2025 Changhua Cultural & Creative Product Certification

Application Guidelines**

I. Purpose

In recent years, industries across various sectors have increasingly emphasized brand development through design, aesthetic packaging, experiential services, self-created brands, online marketing, storytelling, and value communication. Changhua County not only possesses a rich cultural heritage and history, but also features distinctive traditional crafts and seasonal festivals, providing fertile ground for the development of cultural and creative industries.

Through the Changhua Cultural & Creative Product Certification, this program aims to strengthen the connection between local culture and commercial development, enhance the value and competitiveness of Changhua cultural and creative brands, and further shape Changhua’s city brand image.

II. Organizing Bodies

• Organizer: Changhua County Government (hereinafter referred to as “the County Government”)

• Co-organizer: Changhua County Cultural Affairs Bureau (hereinafter referred to as “the Bureau”)

• Implementing Agency: National Yunlin University of Science and Technology

III. Eligibility

1. Application Requirements

Companies, businesses, legal entities, organizations, or individual studios legally registered in Changhua County that have obtained the required permits for market sales and are engaged in small-scale or mass production of cultural and creative products are eligible to apply.

2. Product Scope

Products must be officially launched, reproducible, or equipped with basic packaging, and presented as complete products ready for direct sale. To expand the output value and market visibility of Changhua’s cultural and creative products, applicants must demonstrate a certain level of mass production capability.

3. Application Categories

(1) Cultural & Creative Product Category

Products with collectible or practical value, including cultural crafts, design works, artistic creations, creative daily-use items that incorporate local culture and lifestyle aesthetics, or innovative products derived from industrial transformation. Products should offer in-depth experiences and refined aesthetic quality.

(2) Visual and Packaging Design Category

1. Focuses on brand identity design, graphic visual design, and commercial packaging design. Commercial packaging includes food, daily necessities, and souvenir products.

2. Commercial packaging design submissions must include relevant certifications for contents, such as nutrition labels, SGS certification, CAS certification, or other applicable certifications. Ingredient testing of contents shall follow relevant regulations and is not within the scope of this certification review.

3. Primarily targets designer brands and creative lifestyle products.

IV. Application Process

The application process consists of two stages.

• Stage One: Online application (no limit on the number of submissions)

• Stage Two: Physical submission for shortlisted applicants, requiring one complete physical product

1. Online Application

1. Procedure:
   Applicants must complete the online application form within the designated period and upload contact information, application form, product information sheet, declaration and authorization form, personal data consent form, product photos, and any other supplementary documents (if applicable). Upon receipt, the organizer will confirm successful application via email. Applicants must ensure accurate contact information and provide clear images or photographs.

2. Each applicant may submit an unlimited number of entries. One application form is required per product.
   Products with similar design styles may be submitted as a series, requiring only one application form.

3. Image Requirements:
   Product images must have a resolution of at least 300 DPI.

4. If application materials are incomplete, applicants must submit missing items within three (3) days after notification. Failure to do so will result in forfeiture of application eligibility.

5. Application Period:
   From now until 11:59 PM, January 24, 2025

2. Physical Submission

1. Procedure:
   Shortlisted applicants must submit one complete physical product (or one set for series products) via registered mail or in person to the Changhua Cultural & Creative Product Certification Committee. Packages must be labeled with Appendix 1 for identification. Submissions will be determined by postmark date; late submissions will be disqualified.
   (In-person delivery during office hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00–12:00 / 13:00–17:00, to the 8th Floor, No. 3, Guashan Rd., Changhua City.)

2. Physical Requirements:
   Products must be complete and ready for direct sale (fresh agricultural or fishery products are not suitable). For food products, only external packaging (e.g., sealed bags, boxes, or carry bags) is required; contents are not included.

3. The organizer assumes no responsibility for loss or damage occurring during shipment, including structural or packaging damage.

4. Submission Deadline:
   From the date of preliminary results announcement until 5:00 PM, February 27, 2025

V. Preliminary and Final Review Criteria

The certification process consists of two review stages.

• Preliminary Review: Document review of submitted materials

• Final Review: Physical product evaluation for shortlisted applicants

If the physical product submitted differs from the product information provided in the preliminary review, the entry will not be evaluated.

1. Preliminary Review

Conducted through document review by a review committee composed of professionals and representatives from relevant agencies. Evaluation focuses on completeness, richness of content, and product images. Shortlisted applicants will be notified via official letter and email, and results will be announced on the County Government and Bureau websites, as well as the event’s Facebook fan page.

2. Final Review

Physical evaluation conducted by a review committee composed of professionals and agency representatives. Evaluation criteria include visual aesthetics, cultural elements, creativity, and development potential. Products scoring 80 points or above will be certified. A total of 10–15 products will be selected, depending on the number of submissions and review results, and awarded the Changhua Cultural & Creative Product Certification Mark and Certificate.

VI. Evaluation Criteria

(1) Cultural & Creative Product Category

(2) Visual and Packaging Design Category

VII. Schedule

All dates are tentative and subject to adjustment based on actual circumstances.

VIII. Certification Benefits and Promotion

Certified products will receive priority participation in County Government marketing and promotional activities, including:

1. Priority participation in exhibitions and sales events

2. Priority invitation to domestic and international exhibitions

3. Promotion via “Reimagine Changhua – Creative Navigation” Facebook and Instagram

4. Listing on the Changhua cultural and creative website

5. Recommendation to e-commerce platforms and physical retail channels

6. Priority guidance for applying to the Changhua County Local Industry Innovation R&D Program (Local SBIR)

IX. Certification Mark Usage Regulations

1. Any false information or infringement of intellectual property rights will result in revocation of certification.

2. The certification mark and certificate may not be transferred, rented, sold, or misused.

3. The mark may only be used on certified products or packaging.

4. Unauthorized use will be handled according to relevant laws.

5. Product labeling must comply with relevant regulations and include seller/manufacturer information.

6. Certification does not guarantee intellectual property rights or designer qualifications.

7. The County Government bears no liability for losses arising from use of the certification mark.

X. Contact Information

• Mr. Tsai, National Yunlin University of Science and Technology
  Email: changhuacd@gmail.com

• Mr. Lee, Arts Promotion Division, Changhua County Cultural Affairs Bureau
  Tel: +886-4-725-0057 ext. 1854
  Email: prliyiyu@mail.bocach.gov.tw

XI. Additional Notes

Changhua County Cultural Affairs Bureau Website (opens in a new window)
Changhua County Cultural Affairs Bureau Facebook Page (opens in a new window)
Event Facebook Page: “Reimagine Changhua – Creative Navigation” (opens in a new window)
Event Instagram: “changhuaway” (opens in a new window)