Auction House and Institutional Partnership Policy
Last Updated: 01.01.2026
The International Autograph Authentication Board (“IAAB”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) provides authentication, handwriting examination, and forensic document analysis services to auction houses, dealers, galleries, insurance companies, museums, institutional collections, and other professional market participants.
This Auction House and Institutional Partnership Policy establishes the framework governing professional collaborations between IAAB and institutional or commercial partners.
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1. PURPOSE OF PARTNERSHIP SERVICES
IAAB partnership services are designed to support professional market participants by providing independent expert authentication services for autographs, handwritten documents, and related materials.
Partnership services aim to:
• Enhance authentication transparency
• Strengthen provenance verification
• Support catalog documentation
• Assist due diligence procedures
• Provide professional authentication opinions
• Reduce authentication-related risk exposure
IAAB operates as an independent authentication authority and does not participate in valuation, pricing, or sales negotiation processes.
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2. ELIGIBILITY FOR PARTNERSHIP
IAAB may establish partnerships with:
• Auction houses
• Art and collectibles dealers
• Galleries
• Museums and institutional collections
• Insurance companies
• Cultural property organizations
• Law enforcement or governmental agencies
IAAB reserves the right to evaluate partnership eligibility based on reputation, professional standards, and compliance history.
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3. INDEPENDENCE AND NEUTRALITY
IAAB maintains strict independence in all authentication services.
Partnership status does not influence expert conclusions, examination methodology, or authentication outcomes.
IAAB experts are required to:
• Conduct examinations objectively
• Avoid commercial influence
• Maintain professional impartiality
• Disclose potential conflicts of interest
Partners acknowledge that authentication outcomes may include positive, inconclusive, or negative conclusions.
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4. SUBMISSION PROCEDURES FOR PARTNERS
Institutional partners may submit materials through agreed submission channels, which may include:
• Individual item submission
• Batch submission programs
• Pre-sale authentication review
• Post-sale authentication requests
• Collection review services
IAAB may establish dedicated submission workflows, communication protocols, and case management procedures for institutional partners.
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5. PRIORITY AND EXPEDITED SERVICES
IAAB may offer priority examination services for institutional partners subject to expert availability and case complexity.
Expedited services do not guarantee authentication outcomes or abbreviated analytical methodology.
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6. CONFIDENTIALITY AND DATA SHARING
IAAB maintains strict confidentiality regarding partner submissions, examination results, and client information.
IAAB may share examination results only with authorized partner representatives or clients designated by the partner.
Partners agree to maintain confidentiality regarding IAAB reports, expert findings, and internal authentication processes unless disclosure is legally required or authorized by IAAB.
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7. USE OF IAAB CERTIFICATION IN CATALOGS AND MARKETING
Partners may reference IAAB certification in catalog descriptions, auction listings, marketing materials, or collection documentation only when:
• Certification is valid and corresponds to the referenced item
• Certification language is reproduced accurately
• Certification conclusions are not misrepresented or selectively quoted
Partners may not imply IAAB endorsement of:
• Estimated values
• Auction results
• Sales performance
• Collection prestige
IAAB reserves the right to request correction or removal of misleading certification references.
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8. BRAND USAGE AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Partners may reference IAAB as an authentication provider only with prior written authorization.
Unauthorized use of IAAB name, logo, certification format, or branding is prohibited.
IAAB reserves the right to revoke brand usage authorization at its discretion.
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9. LIABILITY AND RISK ALLOCATION
IAAB provides professional expert opinions and documentation based on recognized methodologies.
IAAB does not guarantee:
• Commercial success or auction results
• Market value stability
• Insurance acceptance
• Judicial admissibility of certification
Partners acknowledge that authentication services represent professional expert opinion and agree that IAAB shall not be liable for commercial or transactional outcomes related to authentication results.
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10. AUTHENTICATION SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS
IAAB certification applies only to materials examined during the authentication process.
Partners are responsible for:
• Maintaining association between certified documentation and authenticated items
• Ensuring certified materials remain unaltered following authentication
• Preserving provenance documentation
IAAB certification does not extend to reproductions, copies, or derivative items.
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11. CHAIN OF CUSTODY AND MATERIAL HANDLING
IAAB does not assume responsibility for maintaining chain of custody for items submitted through partners unless expressly agreed in writing.
Partners are responsible for documenting storage, transportation, and handling of submitted materials.
IAAB experts are responsible for professional handling of materials once received for examination.
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12. PROVENANCE AND DUE DILIGENCE SUPPORT
IAAB authentication may be used as part of broader due diligence procedures conducted by partners.
IAAB does not guarantee completeness of provenance records or ownership history verification unless explicitly included in the service scope.
Partners remain responsible for independent provenance verification.
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13. FRAUD PREVENTION AND COMPLIANCE COOPERATION
IAAB reserves the right to refuse authentication services if submitted materials are suspected to be:
• Stolen property
• Illicitly traded cultural property
• Fraudulent or manipulated items
• Associated with ongoing legal investigations
IAAB may cooperate with regulatory or law enforcement authorities where legally required.
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14. INSURANCE AND RISK MANAGEMENT
Partners remain responsible for insuring materials during shipment, storage, and handling prior to and following IAAB examination unless otherwise agreed in writing.
IAAB is not responsible for loss, theft, or damage occurring during transportation managed by partners or third-party carriers.
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15. DISPUTE HANDLING AND RE-EXAMINATION REQUESTS
Partners may request re-examination of previously authenticated materials subject to:
• Availability of additional evidence or reference material
• Payment of applicable service fees
• IAAB acceptance of re-examination request
IAAB does not guarantee revision of prior conclusions following re-examination.
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16. TERMINATION OF PARTNERSHIP
IAAB reserves the right to suspend or terminate partnership relationships where:
• Partners misrepresent authentication results
• Partners misuse IAAB certification or branding
• Partners engage in unethical or unlawful commercial practices
• Partnership continuation may compromise IAAB professional reputation
Termination may occur with or without prior notice depending on circumstances.
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17. PROFESSIONAL COLLABORATION AND EDUCATION
IAAB may offer educational support, authentication training seminars, or consultation services to institutional partners to promote authentication awareness and best practices.
Participation in educational programs does not influence authentication outcomes or expert independence.
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18. POLICY MODIFICATIONS
IAAB reserves the right to modify this Partnership Policy at any time. Updated versions become effective upon publication on the IAAB website or upon written notice to partners.
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19. GOVERNING LAW
This Partnership Policy shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario, Canada.
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20. CONTACT INFORMATION
International Autograph Authentication Board (IAAB)
Email: authentication@iaaboard.com