Data Repository certification: DSA and WDS merge into CoreTrustSeal

[Francoise Genova]

Dear colleagues,

Certification of data repositories is currently a hot topic, which is 
regularly discussed in the IVOA DATACP sessions. Some of 'our' data 
centres are regular members of the WDS (of which the IVOA is a network 
member), and the CDS also obtained the Data Seal of Approval.

DSA and WDS worked together in a RDA Working Group to align their 
certification criteria and procedures, which was done in 2016. Those of 
use who currently apply for the first time or for renewal now deal with 
the common criteria and the applications are examined by the DSA and WDS 
Boards. The two organisations  will now work under the umbrella of 
CoreTrustSeal. This was announced a few days ago, and you can find the 
announcement here:

https://www.coretrustseal.org/about/

FYI a modest fee will be charged to cover the administrative costs as of 
January 2018.

Cheers

Francoise