> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://support.iafcertsearch.org/iaf-certsearch-releases/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/iaf-certsearch-releases/system-updates/accreditation-body-release-notes/2024-releases/july-2024/iaf-certsearch-release-july-22-2024.md).

# IAF CertSearch Release - July 22, 2024

## <mark style="color:red;">Release Highlights</mark>

{% hint style="warning" %}
Changes to the Certification Template apply to [**Accreditation Bodies**](/iaf-certsearch-releases/system-updates/certification-bodies-release-notes/2024-releases/july-2024/iaf-certsearch-release-july-22-2024/accreditation-body.md)**,** [**Certification Bodies,**](/iaf-certsearch-releases/system-updates/certification-bodies-release-notes/2024-releases/july-2024/iaf-certsearch-release-july-22-2024/certification-body.md) **and** [**Multination Certification Bodies**](/iaf-certsearch-releases/system-updates/certification-bodies-release-notes/2024-releases/july-2024/iaf-certsearch-release-july-22-2024/mncb-account.md)**.**
{% endhint %}

### Certification Template Updates

* #### Release Version 2.0 of the Certification Template includes:
  * The certification template has been updated to include new **Certified Entity** fields where Certified Entity data can be managed independently.
    * Data fields for managing the entity's business registered address.
  * Certification can now have **multiple main sites**
  * The **"Certification Additional Site"** tab has been updated to **"Certification Sites"**
  * The addition of a flexible scope and **Main Site Full Address** field, to accommodate countries that have different address formats can utilized.&#x20;

View updates by Import Formats:

* [Excel Template](#excel-template)
* [XML Template](#xml-template)
* [API](#api)

***

### Excel Template

&#x20;If you are using an Excel file to upload your certification data, please read the latest update below:

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="New Tab: Certified Entity" %}
**What changed?**

* Certified Entity data fields are moved to a new tab **"Certified Entity"**, where you can manage all Certified Entity-related data&#x20;
* Business Registered address fields can now also be managed here<br>

  <table><thead><tr><th width="297">Field Names</th><th width="184">Optional / Required</th><th>Description </th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Business Registered Street</td><td><p><mark style="color:red;"><strong>Required</strong></mark></p><p>*<em>if preferred to input Multi-Line Address field</em></p></td><td>Business registered address of the certified entity.</td></tr><tr><td>Business Registered City</td><td>Optional</td><td>City of the business registered address of the certified entity.</td></tr><tr><td>Business Registered State</td><td>Optional</td><td>State of the business registered address of the certified entity.</td></tr><tr><td>Business Registered Zipcode/Postcode</td><td>Optional</td><td>Zipcode/Postcode of the business registered address of the certified entity.</td></tr><tr><td>Business Registered Country/Economy</td><td><mark style="color:red;"><strong>Required</strong></mark></td><td>Country/Economy of the main address of the certified entity.</td></tr><tr><td>Business Registered Full Address</td><td><mark style="color:red;"><strong>Required</strong></mark> <br>*<em>if preferred to input Single-Line Address field</em></td><td>Complete business registered address of the certified entity in a single field.</td></tr></tbody></table>
* Option to input business registered address fields into **single-line** fields or **multi-line fields**, where:

  * <mark style="color:purple;">**(Recommended)**</mark>**&#x20;** **Multiple Line**, you can input data into different dedicated fields such as Street, City, State, Zipcode/Postcode
  * <mark style="color:blue;">**(Alternative)**</mark>**&#x20;Single Line,** for countries that have a different format you can input address data into a single field<br>

  -> [View All Certified Entity Fields ](https://support.iafcertsearch.org/accreditation-bodies/iaf-certsearch-data-structure/certification-fields-glossary)<br>
  {% endtab %}

