The endorsement recognizes DASSH’s commitment to the highest standards of marine data management, governance, and stewardship, placing the MBA among a select group of trusted marine data centers internationally. To date, just 18 repositories have been endorsed through the QMF program from a global network of more than 110 National Oceanographic Data Centres (NODCs) and Associate Data Units (ADUs).

The IODE Quality Management Framework provides a rigorous international benchmark for organizations responsible for managing oceanographic and marine environmental data. Endorsed centers must demonstrate robust quality assurance procedures, effective data management practices, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

“This is UN-level endorsement of the MBA as a trusted data center and is a hugely significant achievement for DASSH and for the MBA. Being awarded the IODE QMF accreditation means that we can be trusted to comply with standards on an international scale,” said Emma Seal, Strategic Projects Manager for DASSH.

The certification highlights the MBA’s long-standing role in supporting the collection, management, and accessibility of marine biodiversity data, ensuring information remains discoverable, reusable, and fit for future research and decision-making.

As one of a small number of organizations globally to achieve this recognition, DASSH joins an internationally respected network of marine data centers helping to support ocean science, environmental monitoring, and evidence-based marine policy.

The achievement further strengthens the MBA’s position as a trusted custodian of marine data and reflects its continued commitment to excellence in marine science and data stewardship.

“The endorsement demonstrates that our data management practices meet internationally recognized standards and gives confidence to data providers, researchers, policymakers, and partners that the information entrusted to us is managed to the highest quality,” added Emma.