
Our Certification has been around for over 12 years and is used worldwide to signify that products have met our standard criteria. The strength of our program relies on best-in-class test methods and assurance that each product has been evaluated for efficacy and impact on asthma, allergies, and the home environment before permitting usage of the Certification Mark, as opposed to relying on manufacturer’s data or testing reports (which can often be inaccurately reported or tested in facilities that are not properly vetted).
我们的认证已有12多年的历史，并且在全球范围内用于表示产品已达到我们的标准。我们计划的优势在于一流的测试方法，并确保在允许使用认证标志之前，已对每种产品的功效和对哮喘，过敏和家庭环境的影响进行了评估，而不是依赖制造商的数据或测试报告（在未经适当审查的设施中，经常会报告或测试不正确）。
11. What’s different about products that are Certified asthma & allergy friendly®?
经过认证的哮喘和过敏友好®产品有什么不同？
Certified products are better choices for everyone – not just people with asthma or allergies. In order to be certified, products must show an added benefit and score in the top percentile of the relevant standard criteria to demonstrate their effectiveness, therefore ensuring that they contribute toward a healthier home environment, such as improving air quality or limiting exposure to toxic chemicals.
认证产品是所有人的更好选择，不仅是患有哮喘或过敏的人。为了获得认证，产品必须显示出额外的好处，并且必须在相关标准标准的最高百分位中得分，以证明其有效性，从而确保其对更健康的家庭环境做出贡献，例如改善空气质量或限制接触有毒化学物质 。
12. Why is a Certification Mark needed in this area and can Certification help manufacturers and retailers with allergy claim validation?
为什么在此领域需要认证标志，认证可以帮助制造商和零售商进行过敏声明验证吗？
For years, physicians, allergists, and immunologists have recommended that in addition to medicinal treatment, patients should purchase products that will reduce triggers in their home environment to help control symptoms. However, the marketplace is full of misleading claims on product packaging, making it difficult for consumers to choose products that are better choices. The FDA does not govern use of the term ‘hypoallergenic,’ and there are no federal standards in this area to protect consumers. Therefore, we created this Certification Program not just to help consumers identify products, but also to help manufacturers validate their allergy-related marketing claims through 3rd party scientific evaluation of product performance.
多年来，医师，过敏症专家和免疫学家建议，除药物治疗外，患者还应购买能减少家庭环境触发因素的产品，以帮助控制症状。但是，市场上充斥着对产品包装的误导性主张，这使消费者难以选择更好的产品。FDA对“低变应原性”一词的使用不做任何规定，并且在这一领域还没有联邦标准来保护消费者。因此，我们创建了此认证计划，不仅可以帮助消费者识别产品，还可以通过第三方对产品性能的科学评估，帮助制造商验证其与过敏相关的市场主张。
13. How big is this problem? How many people are affected by asthma and allergies?
这个问题有多大？有多少人患有哮喘和过敏症？
About 50 million Americans suffer from allergies, and 26 million Americans suffer from asthma. Asthma alone is the #1 cause of school absenteeism and #1 cause of ER visits among children, contributing to the healthcare cost burden from doctor’s visits, ER visits, and hospitalisations. This problem is worsening by the decade; and there has been a 100% increase in asthma and allergy prevalence over the past 30 years. Now, asthma and allergies are considered a Top 5 Hazard to Human Health Worldwide!
大约5000万美国人患有过敏症，2600万美国人患有哮喘。哮喘是导致学校缺勤的第一大原因，也是导致儿童急诊就诊的第一原因，这增加了医生就诊，急诊就诊和住院带来的医疗费用负担。十年来，这个问题正在恶化。在过去的30年中，哮喘和过敏症患病率增加了100％。现在，哮喘和过敏症被认为是全球人类健康的五大危害！
14. What happens if a product fails testing?
如果产品未通过测试会怎样？
Products that do not meet our standard criteria are not eligible for certification. About 15% of products do not meet our standards after testing, but many more voluntarily choose not to move forward with testing after becoming more familiar with the rigor of our standards. Before submitting a product for testing, you may speak with our Senior Scientific Officer to have all of your questions answered, discuss prior testing results that you have done, and get a better idea of what to expect during the testing journey. If the testing process signals a negative outcome, our research partners can work with you on an R&D/consultancy basis to help improve product performance and address the issues. This has often led to innovative product breakthroughs for our partners! Once a product passes testing, we encourage you to use the results as a platform to inform your target consumer and separate you from the competition! We are happy to support you in marketing and PR efforts, and can create awareness with our key demographic: consumers affected by asthma and allergies. Additionally, we will provide you with the full scientific test report and can also prepare informative scientific videos and curated content to help simplify the testing process and tell the story of your journey toward certification.
不符合我们标准标准的产品不符合认证资格。经过测试的产品中约有15％不符合我们的标准，但是在更加熟悉我们标准的严格性之后，更多的产品自愿选择不进行测试。在将产品提交测试之前，您可以与我们的高级科学官员交谈，以回答所有问题，讨论之前完成的测试结果，并更好地了解测试过程中的预期结果。如果测试过程显示出负面结果，我们的研究合作伙伴可以在研发/咨询的基础上与您合作，以帮助改善产品性能并解决问题。这通常为我们的合作伙伴带来了创新的产品突破！一旦产品通过测试，我们鼓励您使用结果作为平台，以告知您的目标消费者，并从竞争中脱颖而出！我们很高兴在市场营销和公关工作上为您提供支持，并且可以通过我们的主要受众（受哮喘和过敏影响的消费者）来提高知名度。此外，我们将为您提供完整的科学测试报告，还可以准备内容丰富的科学视频和精选内容，以帮助简化测试过程并讲述您获得认证的过程。
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