Submitted by the business
This proposed label could identify information supplied by an authorized business representative that has not been supported by reviewed documentation.
Private Beta / Proposed Methodology
Being tested and refined
A proposed way to describe the basis of a claim.
Transparent Chains is developing terminology that could help distinguish business-submitted information from information supported by reviewed documentation or additional confirmation. The methodology is not yet a certification program and may change based on Private Beta testing.
Relevant records reviewed
This proposed label would mean one or more relevant records were reviewed within a clearly stated scope and time period. It would not prove every condition or claim.
A defined confirmation step
This proposed level could reflect confirmation through an appropriate third party, interview, system connection, live review, or another method disclosed with the claim.
A broader, bounded assessment
This proposed level could describe a deeper sample-based assessment bounded by stated locations, dates, evidence, and limitations.
Why the distinction matters
More information is useful when people understand what it represents.
For businesses
Businesses should be able to describe their work without being forced into an all-or-nothing definition of “verified.” A clear evidence level can show what information came directly from the business, what records were reviewed, and where additional confirmation took place.
That creates room to communicate progress and provide useful context without implying that every part of a product, company, or supply chain has been independently assessed.
For consumers
The same evidence levels help people understand what they are looking at: who supplied the information, whether relevant records were reviewed, and whether another confirmation step occurred.
Transparent Chains does not use those distinctions to tell consumers which products or businesses they should support. The goal is to make the basis and limits of the information easier to understand.
Read the FAQ for more about evidence levels and publication.
Recruitment-stage boundaries
An application is not verification or certification.
Businesses should not submit confidential evidence during recruitment. If a business is selected, Transparent Chains will provide a defined review scope and separate onboarding terms before requesting any evidence.
Methodology, labels, and beta functionality may change as the approach is tested. Payment or any future membership level will never automatically determine evidence status.
A future public claim should explain
- Who supplied the information
- What evidence, if any, was reviewed
- What location, product, or period it covers
- The date of review and any expiration
- What was not evaluated
- How a correction or challenge can be raised