LEI Data LEI Mapping

GLEIF Certification Process



The Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation (GLEIF) has established a free of charge certification process – the GLEIF Certification of LEI Mapping service - to ensure that organizations which map the Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) to their own identifiers use state of the art methodologies and / or processes to do so accurately.

Data vendors and other organizations benefit significantly from mapping their applicable identifiers to the LEI, as this provides enhanced functionality to their customers: interoperability across parallel ID platforms significantly streamlines entity verification processes and reduces data management costs for data users. Certification, and the subsequent publication by GLEIF of publicly available, open source relationship files which match identifiers against corresponding LEIs, eases the process of gathering, aggregating and reconciling counterparty information. This can be useful for many purposes including: compliance; regulatory reporting; client relationship management; and due diligence.

The Certification of Mapping service also supports the integrity of the Global LEI System, by ensuring that quality controls associated with mapping identifiers to the LEI meet or exceed requirements defined by GLEIF.

GLEIF’s Certification of LEI Mapping service evaluates the mapping processes and algorithms applied by organizations seeking to link other identification schemes to the LEI.

When seeking certification, the mapping partner documents the nature and extent of the mapping methodologies and / or processes. This enables GLEIF to review the processes and procedures, validate sample data from the mapping partner and determine if the sample data meets or exceeds GLEIF’s pre-determined accuracy and quality criteria. In cases where it does, GLEIF certification is confirmed.

Following certification, the mapping partner is required to maintain these quality standards and at regular intervals GLEIF performs validation activities to confirm that the output continues to meet GLEIF’s required performance standards. GLEIF also publishes a relationship file that matches the applicable identifier against the LEI. Public users may access this information via the GLEIF website for integration into their existing data platforms.

The diagram below demonstrates the six steps of the GLEIF Certification of Mapping service. A summary of the actions related to each step is available within the text underneath the diagram.

All documentation relevant to the GLEIF Certification of Mapping service is available for download below.

Step 1: Start Certification
Your organization seeks to gain GLEIF’s certification of its mapping methodology through GLEIF’s Certification of Mapping service. The first step is to review the GLEIF website, which details the certification process and lists all required documentation.

To formally apply for certification, you must complete an NDA and send it to info@gleif.org. Once fully executed, it will be returned to you and your organization’s role as an Applicant Mapping Partner will be confirmed.
Step 2: Submit Conceptual Model
Your organization must next submit two documents:

a) A conceptual model which describes your organizational goals, objectives and capabilities as a Mapping Partner. This document is a free-text format and the Applicant Mapping Partner determines the appropriate level of detail. The Applicant Mapping Partner must address:

a. Who: The nature of the organization applying, including detail of who uses the organization's identity framework, market position, size of customer base and competition.
b. Why: The reasons supporting the organization's application for certification – what are the key business drivers, strategic objectives and plans, etc.
c. What: How does the organization plan to integrate the certification into existing services?
d. Where: What markets or geographic areas rely on your organization’s identifier?
e. How: What existing mapping procedures or mapping algorithms does your organization already have in place and what adjustments are needed to achieve certification?
f. Timeframe: Confirmation that the timeframes as specified in the Cooperation Agreement are understood.


b) The Internal Controls Checklist sections A, B, C.

The Applicant Mapping Partner may request a review session with GLEIF to discuss materials prior to its submission. The review session will be planned for one hour's duration to ensure fairness to all Applicant Mapping Partners.

Upon full submission of the materials, it is the Applicant Mapping Partner’s responsibility to notify GLEIF.
Step 3: Agree on Conceptual Model
Upon submission of all required materials by the Applicant Mapping Partner, GLEIF will review the conceptual model and other supporting materials to ensure alignment with the Global LEI System and GLEIF operations. A recommendation to engage in mapping certification is prepared for a decision by the GLEIF CEO.
Step 4: Sign Cooperation Agreement
Once the GLEIF CEO approves engagement with the Certification of Mapping service, the Applicant Mapping Partner and GLEIF will enter into the Cooperation Agreement. This is a formal, binding contract defining the obligations of both parties.
Step 5: Submit Prototype and Documentation
The Applicant Mapping Partner submits its operational protocols, record sample, draft factsheet and the remainder of the mapping checklist. The Applicant Mapping Partner must submit all supporting documentation within 60 days of signing the Cooperation Agreement. The Applicant Mapping Partner must notify GLEIF that its materials have been submitted.
Step 6: Conduct Certification
Upon notification of the submission, GLEIF will start its review. If additional documentation or detail is required, GLEIF will inform the Applicant Mapping Partner with a full explanation so that the materials can be resubmitted. GLEIF will notify the Applicant Mapping Partner when the submission is considered complete and the start of the GLEIF review period of 30 business days.

Your organization will be advised of the final decision of the GLEIF CEO. Successful completion results in GLEIF certification of the mapping process. GLEIF certification confirms that the Mapping Partner's procedures and mapping algorithm (as applicable) meet or exceed the GLEIF quality and performance standards based upon the materials presented and testing performed. The Cooperation Agreement requires the Mapping Partner to maintain these quality standards every year for an initial term of 24 months.

In the case of unsuccessful completion, GLEIF will provide a full explanation. The Applicant Mapping Partner may be given the opportunity to resubmit documentation or the Cooperation Agreement may be terminated immediately.

For more information about the certification of LEI mapping service, contact info@gleif.org.


Relevant Files for Download