VIP-STF-005
Conformance & Certification Framework
1. Scope
This framework defines conformance levels and certification procedures for implementations of the VeriSeal Integrity Protocol.
2. Conformance Levels
Level 1 — Core Compliance
- Implements VIP-STD-001
Level 2 — Ledger Compliance
- Implements VIP-STD-001 + VIP-STD-002
Level 3 — Signature Compliance
- Implements VIP-STD-001 + VIP-STD-003
Level 4 — Anchored Integrity
- Implements VIP-STD-001 + VIP-STD-002 + VIP-STD-004
Level 5 — Full Institutional Profile
- Implements 001–004
- Undergoes independent audit
3. Certification Requirements
Certification MAY require:
- Deterministic test vectors
- Canonicalization verification
- Hash reproducibility checks
- Ledger chain validation
- Anchor validation proof
4. Audit Model
Certification bodies MUST verify:
- Canonicalization correctness
- Hash determinism
- Structural integrity
- Implementation consistency
Audit procedures MUST be reproducible.
5. Reference Test Suite
The standard SHOULD define:
- Canonical JSON test cases
- Hash validation fixtures
- Chain validation datasets
- Signature verification scenarios
6. Governance
Certification governance MAY be:
- Centralized
- Federated
- Multi-institutional
The protocol does not mandate governance structure.
7. Standard Evolution
Future versions MUST:
- Preserve backward verification compatibility
- Maintain deterministic properties
- Provide migration guidance
8. Conclusion
VIP-STF-005 defines the pathway from technical specification to institutional-grade certification.