Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Dot gov

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

HTTPS

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock (LockA locked padlock) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

  • About HHS
  • Programs & Services
  • Grants & Contracts
  • Laws & Regulations
  • Radical Transparency
  • Big Wins
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. Digital Communications
  3. Policies & Standards
  4. Web Policies
  5. Use of HHS Logo, Seal and Symbol by Private Sector Partners
  • Digital Communications
  • Services & Resources
  • Building & Managing Websites
    • New & Redesigned Websites
    • Content Syndication
  • Social Media
    • Getting Started
    • Policies
    • Resources
  • Governance
    • Digital Strategy
    • 21st Century IDEA
    • Members
  • Developers' Center
  • Digital Accessibility
    • HHS Accessibility & Section 508 Policy
    • Conformance Checklists
    • Acquisition Requirements
    • Digital Accessibility Resources
    • Digital Accessibility FAQs
    • Digital Accessibility Terms
    • OS Digital Accessibility Program
      • Technical Resources
      • Services
        • Conformance Review Guidelines
        • Conformance Acceptance Criteria
        • Conformance Methods & Baseline
      • Acquisition Resources
        • Acquisition Faqs
  • Policies & Standards
    • HHS Web Policies
  • About ASPA Digital

Use of HHS Logo, Seal and Symbol by Private Sector Partners, Contractors, Grantees, and Vendors

Topics on this page: General Information | Use on Proposals or Consulting Deliverables | Publications Developed by Contractors | Private Sector or Contractor Logos on Government Publications


General Information

"Seals and devices of the Federal Government, Departments, Bureaus, and Independent Agencies are not in the public domain, and cannot be used for other than official business without specific authorization of the agency involved." [Joint Committee on Printing, United States Congress; emphasis added]

The HHS Seal and Logo are for the official use of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and not for the use of the private sector on its materials.  To the public, such use would send a message that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services favors or endorses an organization, its activities, its products, its services, and/or its personnel (either overtly or tacitly) which it does not and cannot do.

Whether the private sector partner/grantee/vendor/contractor is non-profit or commercial is not a factor.  Regardless of how funded, non-HHS communication products are for the principle benefit and use of the partner/grantee/vendor/contractor and not for the principle benefit or use of the Government. Non-HHS communication products are not construed to be Government communication products.
 


Use on Proposals or Consulting Deliverables

Contractors may not use the HHS logo, seal, or symbol on proposals or consulting deliverables.

 


Publications Developed by Contractors

If a contractor deliverable is camera-ready or other reproducible copy, for the express purpose of being an HHS publication for HHS distribution to the public; then, and only then, may the contractor affix the HHS logo, under the direction and guidance of the HHS project officer and as approved by the Office of the Secretary, Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs.

 


Private Sector or Contractor Logos on Government Publications

HHS components may not use private sector or contractor logos on Government publications or other Government communication products. Such use is prohibited. Whether or not the private sector organization is non-profit or commercial is not a factor.

Private sector logos constitute institutional advertising. Using a private sector logo on a Government communication product (regardless of intent) implies that the Government favors or endorses all that which the logo represents.

Section 13 of the Government Printing and Binding Regulations, published by the Joint Committee on Printing, United States Congress, makes clear:

"No Government publication or other Government printed matter, prepared or produced with either appropriated or non-appropriated funds or identified with an activity of the Government, shall contain any advertisement inserted by or for any private individual, firm, or corporation; or contain material which implies in any manner that the Government endorses or favors any specific commercial product, commodity, or service."

Content created by Digital Communications Division (DCD)
Content last reviewed June 30, 2015
Back to top

Subscribe to Email Updates

Receive the latest updates from the Secretary and Press Releases.

Subscribe
  • Contact HHS
  • Careers
  • HHS FAQs
  • Nondiscrimination Notice
  • Press Room
  • HHS Archive
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Budget/Performance
  • Inspector General
  • Web Site Disclaimers
  • EEO/No Fear Act
  • FOIA
  • The White House
  • USA.gov
  • Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
HHS Logo

HHS Headquarters

200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20201
Toll Free Call Center: 1-877-696-6775​

Follow HHS

Follow Secretary Kennedy