Updated on 18 November 2025
Purpose and Scope
This guidance provides clear, professional, and legally aligned instructions on ICSD membership matters, the proper use of Certified ESG Planner (CEP®) and Certified ESG Manager (CEM®) accreditations, and appropriate attribution of the CEPAR® methodology by active members of the International Chamber of Sustainable Development (ICSD).
Ownership of the Marks and Eligibility
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ICSD owns the trademarks for Certified ESG Planner (CEP®), Certified ESG Manager (CEM®), and CEPAR® methodology.
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Only individuals who have:
(a) successfully completed the approved course and assessment for CEP® or CEM®, and
(b) maintained active ICSD membership
are authorised to use the respective designations and logo.
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If a member fails to renew their membership, they lose the right to use the accreditation(s). The individual must not present themselves as a CEP® and/or CEM® certificant until membership has been reactivated. They may, however, make factual statements indicating that they previously held the accreditation(s).
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ICSD reserves the right to suspend or revoke the use of the CEP® / CEM® designation at any time in cases of misconduct, reputational harm, or misrepresentation. While factual statements regarding the benefits of obtaining the CEP® / CEM® accreditation are permitted, any statement that exaggerates an individual’s competence or implies that superior performance can be expected from a CEP® / CEM® certificant is strictly prohibited.
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ICSD members are non-voting members, and annual membership fees are used to maintain ICSD’s operations and support its charitable and educational activities.
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The general public, including employers, may verify the membership status of a CEP® and/or CEM® holder through ICSD’s official website: https://www.icsdglobal.org/cep-cem-verification.
Members may request to opt out of public listing.
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When referencing the CEPAR® methodology, the following attribution must be included:
“CEPAR® is a methodology trademarked by the International Chamber of Sustainable Development (ICSD) for addressing ESG issues.”
General Requirements for Using the CEP® Trademark
Certified ESG Planner certificants should follow ICSD’s requirements when using the CEP® trademark in communications.
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The trademark should be used together with the full title “Certified ESG Planner.”
Recommended Use:
• I am a CEP® Certified ESG Planner.
• I am a Certified ESG Planner CEP®.
NOT recommended Use:
• I am a CEP®.
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Always use capital letters and the ® superscript symbol.
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The CEP® mark must appear in all capital letters without periods between the letters.
Correct Use:
• John Lim, CEP®
Incorrect Use:
• John Lim, cep®
• John Lim, C.E.P.®
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The CEP® trademark must be used as a descriptive adjective—never as a standalone noun or verb, except when following an individual’s name, such as in a signature block, letterhead, or business card.
Correct Use:
• John Lim is a CEP® certificant
• John Lim practices ESG planning as a CEP® certificant
Correct Use: (Following Practitioner’s Name)
• John Lim, CEP®
Incorrect Use:
• John Lim is a CEP®
中文使用：
林約翰
認可 ESG 策劃師 CEP®
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How to add CEP® accreditation on a name card
General Requirements for Using the CEM® Trademark
Certified ESG Manager certificants should follow ICSD’s requirements when using the CEM® trademark in communications.
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The trademark should be used together with the full title “Certified ESG Manager.”
Recommended Use:
• I am a CEM® Certified ESG Manager.
• I am a Certified ESG Manager CEM®.
NOT recommended Use:
• I am a CEM®
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Always use capital letters and the ® superscript symbol.
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The CEM® mark must appear in all capital letters without periods between the letters.
Correct Use:
• John Lim, CEM®
Incorrect Use:
• John Lim, cem®
• John Lim, C.E.M.®
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The CEM® trademark must be used as a descriptive adjective—never as a standalone noun or verb, except when following an individual’s name, such as in a signature block, letterhead, or business card.
Correct Use:
• John Lim is a CEM® certificant
• John Lim practices ESG planning as a CEM® certificant
Correct Use: (Following Practitioner’s Name)
• John Lim, CEM®
Incorrect Use:
• John Lim is a CEM®
中文使用：
林約翰
認可 ESG 管理師 CEM®
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How to add CEM® accreditation on a name card
