The repository shall commit to a regular schedule of self-assessment and external certification.

This is necessary in order to ensure the repository continues to be trustworthy and there is no threat to its content.

Completed, dated checklists from self-assessments and/or third-party audits; certificates awarded for compliance with relevant ISO standards; timetables and evidence of adequate budget allocations for future certification.

A one-time check on trustworthiness is not adequate because many things will change over time. A longer term commitment should be demonstrated.

APTrust has a Certification Working Group that manages all APTrust certification documentation. The work of the Certification Working Group and the documentation presented on the Trusted Digital Repository documentation page, organized per the Trusted Digital Repository structure, represent the continuous steps of the self-assessment process.

Each APTrust policy stipulates a review cycle appropriate to its content and includes a history of versions and reviewers. See the Policies page for all policies.