{% tab title="Certification" %}
**What changed?**

* Existing fields are renamed

  * Main site address field names have been updated:&#x20;
    * From ~~Certified Entity Street~~ to **Main Site Street**
    * From ~~Certified Entity City~~ to **Main Site City**
    * From ~~Certified Entity State~~ to **Main Site State**
    * From ~~Certified Entity Zipcode/Postcode~~ to **Main Site Zipcode/Postcode**
    * From ~~Certified Entity Country/Economy~~ to **Main Site Country/Economy**
  * Option to input business registered address fields into **single-line** fields or **multi-line fields**, where:
    * <mark style="color:purple;">**(Recommended)**</mark>**&#x20;** **Multiple Line**, you can input data into different dedicated fields such as Street, City, State, Zipcode/Postcode
    * <mark style="color:blue;">**(Alternative)**</mark>**&#x20;Single Line,** for countries that have a different format you can input address data into a single field<br>

  <table><thead><tr><th>Field Names</th><th width="172">Optional / Required</th><th>Description </th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Flexible Scope</td><td>Optional</td><td>Additional scope to a specific standard beyond the main scope.</td></tr><tr><td>Main Site Street</td><td><mark style="color:red;"><strong>Required</strong></mark> *<em>if preferred to input Multi-Line Address field</em></td><td>Main address of the certified entity.</td></tr><tr><td>Main Site City</td><td>Optional</td><td>City of the main address of the certified entity.</td></tr><tr><td>Main Site State</td><td>Optional</td><td>State of the main address of the certified entity.</td></tr><tr><td>Main Site Zipcode/Postcode</td><td>Optional</td><td>Zipcode/Postcode of the main address of the certified entity.</td></tr><tr><td>Main Site Country/Economy</td><td><mark style="color:red;"><strong>Required</strong></mark></td><td>Country/Economy of the main address of the certified entity.</td></tr><tr><td>Main Site Full Address</td><td><mark style="color:red;"><strong>Required</strong></mark> *<em>if preferred to input Single Line Address field</em></td><td>Complete main address of the certified entity in a single field, used as an alternative to entering separate Main Site Street, City, State, and Zipcode/Postcode fields.</td></tr></tbody></table>

{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Certification Standard & Scheme" %} <mark style="color:red;">**No changes to this tab**</mark>
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Certification Sites" %}
**What changed?**

* **Rename** tab from ~~Certification Additional Sites~~ to **Certification Sites**&#x20;
* **Existing fields are renamed**
  * From ~~Additional Site Street~~ to **Site Street**
  * From ~~Additional Site City~~ to **Site City**
  * From ~~Additional Site State~~ to **Site State**
  * From ~~Additional Site Zipcode/Postcode~~ to **Site Zipcode/Postcode**
  * From ~~Additional Site Country/Economy~~ to **Site Country/Economy**
* **Added the following fields:**
  * **Certified Entity Unique ID**, is a **CE** record identifier that helps define which entity the certificate is issued to.
  * **Flexible Scope** is an optional field where you can add more details about the certification scope.
* Option to input business registered address fields into **single-line** fields or **multi-line fields**, where:
  * <mark style="color:purple;">**(Recommended)**</mark>**&#x20;** **Multiple Line**, you can input data into different dedicated fields such as Street, City, State, Zipcode/Postcode
  * <mark style="color:blue;">**(Alternative)**</mark>**&#x20;Single Line,** for countries that have a different format you can input address data into a single field<br>

<table><thead><tr><th>Field Names</th><th width="172">Optional / Required</th><th>Description </th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Flexible Scope</td><td>Optional</td><td>Additional scope to a specific standard beyond the main scope.</td></tr><tr><td>Main Site Street</td><td><mark style="color:red;"><strong>Required</strong></mark> *<em>if preferred to input Multi-Line Address field</em></td><td>Main address of the certified entity.</td></tr><tr><td>Main Site City</td><td>Optional</td><td>City of the main address of the certified entity.</td></tr><tr><td>Main Site State</td><td>Optional</td><td>State of the main address of the certified entity.</td></tr><tr><td>Main Site Zipcode/Postcode</td><td>Optional</td><td>Zipcode/Postcode of the main address of the certified entity.</td></tr><tr><td>Main Site Country/Economy</td><td><mark style="color:red;"><strong>Required</strong></mark></td><td>Country/Economy of the main address of the certified entity.</td></tr><tr><td>Main Site Full Address</td><td><mark style="color:red;"><strong>Required</strong></mark> *<em>if preferred to input Single Line Address field</em></td><td>Complete the main address of the certified entity in a single field, used as an alternative to entering separate Main Site Street, City, State, and Zipcode/Postcode fields.</td></tr></tbody></table>
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

