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Certification

Implementation notes

The notes published by the Secretariat to apply Directive No. 2019-07: States, professionals, experts and laboratories.

Updated : October 28, 2026· 3 min read

From rule to practice

Seal of Doge Michele Steno (reverse) (1400–1409)
Seal of Doge Michele Steno (reverse) (1400–1409)

A directive lays down principles; implementation notes explain how to apply them. They are published by the Secretary-General's Office, after consulting States and professionals, and updated as experience grows.

They create no new obligation, but they reflect the interpretation OIMAP gives to the text. Courts and the Arbitral Tribunal refer to them to assess the proper application of the directive.

This page presents the notes in force, classified by addressee.

  • States
  • Experts
  • Laboratories
  • Professionals

The notes in figures

12notes in force
4addressees
2021first series
2024last update

The notes by addressee

The twelve notes
AddresseeNoteSubject
StatesNote 1Transposition and calendar
StatesNote 2National register of experts
ExpertsNote 3Drafting the reasoned opinion
ExpertsNote 4Degrees of certainty
LaboratoriesNote 5Protocols and comparisons
LaboratoriesNote 6Sampling and consent
ProfessionalsNote 7Due diligence
ProfessionalsNote 8Retention of files
AllNote 9Digital certifications
AllNote 10Works by living artists
AllNote 11Conflict zones
AllNote 12Timeframes and appeals

For the attention of States

Notes 1 and 2 specify the transposition calendar, the minimum content of national law and the keeping of a register of experts. They recommend the appointment of a focal point and the annual publication of a progress report.

They recall that mutual recognition is an obligation of result: a State may require a new expert assessment only for a specific, notified and proportionate reason.

The Calumny of Apelles, Giorgio Ghisi (1560)
The Calumny of Apelles, Giorgio Ghisi (1560)
Illuminated Opening Page Titled Laila and Majnun from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Nizami of Ganja, Ja'far Baisunghuri (835 AH/1431–32 CE)
Illuminated Opening Page Titled Laila and Majnun from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Nizami of Ganja, Ja'far Baisunghuri (835 AH/1431–32 CE)
The Judgment of Solomon and Esther before Ahasuerus (pair), Dirk Vellert (c. 1530)
The Judgment of Solomon and Esther before Ahasuerus (pair), Dirk Vellert (c. 1530)

For the attention of experts

Note 3 details the structure of a reasoned opinion: finding, comparison, analysis, conclusion. Note 4 defines the five degrees of certainty and how to express them unambiguously.

They insist on one point: indeterminacy is not a failure. An expert who cannot conclude must say so, indicating what is missing to do so.

Applying a note to a case

  1. Identify the question

    Which article raises the problem?

  2. Consult the note

    The note associated with the article.

  3. Apply

    Adapt the practice of the case.

  4. Give reasons

    Mention the note in the opinion, where appropriate.

  5. Report

    Refer any difficulty to the Secretariat.

An interpretative value

Binding note or indicative note

Carnet (1863–1865)

Indicative note

General case
  • Explains the text
  • Evolves without formality
  • Can be invoked as practice

Most of the notes.

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

Compliance note

Rare case
  • Sets a precise threshold or procedure
  • Adopted by the certification committee
  • Checked during audits

Example: note 8 on retention.

Consultation of the notes in 2024

Experts34%
Professionals29%
States21%
Laboratories16%

Source: site statistics (indicative).

Case study: a note invoked

Consent to sampling

Situation

An owner challenges a sample taken without a signed form.

Actions
  1. He invokes note 6 on consent.
  2. The laboratory acknowledges the omission.
  3. The analysis is removed from the file.
Outcome

The case is resumed with a new analysis, at the laboratory's expense.

Bifolium from a Bible: Initial E[t factum est] with Ezekiel (c. 1290)
Bifolium from a Bible: Initial E[t factum est] with Ezekiel (c. 1290)
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)
Letter Box, Ogata Kōrin (1700s)
Letter Box, Ogata Kōrin (1700s)

Calendar of the notes

  1. First series

    Notes 1 to 6.

  2. Second series

    Notes 7 to 8.

  3. Third series

    Notes 10 to 11.

  4. Fourth series

    Notes 9 and 12 (digital, timeframes).

A principle of listening

Sweet Melancholy, Joseph-Marie Vien (1756)
« The notes come from the field: each answers a question that someone has really asked. »
Secretary-General's Office, OIMAP

Vocabulary of the notes

Implementation note
Explanatory text published by the Secretariat.
Focal point
OIMAP's national correspondent.
Obligation of result
Obligation to achieve a precise result.
Proportionate
Suited to what is at stake.

Frequently asked questions

Are the notes mandatory?

No, but they serve as an interpretative reference.

Where can I consult them?

In the useful documents on this page.

How can I propose a note?

Through the national focal point or the contact form.

Are the notes translated?

Yes, in English and Spanish.

Useful documents

Contacts

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)
Certification DepartmentParis — Headquarters+33 1 00 00 00 00certification@oimap.exampleMonday to Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

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Seal with Two Qilin Playing (1849)

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