The certification mark, as used by authorized persons, certifies that the approved companies provide services and products that meet criteria established by the membership organization related to the permanent disposal of paper documents, electronic data, and data recorded or captured in other media. The certification mark can only be used by approved companies to indicate compliance with the standards, guidelines, rules, procedures, and regulations set forth by government, professional organizations, individual industry service and product providers, and educational institutions, after the approved companies have been audited, evaluated, and approved by the membership organization. The certification mark, as used by authorized companies, certifies that the services and products provided by the companies displaying the mark meet the operating standards and tests of procedures and processes related to safety, thoroughness, confidentiality, competency, skill, and knowledge, and require that their employees adhere to these standards. The operating standards are established by the authorizing membership organization based on laws, regulations, standards, and best practices established by government, professional industry organizations, international standards organizations, individual service and product providers, and educational institutions.