CoreTrustSeal Certification: What Is It? Why Get It? Why Look For It?
- Darina Dragouleva
- Feb 9
- 3 min read
In recent years, research has become more global, collaborative and data-driven. Making sure that data is accessible, secure and preserved long-term is now a necessity. For researchers and institutions, reliable data matters for transparency, compliance and promoting open science. This is where CoreTrustSeal Certification comes in, and platforms like myLaminin are essential for successful adoption.
What Is It?
CoreTrustSeal is an international organization that offers a core-level certification based on 16 Core Trustworthy Data repository requirements. The goal of this certification is to ensure transparency and sustainability within the scientific community by providing long-term access to research data.
Repositories must complete a self-assessment process to receive CoreTrustSeal Certification. This is then followed by a peer review from other certified repositories. The assessment looks at organizational policies, security, data and metadata practices, and stewardship strategies.
It is positioned as a core level certification, that is, it meets the minimum required level of quality and reliability to be considered a trustworthy digital repository. An organization must meet 16 core requirements that cover:
Organizational sustainability and governance
Data integrity and preservation
Access, reuse, and user support
Metadata quality and documentation
This certification established the essential best practices that an organization must follow while remaining accessible and achievable for a wide range of institutions. It is designed as the first step in an international framework for repository certification, including the extended level certification, Nestor Seal DIN 31644, and the formal level certification, ISO 16363.
Why Get It?
Builds trust with funders and users - Research funders increasingly require responsible data management and long-term accessibility of research outputs. The CoreTrustSeal certification indicates that an organization meets these standards. Researchers and institutions will deposit their data with more confidence. Overall, this promotes FAIR and open science within the scientific community.
Gain International Recognition - The CoreTrustSeal certification is recognized worldwide. Organizations with this certification are part of a growing global network of trusted repositories. They show a commitment to quality, transparency and sustainability.
Improve practices - Preparing for the CoreTrustSeal certification requires organizations to self-assess their strengths and policies. This often leads to improved operations, better documentation, clearer communication and a foundation for future growth.
Why Look For A CoreTrustSeal Certification
A certified repository assures researchers, institutions and data users about the long-term integrity and accessibility of datasets. With a CoreTrustSeal certification, individuals are guaranteed:
Reliable Preservation of Data - Certified repositories align with international standards for data preservation, storage and continuity
Improved Data Reuse - It is easier to find and reuse data with clear documentation, standardized metadata and robust policies
Regulatory Compliance - Assures that repositories aligns with regulatory expectations
How myLaminin Supports CoreTrustSeal Certification
myLaminin has undertaken the first step, self assessment and the platform is highly compliant and aligned with all components of the CoreTrustSeal certification.
The platform enables researchers and institutions to create secure, compliant, well-documented data that meets the trust, quality and governance standards certified repositories require. Specifically, myLaminin supports CoreTrustSeal’s core principles by offering:
Structured metadata capture to ensure data is standardized and repository-ready
Version control and audit trails that provide transparency
Compliance-ready workflows that support ethical approvals and regulatory requirements
Additionally, myLaminin supports FAIR Data Principles which CoreTrustSeal is strongly aligned with. This ensures data is discoverable, interoperable, reusable and accessible.
Conclusion
Overall, trust in digital infrastructure has become a priority. CoreTrustSeal Certification establishes a global baseline of trustworthiness, and myLaminin helps institutions and repositories meet certification readiness faster and more efficiently. Together, CoreTrustSeal and myLaminin allow for research data to be protected, discoverable, reusable and built for long-term impact.
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Darina Dragouleva (article author) is a myLaminin intern studying Health Sciences and Ivey AEO at Western University.
