Malpractice and Maladministration
Purpose and scope
Grande Passione is a WSET Approved Programme Provider (APP no. 3119) and delivers its courses at Atelier del Vino in Verona.
This policy protects students and the integrity of WSET qualifications by explaining how suspected malpractice and maladministration are reported and handled. It applies to students, educators, collaborators and anyone acting on behalf of Grande Passione.
What are malpractice and maladministration?
Maladministration is a failure to follow procedures that is generally unintentional and results from mistakes, carelessness or inexperience.
Malpractice is a failure to follow procedures that is intentional or results from negligent or reckless behaviour without regard for its consequences.
Both may involve students or those delivering and administering courses and exams. WSET determines the nature of an incident after examining the facts. Repeated errors, failure to take corrective action or attempts to conceal information may make an incident more serious.
Examples
Examples include:
- Cheating or helping someone else to cheat during an exam.
- Using unauthorised devices, notes or materials.
- Providing false information, impersonating a candidate or forging signatures.
- Photographing, copying or sharing confidential exam materials without authorisation.
- Disrupting an exam.
- Failing to disclose a conflict of interest.
- Failing to follow procedures for candidate registration, exam security or communicating results.
- Using WSET certificates or logos fraudulently.
- Using artificial intelligence tools contrary to WSET requirements.
- Behaving in a threatening, abusive or violent manner.
This list is not exhaustive.
How to report a concern
Report suspected malpractice or maladministration promptly to:
JC Viens
contact@grandepassione.com
Where possible, include:
- The course or exam concerned.
- What happened, where and when.
- The people involved and any witnesses.
- Relevant documents or other evidence.
- Any action already taken.
If an incident occurs during an exam, inform the invigilator immediately.
If the concern involves JC Viens, or you believe it cannot be handled impartially by Grande Passione, contact WSET Governance at governance@wsetglobal.com.
How reports are handled
Grande Passione will notify WSET immediately of suspected malpractice or maladministration, preserve relevant records and cooperate with WSET Governance. Exam incidents will also be reported through the applicable WSET procedures.
WSET conducts or coordinates the investigation and may request documents, statements or interviews. Any checks undertaken by Grande Passione do not replace WSET’s investigation.
Those involved are expected to cooperate and provide complete and accurate information. Information will be shared only with those who need it to assess and address the matter.
Grande Passione will record incidents and any corrective or preventive action taken. WSET may withhold certification while an investigation is ongoing.
Possible consequences
Depending on the facts, seriousness and effects of an incident, WSET sanctions against a student may include:
- A written warning.
- Invalidation of an exam result, including withdrawal of a certificate already issued.
- Disqualification from the qualification concerned and other WSET qualifications for 12 months, including access to WSET materials.
- Disqualification from all WSET courses and exams, including access to WSET materials.
- Prohibition from using WSET certified logos or post-nominal letters.
WSET may also impose sanctions on an Approved Programme Provider.
Steps will be taken to protect students who were not involved. However, an investigation may still require results or certificates to be withheld or invalidated.
Challenging a sanction
A WSET malpractice sanction may be challenged through Step 2 — Formal Complaint of WSET’s complaints procedure. Contact:
Grande Passione can provide guidance on accessing the relevant procedure. This process is separate from an enquiry about an exam mark or an appeal against an exam result.
Responsibility and review
Policy owner: JC Viens, Grande Passione — WSET APP no. 3119
Version: 1.0 — September 2026
This policy is reviewed annually and whenever relevant WSET requirements or Grande Passione procedures change.