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Certification

Criteria

The twelve criteria of the conformity label: content, evidence expected and assessment levels.

Updated : October 28, 2026· 3 min read

Twelve criteria, one standard

Seal Color Box (1662–1722)
Seal Color Box (1662–1722)

The label rests on twelve criteria, grouped in four families: governance, diligence, traceability and ethics. Each is assessed on a four-level scale, with precise evidence requested from the applicant.

To obtain the label, an applicant must reach the “compliant” level on each of the twelve criteria, and the “exemplary” level on at least three of them. A single criterion at the “insufficient” level leads to refusal.

This page presents each criterion, the evidence expected and how it is assessed by the auditor.

  • Governance
  • Diligence
  • Traceability
  • Ethics

The criteria in figures

12criteria
4assessment levels
3minimum exemplary criteria
0insufficient criterion allowed

The twelve criteria

Leopard d'Or of Edward III of England (1327–1377)1Governance

Compliance officer appointed, organisation chart and written procedures.

Necklace Bead and Pair of Pendants in the Shape of an Auspicious Symbol (c. 150 BCE)2Due diligence

Verification of sellers' identity and the source of funds.

Tetradrachm: Owl, Crescent Moon, Olive Branch (reverse) (480–449 BCE)3BIOP search

Systematic consultation before any acquisition or sale.

Carnet (1863–1865)4Provenance

Requirement of provenance documents according to the age and nature of works.

Coin of Demetrios, I (reverse) (200–190 BCE)5Authenticity

Use of accredited experts for sensitive works.

Dragon Fly Brooch, René Lalique (c. 1900–1910)6Retention of files

Archiving of documents for at least ten years.

American Red Cross War Council Medal (obverse), Daniel Chester French (1920)7Reporting

Internal procedure for reporting suspect works to OIMAP.

Plaque (1500s–1600s)8Financial transparency

Traceability of payments and refusal of cash above a threshold.

9Staff training

Annual training in diligence and ethics.

10Customer information

OIMAP mention and clear information for buyers.

11Anti-money-laundering

Vigilance system and reporting of suspicions.

12Cooperation

Response to requests from the authorities and from OIMAP.

The four assessment levels

Assessment scale
LevelMeaningConsequence
ExemplaryPractice beyond the requirementsCounts towards the three exemplary criteria
CompliantRequirement metValidates the criterion
To be improvedMinor gaps, action planLabel possible with reservation
InsufficientRequirement not metLabel refused
Solidus of Justinian I (obverse) (c. 545–565)
Solidus of Justinian I (obverse) (c. 545–565)
Pendant (1900s)
Pendant (1900s)
Portrait of Pope Paul II Barbo (obverse) and (reverse), Cristoforo di Geremia (c. 1468)
Portrait of Pope Paul II Barbo (obverse) and (reverse), Cristoforo di Geremia (c. 1468)

How a criterion is assessed

  1. Reading the procedures

    The auditor reads the written documents.

  2. Sample of files

    Twenty files are examined.

  3. Interviews

    Meeting with managers and staff.

  4. Rating

    Each criterion receives a reasoned level.

  5. Report

    The applicant receives the report and may reply.

Evidence counts more than promises

Procedural criterion or practice criterion

Mercury (Budha), from a Mandi Astrology Series, Sanju (c. 1810)

Procedural

Existence of a written rule
  • Documented procedure
  • Designated officer
  • Easy to prove

Necessary condition.

Medal Commemorating Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry (1785-1819) and the Battle of Lake Erie, Moritz Fürst (1813)

Of practice

Application observed
  • Files checked
  • Staff interviewed
  • Harder to prove

Sufficient condition.

Criteria most often to be improved (2024)

Retention of files27%
Staff training24%
Customer information19%
Financial transparency16%
Others14%

Source: label committee (indicative).

Case study: a criterion to be improved

Files kept for too short a time

Situation

An auction house keeps its files for five years, instead of ten.

Actions
  1. The auditor notes this during the sample.
  2. The criterion is rated “to be improved”.
  3. An action plan is agreed.
Outcome

The label is awarded with reservation; a new check takes place after six months.

Development of the framework

  1. Ten criteria

    First version.

  2. Eleven criteria

    Addition of cooperation.

  3. Twelve criteria

    Addition of anti-money-laundering.

  4. Assessment levels

    Introduction of the four-level scale.

Necklace of Brilliants (1700s)
Necklace of Brilliants (1700s)
Solidus of Justinian I (reverse) (545–565)
Solidus of Justinian I (reverse) (545–565)
Chemin de fer de Toulouse à Bayonne. Pont de l'Aran (en trois arches de 17m d'ouverture chacune). Situation des travaux au 21 juillet 1861, Édouard Baldus (1861)
Chemin de fer de Toulouse à Bayonne. Pont de l'Aran (en trois arches de 17m d'ouverture chacune). Situation des travaux au 21 juillet 1861, Édouard Baldus (1861)

Development and revision

The framework is revised every three years by the label committee, after consulting holders, auction houses and Member States. Changes are published six months before they enter into force.

Holders have a one-year adaptation period to comply with new or strengthened criteria.

A principle of proportion

American Red Cross War Council Medal (reverse), Daniel Chester French (1920)
« The label does not demand perfection. It demands that everyone knows what they are doing, and proves it. »
Certification Department, OIMAP

Vocabulary of the criteria

Due diligence
Checks expected of a prudent professional.
Action plan
Corrective commitments agreed after an audit.
Sample
Set of files examined by the auditor.
Exemplary
Higher level of assessment.

Frequently asked questions

Do the criteria apply to collectors?

Yes, with adaptations; the framework specifies what is required according to profile.

Can a rating be challenged?

Yes, by a written reply to the report, examined by the committee.

How many files are examined?

Twenty in general, more for large houses.

Where can I read the full framework?

In the downloadable document, published on this page.

Useful documents

Contacts

The Old Market, Cleveland, Frank Wilcox (1920)
The Old Market, Cleveland, Frank Wilcox (1920)
Certification DepartmentParis — Headquarters+33 1 00 00 00 00certification@oimap.exampleMonday to Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Submit an application

Clasp Set with Semiprecious Stones (324–26 CE)

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