Once Grana Padano has passed the tapping and pricking tests, expertisation checks are carried out by Consorzio per la Tutela del Formaggio Grana Padano, under the watchful eye of C.S.Q.A. srl staff. Only then is Grana Padano branded with a mark that guarantees its "healthy, fair and commercial" quality.

Only once it has passed these tough prerequisites are authorised dairies allowed to brand the cheese wheel with the "Grana Padano" mark in the presence of Consorzio per la Tutela del Formaggio Grana Padano and certification authority staff.
Without this mark, the cheese is not allowed to be designated or sold as Grana Padano. This mark must also appear on all packets of grated cheese or wedges so that consumers know they are purchasing genuine D.O.P. Grana Padano.

Any cheeses bearing the "Grana Padano" marks of origin which do not meet the prerequisite quality and commercial standards at the tapping stage have their diamonds and four-leaf clovers covered in order to prevent them being mistaken for the genuine article.