As an official framer for BPI awards, we are required to work within established criteria when producing certified awards.

The BPI rules for eligibility are as follows:

When the recording in question has reached the appropriate levels of sales, applicants for BPI certified awards are required to send a letter of confirmation to the BPI signed by a Chartered Accountant/ Chief Executive/Managing Director employed by the applicant company. All applications should be addressed to Rob Crutchley and reach BPI by 12 noon on Friday for publication the following week;

Applicants must be full members of the BPI;

Sales of all formats can be added together in order to qualify for certification including permanent download sales as measured by The Official UK Charts Company;

Only Sales to the home trade qualify. Sales for export do not qualify;

One 'Unit' is, for the purpose of these awards, considered to be one package however many discs or cassettes are included;

Those eligible for BPI presentation awards include the record company, label, artist, producer and anyone the BPI member company regards as integral to the recording in question;

Qualifying levels:

Singles

Silver 200,000 units

Gold 400,000 units

Platinum 600,000 units

Double platinum 1,200,000 units

Full/Mid-Price Albums

Silver 60,000 units

Gold 100,000 units

Platinum 300,000 units

Multi Platinum Multiples of 300,000 units

If an album is only ever released at budget price, the following levels of qualification should apply:

Budget Albums

Silver 120,000 units

Gold 200,000 units

Platinum 600,000 units

Current dealer price definitions are as follows:

Budget £0.50 - 4.24

Mid-price £4.25 - 5.99

Full price £6.00 or over

There is now a separate awards scheme for Music DVD Releases

They should be eligible for the Official UK Music Video Charts as administered by the Official UK Charts Company. The application process is as for albums and singles and the certification levels are:

Music DVD

Gold 25,000 units

Platinum 50,000 units

All awards (Singles,Albums and Music DVDs) must feature the BPI-approved logo;

Only an authorised framing company is permitted to manufacture awards using the BPI logo.