WDS and DSA Announce Unified Requirements for Core Certification of Trustworthy Data Repositories

The ICSU World Data System (WDS) and the Data Seal of Approval (DSA) Board are pleased to announce the availability of their unified Requirements for Core Trustworthy Data Repository certification. A unified catalogue of requirements was developed through a DSA–WDS partnership Working Group within the Research Data Alliance (RDA). The group built on inherent complementarity between the criteria previously established by the two organizations to harmonize unified and universal requirements reflecting the core characteristics of trustworthy data repositories.

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An Introduction to the Core Trustworthy Data Repositories Requirements

The goal of the effort was to create a set of harmonized common requirements for certification of repositories at the core level, drawing from criteria already put in place by the Data Seal of Approval (DSA) and the ICSU World Data System (ICSU-WDS). An additional goal of the project was to develop common procedures to be implemented by both DSA and ICSU-WDS. Ultimately, the DSA and ICSU-WDS plan to collaborate on a global framework for repository certification that moves from the core to the extended (nestor-Seal DIN 31644), to the formal (ISO 16363) level.

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Core Trustworthy Data Repositories Requirements


The Core Trustworthy Data Repositories Requirements are intended to reflect the characteristics of trustworthy repositories. As such, all Requirements are mandatory and are equally weighted, standalone items. Although some overlap is unavoidable, duplication of evidence sought among Requirements has been keep to a minimum where possible. The choices contained in checklists (e.g., repository type and curation level) are not considered to be comprehensive, and additional space is provided in all cases for the applicant to add ‘other’ (missing) options. This and any comments given may then be used to refine such lists in the future.

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