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VIP-CERT-006

Certification & Conformance Framework​

1. Purpose​

This document defines the certification and conformance model applicable to implementations of the VeriSeal Integrity Protocol (VIP).

It establishes:

  • Conformance levels

  • Certification tiers

  • Audit requirements

  • Governance principles

  • Label usage conditions

This framework ensures that the VeriSeal standard can operate as a globally interoperable and institutionally credible integrity infrastructure.

2. Scope​

VIP-CERT-006 applies to:

  • Software implementations of VIP-STD-001 to VIP-STD-004

  • Infrastructure deployments

  • Enterprise integrations

  • API-based proof services

  • Embedded systems using the VeriSeal integrity layer

It does not define legal admissibility requirements.

It defines structural and cryptographic conformity only.

3. Conformance Levels​

3.1 Level 1 — Core Conformance​

Requirements:

  • Full implementation of VIP-STD-001 (Deterministic Integrity Model)

  • SHA-256 (or stronger) hashing

  • Canonical proof structure

  • Deterministic verification procedure

  • No mutable post-seal state

No external anchoring required.

3.2 Level 2 — Ledger Conformance​

Includes Level 1 plus:

  • Append-only ledger structure (VIP-STD-002)

  • Deterministic entry hashing

  • Immutable historical record

  • Entry ordering integrity

3.3 Level 3 — Anchored Integrity​

Includes Level 2 plus:

  • External timestamp anchoring (VIP-STD-004)

  • Public verifiability of anchor

  • Independent verification path

3.4 Level 4 — Institutional Grade​

Includes Level 3 plus:

  • Operational security controls

  • Key management policy

  • Backup & redundancy architecture

  • Documented verification procedure

  • Threat model compliance (VIP-THREAT-001)

This level is required for institutional certification.

4. Certification Tiers​

Certification tiers represent verified compliance with conformance levels.

Tier A — Verified Core​

  • Conformance Level 1

  • Self-declared compliance

  • Verification procedure published

Tier B — Audited Conformance​

  • Conformance Level 2 or 3

  • Independent technical audit

  • Reproducibility test

Tier C — Institutional Certification​

  • Conformance Level 4

  • Independent third-party audit

  • Security controls assessment

  • Governance documentation review

5. Certification Process​

5.1 Application​

The implementer submits:

  • Technical documentation

  • Implementation details

  • Verification procedure

  • Hash reproducibility evidence

5.2 Technical Assessment​

Assessment includes:

  • Deterministic verification test

  • Integrity validation

  • Ledger immutability validation

  • Timestamp anchoring validation (if applicable)

5.3 Audit​

For Tier B and C:

  • Independent audit required

  • Audit must verify reproducibility

  • Audit report must be archived

5.4 Certification Issuance​

Upon validation:

  • Certification ID assigned

  • Conformance level recorded

  • Public certification registry updated

6. Certification Validity​

Certification validity period:

  • Tier A: 12 months

  • Tier B: 24 months

  • Tier C: 36 months

Renewal requires updated conformity review.

7. Label Usage​

Certified implementations may display:

  • "VIP Core Conformant"

  • "VIP Audited Conformance"

  • "VIP Institutional Grade"

Misuse of labels invalidates certification.

8. Public Registry​

The VeriSeal Certification Registry shall include:

  • Certification ID

  • Tier

  • Conformance level

  • Audit date

  • Expiration date

  • Certification authority

The registry must be publicly verifiable.

9. Independence Principle​

Certification authority must be structurally independent from:

  • Implementation vendors

  • Hosting providers

  • Anchoring providers

This prevents conflict of interest and preserves credibility.

10. Interoperability Principle​

Certification must not restrict:

  • Open implementation

  • Alternative infrastructure

  • Cross-border deployment

The standard remains implementation-neutral.

11. Relationship to Other Documents​

VIP-CERT-006 depends on:

  • VIP-STD-001

  • VIP-STD-002

  • VIP-STD-003

  • VIP-STD-004

  • VIP-STF-005

  • VIP-THREAT-001

12. Strategic Objective​

The purpose of this certification framework is to:

  • Enable structured global adoption

  • Provide institutional confidence

  • Avoid proprietary lock-in

  • Support international standardization pathways

VIP-CERT-006 enables the transition of VeriSeal from commercial engine to internationally recognized integrity standard.