Certification Frameworks for Scientific Data Repositories: Strengthening Repository Trustworthiness

Science increasingly requires access to and use of accurate and secure data across the full spectrum of scientific fields. “Trustworthy” scientific data repositories are essential to meet this goal, having the structure and commitment to provide reliability, transparency, and sustainability of the data they hold. Certification frameworks for trustworthy data repositories serve as benchmarks for rigorous data stewardship, playing a pivotal role in establishing and maintaining the integrity of trustworthy repositories. Certification processes are highly valued, but navigating the complexity of procedures to attain certification can be a significant challenge, even for repositories that meet the requirements. This is particularly problematic for institutions with limited resources or unique local contexts, underscoring the need for greater support and flexibility to help scientific data repositories manage the procedures toward certification. This paper is the result of research conducted within World Data System (WDS), a global organization of science data repositories focused on strengthening the scientific enterprise throughout the entire data lifecycle in support of first-class research outputs. Through an analysis of current practices, challenges, and opportunities in repository certification, actionable recommendations are offered to reduce barriers, provide enhanced guidance, and foster equitable participation in trustworthy data stewardship, thereby advancing best practices in scientific data management.