spinLife Freedom Foundation® 2020  Evaluation Guidelines"


  • Evaluation Guidelines
    Strict evaluation criteria creates greater branding value!

     

     

      Much like the evaluation process for the "Good Housekeeping Seal", with the spinLife Freedom - "Seal of Approval", all products submitted to us must go throught thorough evaluation by qualified industy professionals.




    EVALUATION GUIDELINES   |   GUIDELINES STRUCTURE   |   MISC

    LICENSING FEES    |   SHIPPING



    EVALUATION METHOD

    There are two evaluation methods used, that are unique unto themselves. This provides an in-depth evaluation of products submitted for our full review, and a more simple review process, with no submission fees of any kind; 100% independent with no inflection of bias.

    The first and primary method is our in-depth product evaluation.  With this evaluation, a product must undergo a considerable amount of study and validation in order to be considered for acceptance as a recipient of the spinLife Freedom™ Seal of Approval.

    All products are evaluated based upon strict guidelines established from years of evolving stucture They are highly detailed and have been carefully developed.
    Credentialed professionals from around the globe in a wide variety of fields, have either donated their time or been paid to help establish these guidelines and assist in regular updating of same.

    These guidelines are periodically updated to remain consistent with current trends of the industry regulations and consumer market. Each individual product evaluation / review is performed by a group of our staff members, in addition to independent credentialed professionals who are qualified in the same category as the product being tested.


    The evaluation report summaries / review results are derived from a combination of the scoring from the evaluation reports and the hands-on consumer feedback forms for all inductees.  The results are published in a four tab index card format to minimize the need for scrolling, our standard level offering.



    EVALUATION METHOD - BASIC REVIEW

    With our "Basic Review" method of evaluating products, we actually purchase the products for comparative review and no inflection of bias.

    The method is simple, yet substantial evaluation of a product still occurs, yet not as detailed as our more in-depth evaluations.  The products that meet our criteria to be featured, will be published either as part of a general product feature article or "Top 5" or "Top 10" products for a specific year.

    A special feature of the "Basic Review"
    is the "Popularity Score" which is established from consumer surveys. This provide a more unique perspective from multiple sources both in-house and independent in our product evaluation.

    The "Basic Review" is derived from a combination of the "Popularity Score",  combined with the scoring from each section in the the "Evaluation Guidelines" and the hands-on consumer feedback forms.  The results are published in a four tab index card format to minimize the need for scrolling, our standard level offering.



    OUR EVALUATION GUIDELINES STRUCTURE - SAMPLE


    A small sample of our guidelines structure which we use to evaluate and rate products submitted for evaluation is listed below. Please note that this is only a "sample" outline of our entire evaluation guidelines. To share the entire structure would take an immense amount of space. In addition, it's always wise to never show all your cards so to speak.

    Each section is evaluated on a 1 to 5 scale with the larger number being positive and the lower number being negative. We do not share our entire group of guidelines to maintain a unique proprietary evaluation procedure.



     
    Sec. #0305 - PRIMARY BEHAVIOR
     
    #0305 I/PB(a) Emotion
     
      What is the level of "emotionQuotient™"? - How appealing is the product for use by an individual?
     
    What is the level of "WOW!factor™"? - To what degree does the product stimulate a strong positive impulsive response?
     
    What is the level of innovation and creative style that makes the product special or unique from the functionality of it?
     
    What is the level of productive effect overall? - Does it cause a short or long term effect?
     
    What is the level of risk related to choking hazard?
     



     
    #0318 I/PB(b) Intellectual Thought
     
      What is the level of contribution to critical skill development?
     
    What is the level of contribution to acquisition of new learning / physical skills, practice, and information by using the product?
     
    What is the level of contribution to long-term retaining of new learning / physical skills, practice, and information by using the product?
     
    What is the level of productive effect overall? - Does it cause a short or long term effect?
     
    What is the level of fit for adaptation for "Special Needs" children? These children have different levels of development and adaptation with products.
     



     
    #0318 I/PB(c) Safety
     
      What is the level of contribution to an individual's safe, healthy physical development and / or use by using the product?
     
    What is the level of suitability with the product for use in home, medical, educational environment, or all three?
     
    What is the level of quality in packaging design, safety, and age / gender designation with the product?
     
    What is the level of unsafe materials percentage in the product - Has it been independent lab tested?
     
    What is the level of risk related to choking hazard?
     



     
    0318 I/PB(d) Social Responsibility / Ethics #
     
      What is the level of being appropriate for age level or gender specified on packaging for the product?
     
    What is the level of educational value and accuracy of meeting specified productive ends with the product??
     
    What is the level of environmental contribution and social responsibility by the product?
     

     

     
    #0318 I/PB(e) The Five Senses
     
      What is the level of simplicity of use of product?
     
    What is the level of accuracy / quality in auditory level if applicable?
     
    What is the level of accuracy / quality in visual appeal for the product?
     
    What is the level of contribution to an individual's healthy physical development with the product?
     
    What is the level of visual appeal for marketing value and sales for the product?
     

     

     

     
    Eligible Products


    The spinLife Freedom Foundation accepts all products that meet our standards for review. Prototypes are also eligible for submission, but they are only given recognition in an article.



    Product Re-submissions

    Products that are NOT approved for the spinLife Freedom - Seal of Approval are eligible to be re-submitted.  Upon re-submission the product, it must have the changes made which were specified in first submission denial for approval. There is no limit to the number of re-submissions.


    Number of Products Required

    We require a minimum of TWO sample products for evaluation.  The greater the level of samples provided, the faster our evaluation process.

    Our evaluation time depends upon how many samples are available for more evaluators to participate.

     

     Licensing Fees


    All products submitted for evaluation are analyzed and tested under our strict evaluation guidelines. There is NO FEE of any kind for any portion of the product evaluation and/or publishing of evaluation report summaries/articles on the spinLife Freedom Approved website.

    If a product is inducted, the product induction notification is published 24 hours before recipient is notified.  It is important to know that if the company submitting the product(s) desires to use the spinLife Freedom - Seal of Approval in any manner other than your company website, a "one-time" licensing fee will be required as outlined below:

    CORPORATE: $1100

    STARTUP/SMALL BUSINESS: $375 

    The licensing fee entitles the company to unlimited use of camera ready images for the spinLife Freedom - Seal of Approval if applicable. This applies to any awards assigned as well, but not the Certification Seals.  The licensing fees and usage are an option, NOT mandatory, but the licensing fees provide added benefits with an active license.


    ( The OPTIONAL licensing fee is in place in order to help create a greater "perceived value" of the Seal, awards and Certification Seals when used for promotional purposes outside of our website. )

     

     Shipping and Delivery


    spinLife Freedom Approved Product Guide upholds a policy of no acceptance of COD or postage due packages. If your package is considered to be oversized or overweight by the US Postal Service, Fed Ex, UPS, DHL, or Airborne Express, you will need to contact our office to specify how the products will be submitted.

    Please ship your products to the office specified on the product submission form.

    All products with their corresponding applications, press kits, etc. should be included.

    Evaluation and analysis is generally completed within 30 business days or less, following reception of product, pending on complexity of design.  Product evaluations can be expedited upon request and approval, prior to a major trade show


    PLEASE NOTE:
      To ensure 100% understanding of our product return policy, we are re-affirming it here. Results of product evaluations which fail to meet our guidelines will NOT be released, except to the manufacturer who submitted the product for review. We do NOT return any products which are submitted, unless arrangements have been made PRIOR to start of product evaluation. Products are generally donated with all appropriate manuals, etc. where it can generate productive branding recognition and functionality.




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