Legal

Disclaimer

Important clarifications about FAO’s role, our relationship with awarding bodies, and the scope of the information provided on this website.

Effective Date

1 June 2026

Last Updated

June 2026

Applies To

www.federationaos.com

1. General Disclaimer

The information contained on this website (www.federationaos.com) is provided by the Federation of Awarding Organisations (“FAO”) for general informational and reference purposes only. While we make every effort to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability of the information, products, services or related graphics contained on this website for any purpose.

Any reliance you place on information provided on this website is strictly at your own risk. FAO accepts no liability for any loss or damage — including, without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage — arising from reliance on this website or the use of any information it contains.

2. FAO’s Status and Role

This disclaimer contains information that is particularly important to understand before engaging with FAO or using the information on this website.

FAO is not an awarding body, examination board, regulator or training provider.

FAO is an independent support and coordination organisation that acts as a gateway and federation body. FAO does not itself award qualifications, issue certificates, confer accreditation, or provide regulated training to learners unless expressly stated otherwise in a specific written agreement.

The Federation of Awarding Organisations exists to:

  • Connect training providers, colleges, employers and government organisations with regulated UK awarding body partners.
  • Provide guidance and support in navigating the centre approval process with individual awarding bodies.
  • Offer quality assurance support, advisory services and workforce development consultancy.
  • Facilitate relationships between international organisations and the UK qualifications sector.

FAO is a coordination and support body. Any decisions regarding centre approval, qualification registration, certificate issuance and regulatory recognition rest entirely with the individual UK awarding bodies within the FAO network, each of which operates independently and holds its own regulatory recognition from Ofqual or equivalent regulatory authorities.

3. Qualifications and Certification Disclaimer

References on this website to qualifications, programmes, frameworks, certification processes and centre approval pathways relate to the independent awarding body partners within the FAO network. These awarding bodies are separate legal entities, each holding their own regulatory recognition.

FAO does not:

  • Issue, register or administer qualifications on behalf of learners.
  • Grant or withhold centre approval from awarding bodies.
  • Guarantee that any organisation will achieve or maintain centre approved status with any awarding body.
  • Guarantee specific outcomes for learners, whether in terms of qualification attainment, employment or progression.
  • Represent, act as agent for, or have authority to bind any UK awarding body partner in any contractual or regulatory matter.

If you have questions about a specific qualification, registration, certification or approval decision, you should contact the relevant UK awarding body directly. FAO can facilitate introductions but cannot act as a substitute for direct engagement with the awarding body.

4. Accuracy of Information

The qualifications sector and regulatory environment are subject to ongoing change. Information on this website — including details about qualification frameworks, regulatory requirements, approved qualification lists, awarding body partner details and centre approval criteria — reflects our understanding at the time of publication and may not reflect the most current position.

You should always:

  • Verify qualification details, fees, approval criteria and processes directly with the relevant UK awarding body.
  • Check the current position of any qualification on the relevant regulatory register (e.g. Ofqual’s Register of Regulated Qualifications).
  • Take independent advice before making significant business, contractual or investment decisions based on information found on this website.

FAO accepts no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for losses arising from decisions made in reliance on information contained on this website.

5. Professional Advice

Nothing on this website constitutes legal, regulatory, financial, professional or career advice. The information provided is general in nature and is not tailored to the specific circumstances of any individual or organisation.

If you require advice regarding:

  • Regulatory compliance or recognition in a specific jurisdiction
  • The legal status of a qualification in a particular country or for a specific purpose
  • Contractual arrangements with an awarding body
  • Employment law, immigration or skills recognition requirements

…you should consult an appropriately qualified professional adviser. FAO can provide guidance and facilitate introductions, but does not provide regulated professional advice services.

6. Regulatory Information

FAO is not regulated by Ofqual, the Qualifications Wales Authority, CCEA Regulation, or any equivalent awarding body regulatory authority. FAO does not hold regulatory recognition as an awarding organisation in the UK or any other jurisdiction.

References on this website to “regulated qualifications” or “UK-regulated” qualifications refer to qualifications regulated by Ofqual and equivalent bodies, awarded by the independent UK awarding body partners within the FAO network. These awarding bodies hold their own recognition; FAO does not hold or share that recognition.

In international markets, the recognition of UK qualifications may depend on local regulatory frameworks, equivalency decisions and employer or sector policies that are outside FAO’s control. FAO cannot guarantee the recognition of any qualification in any specific jurisdiction, and organisations and individuals should verify local recognition independently.

8. Third-Party Content

Where this website features content provided by, or references made to, partner organisations, these references are provided in good faith based on publicly available information and direct relationship disclosures. FAO does not independently verify all claims made by partner organisations and accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of partner-supplied information.

The views, opinions, and statements of any third party featured on this website are those of the third party and do not necessarily represent the views of FAO.

9. No Guarantee of Outcome

Engagement with FAO, submission of an enquiry through this website, or referral to an awarding body partner does not guarantee any specific outcome, including but not limited to:

  • Approval as a centre by any awarding body.
  • Approval or recognition of any specific programme or learning provider.
  • A specific timeline for any approval or accreditation process.
  • The availability of a specific qualification in a specific market.
  • The long-term availability of any qualification, programme or partner service.

All approval, accreditation and regulatory decisions are made by the relevant awarding bodies or regulatory authorities, not by FAO.

Beware of misrepresentation: FAO does not authorise any third party to claim FAO accreditation, FAO membership, or FAO approval as a mark of qualification quality or regulatory recognition on its own behalf. If you encounter any organisation making such claims without appropriate contextual explanation, please contact us at contactus@federationaos.com.

10. Contact

If you have questions about this Disclaimer, or wish to report any inaccuracies or concerns about information contained on this website, please contact us:

Federation of Awarding Organisations

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Email: contactus@federationaos.com

This Disclaimer should be read in conjunction with our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.

Need Clarification?

If you have questions about FAO’s role or how we can support your organisation, our team is happy to help.