Product Authenticity Policy
How Kulvaibhav approaches authenticity, craftsmanship, origin and truthful representation across India’s handmade and handloom marketplace.
- 01. Introduction
- 02. Important Buyer Notice
- 03. About Product Authenticity at Kulvaibhav
- 04. What We Mean by Authenticity
- 05. Handmade & Artisan-Made Products
- 06. Handloom Product Authenticity
- 07. Traditional Crafts & Cultural Products
- 08. Seller & Artisan Verification
- 09. Product Information & Descriptions
- 10. Materials, Techniques & Craftsmanship
- 11. Handloom Marks, Labels & Certification
- 12. Geographical Indications (GI) Products
- 13. Artisan Identity & Attribution
- 14. Authenticity Documentation
- 15. Variations in Handmade Products
- 16. Natural Materials & Natural Variations
- 17. Product Photographs & Screen Differences
- 18. What Is Not Considered a Defect in Authenticity
- 19. What May Constitute an Authenticity Concern
- 20. Reporting a Suspected Authenticity Issue
- 21. Authenticity Investigation & Verification
- 22. Resolution for Confirmed Authenticity Issues
- 23. Seller Responsibility for Authenticity
- 24. Counterfeit, Misrepresentation & Fraud
- 25. Buyer Responsibilities
- 26. Changes to This Authenticity Policy
- 27. Contact & Grievance Redressal
Authenticity means truthful material representation
Kulvaibhav is a marketplace featuring handmade, handloom, artisan-made, traditional, cultural and other products supplied by participating sellers and artisans.
Not every traditional or handmade product will have a formal certificate, government-issued document or third-party authenticity certificate. The absence of a certificate does not automatically mean a product is inauthentic.
Introduction
This Product Authenticity Policy explains how Kulvaibhav approaches authenticity, product representation and authenticity-related concerns across its marketplace.
Important Buyer Notice
Kulvaibhav is a marketplace featuring handmade, handloom, artisan-made, traditional, cultural and other products supplied by participating sellers and artisans. Not every traditional or handmade product will have a formal certificate, government-issued document or third-party authenticity certificate. The absence of a certificate does not automatically mean a product is inauthentic.
About Product Authenticity at Kulvaibhav
Kulvaibhav aims to support genuine representation of India’s handcrafted and artisan heritage. Our authenticity approach focuses on truthful representation of the maker, origin, materials, production method, traditional technique, certification and other material characteristics.
What We Mean by Authenticity
Product authenticity generally means that the product is represented honestly and is materially consistent with the claims made about it, including maker, material, craft, origin, certification and nature of production.
Handmade & Artisan-Made Products
An artisan-made product may involve hand stitching, hand embroidery, hand weaving, hand printing, hand carving, hand painting, hand finishing, traditional dyeing, manual assembly or combinations of traditional and modern processes.
Handloom Product Authenticity
For products represented as handloom, authenticity may relate to the method by which the textile or product was woven or produced. A handloom representation should not be used where the product is materially produced through a different manufacturing process.
Traditional Crafts & Cultural Products
Products may be associated with regional crafts, traditional Indian art, folk crafts, heritage techniques, cultural practices and decorative arts. Modern materials or processes should be described accurately where they materially affect the nature of the product.
Seller & Artisan Verification
Kulvaibhav may use seller or artisan declarations, business information, product photographs, descriptions, samples, invoices or procurement records where appropriate, craft documentation, certification information, supplier information, geographical information or other relevant documentation. Not every product is physically inspected before listing unless expressly stated.
Product Information & Descriptions
Sellers and artisans are responsible for accurate information on product name, material, dimensions, origin, craft type, production method, artisan information, certification and other material characteristics. Materially false or misleading authenticity claims are not permitted.
Materials, Techniques & Craftsmanship
Where materials or techniques are important to a product’s identity, they should be accurately described, including handloom cotton, silk, wool, linen, hand embroidery, chikankari, block printing, hand painting, wood carving, metal craft, pottery and weaving.
Handloom Marks, Labels & Certification
Some products may carry labels, marks, certificates, seller documentation, artisan documentation, industry certifications or other identifiers. Where a product is represented as carrying a specific official certification or mark, the seller is responsible for ensuring the claim is accurate and supportable.
