What is an official or authorised badge!

[didithevan]

So, a daily conundrum for you all. What consititutes an official badge?

1. One that is issued from depot stock through official chains to the unit QMs.
2. One that was sold by the unit PRI often locally commissioned, or bought from a supplier who's offering meets a requirement - authorised by the CO.
3. One that is manufactured on a commission basis by individuals in a unit who then wear it in uniform and authorised by the CO.

Difficult eh? I served in 17/21 and soldiers were advised to ditch the AA badges they wore at depot and buy WM from the PRI. Blackened bronze ones appeared in the late 80's for tactical wear (no part number) and officers, well we just bought our own and only wore the 'official' issued silver one in No1 Dress. So which are official as no one wore the issued one, and who is the actually authorised to authorise?