Observe · Regulate · Protect — since 2007. 19th OIMAP General Assembly: Singapore, 10–12 June 2026. Programme
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How to use the site search engine: keywords, phrases, section filters and tips for refining results.

Updated : October 28, 2026· 3 min read

Finding a word across the whole site

Portrait of John VIII Palaoelogus, Emperor of Constantinople, 1424-1428 (reverse), Pisanello (c. 1438–1439)
Portrait of John VIII Palaoelogus, Emperor of Constantinople, 1424-1428 (reverse), Pisanello (c. 1438–1439)

The search engine explores all public pages of the site, in the interface language. It accepts single words, phrases and reference numbers.

Use it alongside the site map and the sections when you know the term you are looking for but not the page that contains it.

  • Search
  • Keywords
  • Filters

Search in figures

3Search languages
9Filterable sections
10Results per page (indicative)
2 charactersMinimum to start a search

Source: OIMAP General Secretariat.

Breakdown

KeywordsSimple terms
Exact phrasesIn quotation marks
ReferencesOIMAP numbers, directives

Most frequent types of query (indicative).

Formulating your query

Enter one or more words in the search box. The engine ignores accents and case: "certification" and "Certification" give the same results. It also recognises plural and feminine forms.

To search for an exact phrase, place it in quotation marks, for example "directive 2019-07". To exclude a word, precede it with a minus sign.

Small Mosque in the Kaiserbagh, Felice A. Beato (1858)
Small Mosque in the Kaiserbagh, Felice A. Beato (1858)
Lace Towel End (c. 1700s–1800s)
Lace Towel End (c. 1700s–1800s)
The Pyramid of Cestius, Rome, Michiel van Overbeek (c. 1650–80)
The Pyramid of Cestius, Rome, Michiel van Overbeek (c. 1650–80)

Results

Results show the page title, an excerpt highlighting the words found, and the section path. They are ranked by relevance: a word in the title carries more weight than a word in the body text.

You can sort by update date when looking for recent information, for example the latest annual report or the next session of the General Assembly.

Filters

A section filter restricts the search to one area: Regulation, Certification, Member States, About… A content-type filter lets you keep only downloadable documents, FAQs or presentation pages.

Filters can be combined. If the number of results is too high, add a term or enable a filter; if there are none, remove a filter or try a synonym.

Searching for a reference

The engine recognises the format of OIMAP numbers, such as OIMAP-2026-004281. By entering this number, you reach the information page for the work or certificate if it is public. Detailed files remain reserved for their holder.

It also recognises references to texts, such as Directive No. 2019-07 on the authentication of cultural property, the 1970 UNESCO Convention or the 1995 UNIDROIT Convention.

Search syntax

Recognised operators
SyntaxEffectExample
Several wordsPages containing all the wordscertificate provenance
Quotation marksExact phrase"annual report"
Minus signExcludes a termaudit -internal
OIMAP numberDirect accessOIMAP-2026-004281

Milestones

  1. Simple search

    First version in the three languages (indicative).

  2. Filters

    Addition of filters by section (indicative).

  3. References

    Recognition of OIMAP numbers (indicative).

  4. Current version

    Multilingual search.

No results

The Victory Banquet: from Battle Scenes of the Quelling of Rebellions in the Western Regions, with Imperial Poems (c. 1765–74; poem dated 1760)
The Victory Banquet: from Battle Scenes of the Quelling of Rebellions in the Western Regions, with Imperial Poems (c. 1765–74; poem dated 1760)
Egypt and Nubia, Volume I: The Great Temple of Aboo-Simble, Nubia, Louis Haghe (1846)
Egypt and Nubia, Volume I: The Great Temple of Aboo-Simble, Nubia, Louis Haghe (1846)
Bidri Hookah Bowl with Roses (c. 1650s)
Bidri Hookah Bowl with Roses (c. 1650s)

Broad or precise

Pair of Drawings: Sketch of the Labyrinth of the Villa Pisani  and Piazza San Marco with Doges' Palace, Francesco Guardi (1773–1778(?))

Broad search

One keyword
  • Many results
  • Useful for exploring
  • To be refined with filters

For discovering.

Coronation of the Virgin, Christoffel Jegher (1632–36)

Precise search

An exact phrase
  • Few results
  • Useful for checking
  • In quotation marks

For finding again.

Searching effectively

  1. Refer

    A keyword.

  2. Browse

    The results.

  3. Filter

    By section.

  4. Refine

    With an exact phrase.

  5. Open

    The relevant page.

Vocabulary

Query
Word or phrase entered to search.
Filter
Criterion that restricts the results.
Relevance
Closeness between the query and the page.
Exact phrase
Sequence of words searched exactly as entered.

Search confidentiality

Queries entered are not linked to an identity. They are used, in aggregated and anonymised form, to identify the most searched terms and to improve content. For more details, see the cookies page.

Pages reserved for the member area appear in results only once logged in, and only for authorised persons.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the search take accents into account?

No, it ignores them.

Can I search in another language?

Change the interface language.

Are PDF documents indexed?

Their title and description are.

What should I do if there are no results?

See the site map.

Useful Documents

Contacts

Egypt and Nubia, Volume I: Pyramids of Geezeh, from the Nile, Louis Haghe (1846)
Egypt and Nubia, Volume I: Pyramids of Geezeh, from the Nile, Louis Haghe (1846)
General SecretariatParis — Headquarters+33 1 00 00 00 00secretariat@oimap.exampleMonday to Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Browse the sections

Saint Jerome and the Lion (From the former Church of St. Peter in Erfurt), Tilman Riemenschneider (c. 1495)

Another way to find information.

Sections
Image credits (17)
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