Geographical Indications (GI) Products
Some Indian crafts and products may be associated with a Geographical Indication (GI). A GI reference should not be used merely because a product resembles a regional craft. Where a seller makes a GI claim, the representation should comply with applicable legal requirements.
Artisan Identity & Attribution
Where a product identifies an artisan, weaving community, cooperative, studio or craft group, the information should be accurate. A seller should not falsely attribute another person’s work or a product manufactured elsewhere to a particular artisan.
Authenticity Documentation
Documentation may include artisan information, seller declarations, invoices, procurement records, certification, GI-related documentation, product photographs, manufacturing information, craft documentation, cooperative information or other supporting records. Not every product will have every type of document.
Variations in Handmade Products
Handmade and handloom products are not always identical. Natural variation may occur because of manual weaving, hand embroidery, hand dyeing, handcrafted finishing, artisan interpretation, natural materials, traditional tools and batch production. Such variation does not automatically mean that the product is inauthentic.
Natural Materials & Natural Variations
Natural fibres or materials may exhibit slubs, grain variation, minor texture variation, natural marks, shade variation and other inherent characteristics. These should not automatically be treated as evidence of a counterfeit or unauthentic product, while the material description should remain accurate.
Product Photographs & Screen Differences
Product photographs may differ slightly because of lighting, camera settings, screen brightness, display calibration, photography conditions, editing and natural material variation. Minor visual differences do not automatically constitute an authenticity issue.
What Is Not Considered a Defect in Authenticity
Minor colour variation, minor weave irregularity, natural slubs, small thread irregularities, subtle embroidery or hand-finishing differences, minor dimensional variation and natural grain in wood, leather, stone or other materials do not automatically constitute an authenticity concern.
What May Constitute an Authenticity Concern
A concern may arise where there is credible evidence of a materially false handloom or handmade claim, incorrect material, false origin, false artisan attribution, inaccurate certification claim, misleading GI representation, counterfeit product or other material false authenticity representation.
Reporting a Suspected Authenticity Issue
Buyers should report suspected authenticity issues promptly and preferably provide order number, product name, seller information, description of the concern, photographs, packaging, labels or marks, certification information where relevant and supporting evidence.
Authenticity Investigation & Verification
Kulvaibhav may review the listing, seller information, buyer evidence, seller explanation, documentation, certification information, production details, comparable product information and other relevant evidence, and may request additional information from the seller or artisan.
Resolution for Confirmed Authenticity Issues
Where a material authenticity issue is confirmed, the resolution may include exchange, replacement, return and refund, listing correction, product removal, seller corrective action, listing suspension or another appropriate action depending on the circumstances and applicable law.
Seller Responsibility for Authenticity
Sellers and artisans are responsible for accurate representations of materials, production method, craft, origin, artisan attribution, certification, GI claims and other material authenticity information. Sellers must not knowingly provide counterfeit, falsely represented or materially misleading products.
Counterfeit, Misrepresentation & Fraud
Kulvaibhav does not permit intentional counterfeit products, forged certifications, false GI claims, false artisan identities, materially misrepresented materials, misleading production claims, fraudulent origin claims or other intentionally deceptive authenticity representations.
Buyer Responsibilities
Buyers should read product descriptions carefully, review material and craft information, review authenticity or certification information where provided, check seller information, understand handmade variation, retain relevant documentation, report genuine concerns promptly and provide truthful information.
Changes to This Authenticity Policy
Kulvaibhav may update this Policy because of new craft categories, new seller verification procedures, changes in certification practices, GI-related requirements, marketplace operations, applicable law or improvements to buyer protection.
Contact & Grievance Redressal
For authenticity concerns, contact Kulvaibhav. Email: support@kulvaibhav.com. Phone: +91 88302 36025. Operated by Marvello Origin Works Limited, Washim, Maharashtra, India.
Review authenticity information before purchase
Before purchasing, review the stated craft or production method, material, origin, artisan or maker information where provided, certification where applicable, GI status where specifically claimed and the disclosed natural-variation characteristics.
Report material discrepancies in authenticity, origin, material or production claims promptly so that Kulvaibhav can review the matter.