The six criteria
| Criterion | What reviewers consider | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Suitability for the stated need | Whether the product fits the intended people, task and setting | 20% |
| Evidence of benefit in use | How well relevant evidence supports the benefit claimed for the product | 25% |
| Usability and everyday burden | Whether people can complete important tasks, including setup and continued use, with reasonable effort | 20% |
| Clear information and informed choice | Instructions, warnings, interpretation of results and the information needed to choose and use the product | 15% |
| Accessibility and inclusion | The needs and abilities of intended users, with relevant exclusions clearly explained | 10% |
| Reliability and support | Consistency of performance, maintenance, updates, repair and access to support | 10% |
How ratings are used
Each criterion receives a rating from 0 to 5 in half-point increments. The rating reflects the quality and relevance of the support for the use described in the entry.
| Rating | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 0 | No material that permits assessment |
| 1 | Serious gaps or unsuitable support |
| 2 | Partial support with important weaknesses |
| 3 | Adequate support for a limited use |
| 4 | Strong, relevant support with limitations clearly addressed |
| 5 | Exceptionally complete and convincing support for the proposed use |
Half points describe a position between neighbouring ratings.
The award threshold
- At least 85 out of 100 overall.
- At least 4 out of 5 for suitability, benefit in use and usability.
- At least 3.5 out of 5 for information, accessibility and reliability.
- At least two of the three initial reviewers recommend recognition.
- No unresolved material concern about identity, authority, evidence integrity, safety or product information.
Independent judgement
Reviewers submit their assessments independently. A separate chair considers the evidence, resolves important differences and records the final rating and reason for each criterion. An additional specialist opinion is obtained when material disagreement or uncertainty remains.
What your feedback explains
Feedback identifies the assessed product, the relevant evidence and the reasons for the decision. A rating concerns the product and use submitted; it is not a ranking of every product in the market. Category pages explain the different material needed for different products.