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Certification

Directive No. 2019-07

The protocol for authenticating cultural property: five titles and twenty-four articles that set the common method of certification.

Updated : October 28, 2026· 3 min read

Pages in this section

Letter Box, Ogata Kōrin (1700s)TextThe five titles and twenty-four articles of Directive No. 2019-07, presented in summary and by theme.› Seal of Doge Michele Steno (reverse) (1400–1409)Implementation notesThe notes published by the Secretariat to apply Directive No. 2019-07: States, professionals, experts and laboratories.› Leaf from a Lectionary with St. Luke (1057–1063)Frequently asked questionsAnswers to the most frequently asked questions on Directive No. 2019-07: scope, application, experts, appeals.›

The common rule of certification

Carved Lacquer Scroll Box (1736–95)
Carved Lacquer Scroll Box (1736–95)

Directive No. 2019-07 is the text that sets the method for authenticating cultural property in the 67 Member States. Adopted in 2019 together with the six other OIMAP Directives, it makes independent expert assessment, the reasoned opinion and the traceability of files mandatory.

It has five titles and twenty-four articles, from scope to appeals. It is supplemented by implementation notes that specify, for each article, how to apply it.

This section presents the text, its implementation notes and a set of frequently asked questions for States, professionals and experts.

  • 24 articles
  • 5 titles
  • 67 States
  • Mandatory

The directive in figures

2019year of adoption
5titles
24articles
67States concerned

Source: OIMAP Secretary-General's Office.

Three pages to understand it

The Calumny of Apelles, Giorgio Ghisi (1560)TextText

The five titles and twenty-four articles, in summary.

›Bifolium from a Bible: Initial E[t factum est] with Ezekiel (c. 1290)PracticeImplementation notes

How to apply each article: States, professionals, experts.

›The Judgment of Solomon and Esther before Ahasuerus (pair), Dirk Vellert (c. 1530)FAQFrequently asked questions

Answers to the most frequently asked questions.

›

Why a directive

Before 2019, each State applied its own rules of expert assessment: an opinion valid in Paris could be challenged in Singapore, a certificate accepted in Geneva refused in Nairobi. Buyers and sellers bore the cost of these divergences.

The directive establishes a common foundation: same principles, same method, same guarantees. It leaves States free to go further, but not to protect less.

Seal with Two Qilin Playing (1849)
Seal with Two Qilin Playing (1849)
Sketches in Belgium and Germany, Volume I: Hall of Justice of the Magistrates du Franc, Bruges, Louis Haghe (1840)
Sketches in Belgium and Germany, Volume I: Hall of Justice of the Magistrates du Franc, Bruges, Louis Haghe (1840)
Left side of a double-page album folio: Outside a Royal Encampment (recto) and Calligraphy, Persian Verses (verso), Bihzad (c. 1485)
Left side of a double-page album folio: Outside a Royal Encampment (recto) and Calligraphy, Persian Verses (verso), Bihzad (c. 1485)

Structure of the directive

Five titles, twenty-four articles
TitleSubjectArticles
ISubject and scope1 to 4
IIExamination and experts5 to 10
IIIScientific analyses11 to 14
IVOpinion, reasoning and retention of files15 to 20
VAppeals and final provisions21 to 24

From text to practice

  1. Adoption

    The 2019 General Assembly adopts the seven Directives.

  2. Transposition

    Each State incorporates the text into its national law.

  3. Implementation

    OIMAP publishes implementation notes.

  4. Check

    The Secretariat monitors transposition State by State.

  5. Review

    The text is reviewed every five years.

A binding text

Directive or recommendation

The Antechamber of the Palace of Justice, Paris, Charles Meryon (1855)

Directive

Binding
  • Transposition mandatory
  • Monitored by the Secretariat
  • Appeal to arbitration possible

The case of Directive No. 2019-07.

Fish or Seal Club (X’ús’) (late 1800s–early 1900s)

Recommendation

Non-binding
  • Good practice advised
  • No systematic check
  • Flexibility of application

The case of guides and notes.

Transposition by region (end of 2024)

Europe25 of 25
Americas12 of 14
Asia-Pacific11 of 13
Africa8 of 11
Middle East3 of 4

Source: Secretary-General's Office (indicative).

History of the directive

  1. Working group

    Drafting by an expert committee.

  2. Consultation

    Opinions of States and professionals.

  3. Adoption

    Vote of the General Assembly.

  4. Transposition

    Two-year period elapsed.

  5. Partial revision

    Addition of the notes on digital matters.

Document Box (Ryōshibako) with Chrysanthemum and Plum (lid) (late 1800s-early 1900s)
Document Box (Ryōshibako) with Chrysanthemum and Plum (lid) (late 1800s-early 1900s)
A Manuscript of Five Sections of a Qur'an (18th century)
A Manuscript of Five Sections of a Qur'an (18th century)
Carnet (1863–1865)
Carnet (1863–1865)

Case study: a State that transposes

A reform in eighteen months

Situation

A Member State incorporates the directive into its heritage code.

Actions
  1. Creation of a national register of experts.
  2. Alignment of the appeal period on thirty days.
  3. Mutual recognition of OIMAP certificates.
Outcome

The State is declared compliant by the Secretariat.

A founding principle

Teapot with Landscape and Imperial Poem, Chen Hanwen (1762–95)
« A common rule does not remove differences: it makes them predictable. »
Secretary-General's Office, OIMAP

Vocabulary of the directive

Transposition
Incorporation of an international text into national law.
Directive
Binding text that sets objectives for States.
Reasoned opinion
Expert opinion accompanied by its grounds.
Mutual recognition
Acceptance by each State of the acts of the others.

Frequently asked questions

Does the directive apply to individuals?

It binds States; its practical effects apply to the experts, laboratories and professionals who certify.

Can the directive be relied on before a judge?

Yes, when it has been transposed or when national law refers to it.

Where can I read the text?

On the Text page.

Who interprets the directive?

The Secretariat, through implementation notes, and ultimately the Arbitral Tribunal.

Useful documents

Contacts

Roman Ruins, Villa Pamfili, Hubert Robert (1774)
Roman Ruins, Villa Pamfili, Hubert Robert (1774)
Certification DepartmentParis — Headquarters+33 1 00 00 00 00certification@oimap.exampleMonday to Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Read the text

Illuminated Opening Page Titled Laila and Majnun from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Nizami of Ganja, Ja'far Baisunghuri (835 AH/1431–32 CE)

Discover the five titles of the directive.

See the text
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