Right of reply

Brands receive a reasonable opportunity to provide evidence, correct factual details and respond to material criticism.

Before publication

For a material adverse finding, we send the brand the substance of the issue, the claim being assessed, the evidence question and a reasonable response deadline. The deadline may vary with complexity or urgency.

What brands may provide

Product-specific laboratory reports and test protocols.
Certificate numbers, holders, scope and chain-of-custody information.
Current warranty, price, delivery or specification documents.
A factual response for publication.
Evidence that a claim has been changed, qualified or withdrawn.

How responses are handled

Responses are assessed under the same evidence standard as all other material. Relevant responses may be quoted or summarised accurately and linked to the associated claim record. A response does not provide advance approval or control over our wording, conclusions, timing or publication.

No response

If no response is received by the stated deadline, the record may say so. Silence is not treated as proof that a claim is false. Brands may provide relevant evidence after publication, and we will review it under the corrections policy.