> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://support.iafcertsearch.org/certification-bodies/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://support.iafcertsearch.org/certification-bodies/field-name-glossary/certification-fields-glossary/version-2.1/certification-data-fields.md). # Certification Data Fields {% hint style="info" %} To view the complete list of Certification data fields, refer to the section on the right side of this page. {% endhint %} ## Certification Identity Number


Field name	Certification Identity Number
Description	Unique identifier for a specific certificate. The format of certificate numbers may vary depending on the type of certificate and the Certified Entity issuing it.
IAF MD 28 Requirement	Mandatory
Input Field: Excel	Certification Identity Number
Input Field: XML	<certification_identity_number></certification_identity_number>
Input Field: Manual	N/A
Character Limit	60
Has System Validation	✅
Conditions	Cannot be left empty if left empty an error: Missing Required field is triggered
Sample Data	UNIQUEID-CERT01

## Certificate Number


Field name	Certificate Number
Description	A unique identifier for a specific certificate whose format may vary depending on the type of certificate and the certification body issuing it.
IAF MD 28 Requirement	Mandatory
Input Field: Excel	Certificate Number
Input Field: XML	<certificate_number></certificate_number>
Input Field: Manual	Certificate Number
Character Limit	60
Has System Validation	✅
Conditions	Cannot be left empty if left empty Missing Required field error is triggered
Sample Data	20897-A01

## Certification Status


Field name	Certification Status
Description	Current standing of the Certified Entity's certification.
IAF MD 28 Requirement	Mandatory
Template Versions	All versions
Input Field: Excel	Certification Status
Input Field: XML	<certification_status></certification_status>
Input Field: Manual	Certification Status
Character Limit	45
Has System Validation	✅
Conditions	Cannot be left empty If left empty, an error Missing Required Field is triggered Accepted values must be one of the following: Active Inactive Suspended Cancelled Draft Withdrawn Expired To know more about the statuses go to Certification Status. If the value doesn't match the IAF CertSearch status, a Data Mapping error is triggered.

## Certification Type


Field name	Certification Type
Description	Refers to the main scope of the certificate
IAF MD 28 Requirement	Mandatory
Template Versions	All versions
Input Field: Excel	Certification Type
Input Field: XML	<certification_type></certification_type>
Input Field: Manual	Certification Type
Character Limit	45
Has System Validation	✅
Conditions	Cannot be left empty if left empty, an error Missing Required Field is triggered Accepted values must be one of the following: Management System If the value doesn't match the IAF CertSearch status, a Data Mapping error is triggered.

## Certification Scope


Field name	Certification Scope
Description	The scope of certification concerning the type of activities, products, and services as applicable at each site.
IAF MD 28 Requirement	Mandatory
Template Version	All versions
Input Field: Excel	Certification Scope
Input Field: XML	<certification_scope></certification_scope>
Input Field: Manual	Certification Scope
Character Limit	10,000
Has System Validation	❌
Conditions	Can be left empty
Sample Data	Manufacturing, marketing, and export of instruments, consumables, and accessories for temperature, active oxygen, hydrogen, carbon measurements and sampling in ferrous and non-ferrous melts

## Flexible Scope


Field name	Flexible Scope
Description	The scope of certification concerning the type of activities, products, and services as applicable at each site.
IAF MD 28 Requirement	Voluntary
Template Version	v2.0
Input Field: Excel	Flexible Scope
Input Field: XML	<flexible_scope></flexible_scope>
Input Field: Manual	Certification Scope
Character Limit	2000
Has System Validation	❌
Conditions	Can be left empty

## Certification Issue Date(s) ### Certification Original Issue Date


Field name	Certification Original Issue Date
Description	Date on which the certificate was first issued or granted to the Certified Entities.
IAF MD 28 Requirement	Mandatory
Template Version	All versions
Input Field: Excel	Certification Original Issue Date
Input Field: XML	<certification_original_issue_date></certification_original_issue_date>
Input Field: Manual	Certification Original Issue Date
Character Limit	N/A
Has System Validation	✅
Conditions	Can be left empty Value must be formatted to: YYYYMMDD Cannot be later than the Certification Issue Date
Sample Data	20241231

### Certification Issue Date


Field name	Certification Issue Date
Description	Date on which the certificate was officially issued or granted to the Certified Entities
IAF MD 28 Requirement	Mandatory
Template Version	All versions
Input Field: Excel	Certification Issue Date
Input Field: XML	<certification_issue_date></certification_issue_date>
Input Field: Manual	Certification Issue Date
Character Limit	N/A
Has System Validation	✅
Conditions	Cannot be left empty Value must be formatted to: YYYYMMDD Cannot be equal to or later than the Certification Expiry Date Cannot be older than the Certification Issue Date
Sample Data	20241231

### Certification Expiry Date


Field name	Certification Expiry Date
Description	The date on which the certificate's validity ends.
IAF MD 28 Requirement	Mandatory
Template Version	All versions
Input Field: Excel	Certification Expiry Date
Input Field: XML	<certification_expiry_date></certification_expiry_date>
Input Field: Manual	Certification Expiry Date
Character Limit	N/A
Has System Validation	✅
Conditions	Cannot be left empty Value must be formatted to: YYYYMMDD Cannot be equal to or older than the Certification Original Issue Date and Certification Issue Date.
Sample Data	20261030

## Certification Sites Address Fields


Description	The certification site address refers to a specific location or facility where certification activities are conducted, including details such as street, address, city, state, zipcode/postcode, and relevant site-specific information, to ensure clarity in the scope and applicability of the certification.
IAF MD 28 Requirement	Mandatory

