Publication
Reading a Recognition Chain: A Short Guide
- Reference
- 1C-PUB-2026-02
- Status
- Issued
- 4 March 2026
A plain-language guide for relying parties on how to interpret the recognition chain shown on a registry record.
Why the Chain Matters
A credential has value only when its origin, authority, scope and current status can be established. The recognition chain shown on a registry record sets out the sequence of authorities that connect the credential holder back to the recognition authority.
How to Read It
Each node in the chain is shown with its name, its role, and its jurisdiction where applicable. A relying party should check that every node in the chain is itself currently recognised — a chain is only as reliable as its weakest link, and a lapsed authorisation at any point in the chain affects everything that depends on it.
What the Chain Does Not Tell You
A recognised chain establishes that a credential was properly issued under a recognised framework. It does not guarantee the future conduct of the credential holder, and it is not a substitute for the relying party’s own compliance and acceptance decision.