# Mandatory Document (MD) Compliance

This section provides a helpful guide to ensure your organization complies with and actively participates in the IAF's mandatory document requirements.

### Data Obligations <a href="#data-obligations" id="data-obligations"></a>

Certification Bodies (CBs) must upload Certification information to the IAF Database. To do this, follow these steps:

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### **Collect Certification and Certified Entity Information** <a href="#collect-cb-information" id="collect-cb-information"></a>

Gather all necessary Certifications and Certified Entities, ensuring they are accurate and complete. This data will be required for successful import into the IAF CertSearch system.

To know how to format the Certification and Certified Entity information, go to: [Certified Entity and Certification Data Fields](https://support.iafcertsearch.org/certification-bodies/field-name-glossary/certification-fields-glossary)
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### **Select Your Preferred Import Method** <a href="#select-your-preferred-import-method" id="select-your-preferred-import-method"></a>

* **Manual Entry**: Step-by-step guide to adding [Certification](https://support.iafcertsearch.org/certification-bodies/data-management/certifications/add-certificate) and [Certified Entity](https://support.iafcertsearch.org/certification-bodies/data-management/certified-entities/add-certified-entity) data manually.
* **File Upload**:[ How to import Certification and Certified Entity data using file upload](https://support.iafcertsearch.org/certification-bodies/data-management/import-certification/data-import/data-import-methods/file-upload)
* **FTP Upload**: [Guide to importing Certification and Certified Entity data via FTP upload](https://support.iafcertsearch.org/certification-bodies/data-management/import-certification/data-import/data-import-methods/ftp)
* **API Integration**: [How to import Certification and Certified Entity data via API](https://support.iafcertsearch.org/api-developer-guide/api-integration/certification-body-apis)
  {% endstep %}

{% step %}

### **Ensure Monthly Data Updates** <a href="#ensure-monthly-data-updates" id="ensure-monthly-data-updates"></a>

Upload or update Certification and Certified Entity information at least once a month to keep your organization's conformance status accurate and up-to-date.

{% hint style="info" %}
If no necessary changes or new data are available for that month, you may inform the system that your data is up-to-date by triggering the **Update All** button.

\
**Where can I find the Update All button?**

**Update All** button is present on the **Certifications** listing page.<br>

To know more go to [Update All](https://support.iafcertsearch.org/certification-bodies/data-management/certifications/update-all)
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

If you **forgot to upload/update that month,** a monthly reminder to update/upload your data will be sent to the users within our organizations via email.

### **When should I receive the monthly reminder?**

You will receive a reminder **7 days before the end of the month**. Please note that this reminder will only be sent **if you haven't uploaded or updated your data before the scheduled reminder.**

#### Related Articles <a href="#related-articles" id="related-articles"></a>

> [Exclusion from Data Obligations](https://support.iafcertsearch.org/certification-bodies/data-management/mandatory-document-md-compliance/exclusion-from-data-obligations)
>
> [Keep data up-to-date using Update All](/certification-bodies/data-management/certifications/update-all.md)


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