To add the Site address, you may input through the following options: * **Recommended:**** Multi-line address fields,** where you can individually input the street, city, state, and zipcode/postcode in a separate input field. * Alternative: **Single-line** **address field**, where you can input the address into one input field. ### **Multi-line** Certification Site **Fields** {% tabs %} {% tab title="Country/Economy" %}


Field name	Certification Site Country/Economy
Description	A certification site country indicates the nation where a certified site is located.
Input Field: Excel	Site Country/Economy
Input Field: XML	<country></country>
Input Field: Manual	Country
Character Limit	N/A
Has System Validation	✅
Conditions	Cannot be left empty Data value should be coming from: Countries If the value does not belong to the Countries list, Data Mapping is required,
Sample Data	United States

{% endtab %} {% tab title="Street" %}


Field name	Certification Site Street
Description	A certification site street captures the specific street address of the certified location, providing detailed geographic information to precisely identify where certification activities occur.
Input Field: Excel	Site City
Input Field: XML	<city></city>
Input Field: Manual	City
Character Limit	100
Has System Validation	✅
Conditions	Can be left empty only when either the City OR the Full Address field has value.
Sample Data	Suite 100, #3601 E Algonquin Road

{% endtab %} {% tab title="City" %}


Field name	Certification Site City
Description	A certification site city specifies the city or municipality where the certified site is located, offering a clear reference to the site's urban or regional setting for certification purposes.
Input Field: Excel	Site City
Input Field: XML	<city></city>
Input Field: Manual	City
Character Limit	100
Has System Validation	✅
Conditions	Can be left empty only when either the City OR the Full Address field has value.
Sample Data	Rolling Meadows

{% endtab %} {% tab title="State" %}


Field name	Certification Site State
Description	A certification site state identifies the state, province, or region where the certified site is located, providing an additional layer of geographic detail for the certification's regional jurisdiction.
Input Field: Excel	Site State
Input Field: XML	<state></state>
Input Field: Manual	State
Character Limit	100
Has System Validation	❌
Conditions	Can be left empty only when either the Street OR the Full Address field has value.
Sample Data	Illinois

{% endtab %} {% tab title="Zipcode/Postcode" %}


Field name	Certification Site Zipcode/Postcode
Description	A certification site postcode refers to the postal code associated with the certified location, providing an accurate geographic reference for the site's identification and addressing purposes within the region.
Input Field: Excel	Site Zipcode/Postcode
Input Field: XML	<zip_code></zip_code>
Input Field: Manual	Zipcode/Postcode
Character Limit	250
Has System Validation	✅
Conditions	Can be left empty
Sample Data	60008

{% endtab %} {% tab title="Site Type" %}


Field name	Certification Site Type
Description	A certification site type serves as an indicator whether the site is main site or an additional site.
Input Field: Excel	Site Type
Input Field: XML	<site_type></site_type>
Input Field: Manual	Site Type
Character Limit	N/A
Has System Validation	❌
Conditions	Can be left empty if left empty, the default value is Additional Site Value can either be Main Site or Additional Site only if does not match, default value is Additional Site
Sample Data	Main Site

{% endtab %} {% endtabs %} ### **Single-line address field** {% tabs %} {% tab title="Country/Economy" %}


Field name	Site Country/Economy
Description	Country/Economy where the site is located.
Input Field: Excel	Site Country/Economy
Input Field: XML	<country></country>
Input Field: Manual	Country
Character Limit	N/A
Has System Validation	✅
Conditions	Cannot be left empty Data value should be coming from: Countries If the value does not belong to the Countries list, Data Mapping is required,
Sample Data	United States

{% endtab %} {% tab title="Full Address" %}


Field name	Site Full Address
Description	Address where the site is located.
Input Field: Excel	Site Full Address
Input Field: XML	<full_address></full_address>
Input Field: Manual	Full Address
Character Limit	500
Has System Validation	✅
Conditions	Can be left empty when Street AND City has value.
Sample Data	Suite 100, #3601 E Algonquin Road, Rolling Meadows, Illinois 60018

{% endtab %} {% endtabs %} ## Accreditation Body Name


Field name	Accreditation Body Name
Description	Name of the Accreditation Body that accredited the CB.
IAF MD 28 Requirement	Mandatory
Input Field: Excel	Accreditation Body Name
Input Field: XML	<accreditation_body_name></accreditation_body_name>
Input Field: Manual	Accreditation Body Name
Character Limit	N/A
Has System Validation	✅
Conditions	Cannot be left empty The Accreditation Body Name should matched with the AB Name that accredited the Certification Body, through CB's accreditation details. If failed, the system throws an Invalid Accreditation error.
Sample Data	United Kingdom Accreditation Service

## Accreditation Body Acronym


Field name	Accreditation Body Acronym
Description	Acronym of the Accreditation Body that accredited the CB.
IAF MD 28 Requirement	Mandatory
Input Field: Excel	Accreditation Body Acronym
Input Field: XML	<accreditation_body_acronym></accreditation_body_acronym>
Input Field: Manual	Accreditation Body Acronym
Character Limit	N/A
Has System Validation	✅
Conditions	Cannot be left empty The Accreditation Body Acronym should matched with the acronym of the AB that accredited the Certification Body, through CB's accreditation details. If failed, the system throws an AB Acronym is invalid error. The acronym and name should both match
Sample Data	United Kingdom Accreditation Service