### XML Template

&#x20;If you are using an XML file to upload your certification data, please read the latest update below:

**What changed?**

* Certified Entity data fields are moved to the **"Certified Entity" section**, where you can manage all Certified Entity-related data&#x20;

```xml
<certified_entities>
	<certified_entity>
		<certified_entity_unique_id></certified_entity_unique_id>
		<certified_entity_name></certified_entity_name>
		<certified_entity_trading_name></certified_entity_trading_name>
		<certified_entity_english_name></certified_entity_english_name>
		<confidential_certified_entity></confidential_certified_entity>
		<business_registered_street></business_registered_street>
		<business_registered_city></business_registered_city>
		<business_registered_state></business_registered_state>
		<business_registered_zip_code></business_registered_zip_code>
		<business_registered_country></business_registered_country>
		<business_registered_full_address></business_registered_full_address>
		<certified_entity_website></certified_entity_website>
		<tax_id></tax_id>
		<vat></vat>
		<company_id_number></company_id_number>
		<business_registration_number></business_registration_number>
		<duns_number></duns_number>
	</certified_entity>
</certified_entities>
```

* Business Registered address fields can now also be managed here
* Option to input business registered address fields into **single-line** fields or **multi-line fields**, where:
  * <mark style="color:purple;">**(Recommended)**</mark>**&#x20;** **Multiple Line**, you can input data into different dedicated fields such as Street, City, State, Zipcode/Postcode

<pre class="language-xml"><code class="lang-xml"><strong>&#x3C;business_registered_street>&#x3C;/business_registered_street>
</strong>&#x3C;business_registered_city>&#x3C;/business_registered_city>
&#x3C;business_registered_state>&#x3C;/business_registered_state>
&#x3C;business_registered_zip_code>&#x3C;/business_registered_zip_code>
&#x3C;business_registered_country>&#x3C;/business_registered_country>
</code></pre>

* <mark style="color:blue;">**(Alternative)**</mark>**&#x20;Single Line,** for countries that have a different format you can input address data into a single field

```xml
<business_registered_full_address></business_registered_full_address>
<business_registered_country></business_registered_country>
```

### **API**

If you are using an API to upload your certification data, please see below:

* [Certified Entity API v2](https://support.iafcertsearch.org/api-developer-guide/api-integration/certification-body-apis/v2/certified-entity-api)
* [Certification API v2](https://support.iafcertsearch.org/api-developer-guide/api-integration/certification-body-apis/v2/certification-api)

***

## :page\_with\_curl: [Latest AB - Certification Templates](https://support.iafcertsearch.org/accreditation-bodies/data-management/import-certification/certification-file-templates)<br>

**Improved Certification**

With the new release of the Certification Data Structure 2.0, enhanced accreditation monitoring is implemented providing a distinct view of the scope of a standard and scheme, available for certification.&#x20;

The new template includes the following:

* New **Certified Entity** fields where Certified Entity data can be managed independently.
  * Data fields for managing the entity's business registered address.
* Certification can now have **multiple main sites**
* The **"Certification Additional Site"** tab has been updated to **"Certification Sites"**
* The addition of a flexible scope and **Main Site Full Address** field, to accommodate countries that have different address formats can utilized.&#x20;

***

If you need assistance, please contact[ ](http://info@iafcertsearch.org/)<info@iafcertsearch.org>.<br>