Suite · Methodology

Certification Evaluation Criteria

Certification Evaluation Criteria define the objective measures used to assess Certifier / certification-domain targets in a consistent, transparent, and repeatable manner.

Certification evaluation uses documented criteria under governed methodology. These criteria do not automatically apply to Attestor or other Suite institutions.

Scope Boundary

This is a certification-specific methodology surface. It governs certification evaluation, not universal Suite evaluation.

Certification Evaluation Criteria → Certifier / certification-domain methodology.
Attestor Rule-Constrained Evaluation → Attestor-owned governed evaluation.

CERTIFICATION EVALUATION ≠ ATTESTOR RULE-CONSTRAINED EVALUATION.
CERTIFICATION CRITERIA ≠ UNIVERSAL SUITE EVALUATION CRITERIA.
EVALUATION OUTCOME ≠ TRUST STATEMENT.

Accuracy

Determines whether submitted information correctly represents the certification target without factual error or misrepresentation.

Completeness

Evaluates whether all required information, evidence, and supporting documentation have been provided.

Authenticity

Assesses whether submitted evidence is genuine, verifiable, and originates from reliable sources.

Integrity

Determines whether records and evidence remain unaltered, internally consistent, and free from unauthorized modification.

Authority

Evaluates whether evidence originates from individuals or organizations with appropriate authority over the subject matter.

Timeliness

Considers whether evidence remains sufficiently current and relevant for the intended certification.

Consistency

Ensures evidence, documentation, and certification records do not conflict with one another or previous verified records.

Transparency

Evaluates whether the reasoning, evidence, and methodology supporting certification remain understandable and reviewable.

Reproducibility

Determines whether independent reviewers applying the same methodology would reasonably reach the same conclusion.

Risk

Assesses the potential impact of uncertainty, missing evidence, conflicting information, or unresolved issues on certification confidence.

Attestor Boundary

Attestor applies its own Rule-Constrained Evaluation to eligible governed inputs. Certification Evaluation Criteria do not become Attestor evaluation criteria merely because certification information is later referenced or consumed.

Certification Evaluation ≠ Rule-Constrained Evaluation.
Certification Evaluation Outcome ≠ Trust Statement.

Cross-Institution Boundary

Registry, Chronicle, Anchor, Beacon, Attestor, Navigator, or other institutions may interact with certification evaluation results according to their own authority, but downstream use does not imply criteria adoption.

REFERENCE ≠ CRITERIA ADOPTION.
DOWNSTREAM USE ≠ AUTHORITY TRANSFER.
CERTIFICATION EVALUATION ≠ UNIVERSAL EVALUATION.

Methodology Role

Certification Evaluation Criteria provide the objective framework used to assess certification targets. They may support scoring where scoring is explicitly adopted, certification logic, and later Certifier determinations.

Consistent certification evaluation requires consistent criteria.
Score ≠ Evaluation Outcome ≠ Certification Determination ≠ Trust Statement.