After the final certification score and report is issued to your team, if your organization does not agree with one or more of the compliance decisions from the final STOKE Independent Evaluation Report, then you may elect to enter the appeals process for one or more criteria.
The Independent Evaluator and STOKE Board carefully consider each compliance decision after a comprehensive review of your evidence submissions, evaluator's on-site interviews, and research into local nuances (e.g., government policy, supplier limitations, geography, etc.). Hence, why there is a 30-day grace period after the on-site evaluation to work diligently with your team on follow-up items that address red flags to ensure the most accurate compliance score possible.
If after careful consideration, your organization still feels that you would like to appeal a compliance decision for one or more criteria, you may make your case in the appeals form accessed from the web app. Each criterion that you submit for appeal will result in a $200 fee per appeal.
After submitting the appeals form, STOKE will contact you to process payment. After payment is made, the STOKE Board and Independent Evaluator will follow up with your team to discuss your appeal, review your evidence, and potentially request additional information over the course of 15 to 30 business days before making a decision and amending your certification status if approved.
Remember, if the STOKE Board and Independent Evaluator decide to deny your appeal(s) after the review process and your organization still does not exceed the minimum requirements for certification, you cannot appeal a second time and your organization will need to reapply for an on-site evaluation for STOKE certification.