The Data Seal of Approval Guidelines


  1. The data producer deposits the research data in a data repository with sufficient information for others to assess the scientific and scholarly quality of the research data and compliance with disciplinary and ethical norms.
  2. The data producer provides the research data in formats recommended by the data repository
  3. The data producer provides the research data together with the metadata requested by the data repository
  4. The data repository has an explicit mission in the area of digital archiving and promulgates it
  5. The data repository uses due diligence to ensure compliance with legal regulations and contracts including, when applicable, regulations governing the protection of human subjects.
  6. The data repository applies documented processes and procedures for managing data storage
  7. The data repository has a plan for long-term preservation of its digital assets
  8. Archiving takes place according to explicit workflows across the data life cycle
  9. The data repository assumes responsibility from the data producers for access and availability of the digital objects
  10. The data repository enables the users to utilize the research data and refer to them
  11. The data repository ensures the integrity of the digital objects and the metadata
  12. The data repository ensures the authenticity of the digital objects and the metadata
  13. The technical infrastructure explicitly supports the tasks and functions described in internationally accepted archival standards like OAIS
  14. The data consumer complies with access regulations set by the data repository
  15. The data consumer conforms to and agrees with any codes of conduct that are generally accepted in higher education and research for the exchange and proper use of knowledge and information
  16. The data consumer respects the applicable licenses of the data repository regarding the use of the research data