/ THE STANDARD

The Proof of Cause standard — version 1.0

Published on 30 September 2026

Four levels of proof

1. 0Level 0Declarative

   The brand makes the claim, with no supporting evidence.

2. 1Level 1Documented

   The agreement with the nonprofit and the transfer order are filed.

3. 2Level 2Confirmed

   The beneficiary nonprofit independently confirms the amount received and attaches its receipt.

4. 3Level 3Attested

   An independent chartered accountant attests that the amount paid matches the promised calculation.

Rules common to all levels

1. 01Amount, beneficiary, period and transfer date are shown in plain terms.
2. 02The calculation method is published, with caps and exclusions.
3. 03The beneficiary is identified by its legal name and its RNA or SIREN number.
4. 04Any promise still running shows a provisional counter marked "in progress".
5. 05The page is kept for at least five years, with a timestamped history.
6. 06No commission is taken on donations.
7. 07Any dispute is reported on the page within 10 working days.

What the standard is not

• It does not judge the cause or the nonprofit.
• It does not replace legal advice.
• It is not a label within the meaning of Directive (EU) 2024/825.
• It is never shown as a seal or a logo in advertising.

Licence

The standard is published free of charge. Any organisation may refer to it by citing its version.