The Open Data Institute (ODI) is today launching Open Data Certificates to help everyone find, understand and use open data that is being released.  

The certificates have been created in response to business, government, and citizen needs to bring rigour to the publication, dissemination and usage of open data. Over the last six months, ODI has been collaborating with dozens of organisations around the world to define the certificates. Today sees their first Beta release.

Certificates made up of two components

1. a visual mark that shows the quality level of the data
2. a human and machine-readable description of the data being released

Four levels of certificates

• Raw: A great start at the basics of publishing open data.
• Pilot: Data users receive extra support from, and provide feedback to the publisher.
• Standard: Regularly published open data with robust support that people can rely on.
• Expert: An exceptional example of information infrastructure.

Benefits of the certificates

• publishers of data understand how they can better connect with their users;
• users of data to understand its quality, licensing, structure, and its usability;
• businesses, entrepreneurs and innovators have confidence that the data has value to them;
• policy-makers benchmark and compare the progress and quality of the data released.

More info at New certificates launched to help everyone discover, understand, and use open data and Open Data Certificates