Registration vs. Validation

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Understanding the differences between Validation & Registration

Validation and SI Registration are discrete, separate, processes which complement but do not duplicate one another.  For example, validation ensures that certain date elements within an SI are formatted with the correct template style, but cannot determine whether a day reference within a date has been presented correctly with an ordinal (i.e. 1st January not 1 January) and that this ordinal is in normal text and not superscript.  This check is performed during the SI Registration process.

The primary differences between the two processes are:

  • Validation ensures an SI can publish in print and electronic format.
  • SI Registration checks that SIs are complete, include correct and relevant information and that this data is correctly recorded in the publishing system.
  • Validation is a fully automated process.
  • SI Registration combines automated and manual checks.
  • An SI can pass Validation but fail SI Registration.
  • An SI can pass SI Registration but fail Validation.
  • Validation can be done as many times as needed throughout the drafting process.
  • SI Registration checks can only be performed after the SI is submitted for registration and onward publication.

What is checked?

Validation:

  • Checks the structure and stylistic formatting of the SI document and that the permitted template styles have been used to achieve this structure. 
  • Checks that some mandatory SI elements are present (e.g. the Explanatory Note).
  • Checks that where a specific style is used that the styles that follow are permissible. is a complex diagnostic evaluation that checks the SI document, paragraph by paragraph, against a set of approximately 300 pre-defined typographical and data conversion rules.

Validation does not check:
Examples of items that Validation does not check are:

  • That the textual content in the styles is correct.
  • That a document has been drafted correctly.
  • That textual references to footnotes and the footnote itself is on the same page.
  • That schedule shoulder notes are present.
  • That schedules are correctly numbered.
  • That day references in dates contain ordinals and are not in superscript.

SI Registration:

  • Checks some mandatory text elements are present and that the formatting and placement of these are correct (e.g. footnotes and shoulder notes).
  • Uses a mix of automated and manual checks - please see "SI Registration Checks". 
  • Some automated checks rely on correct template styles having been used.
  • Automated checks return values of “Pass”, “Fail” or “Unable to verify” –  all automated check results can be overridden by the SI Registrar.

SI Registration does not check:

  • That an SI is correctly drafted, which is the responsibility of the drafting Department, but will bring to the Department’s attention any anomalies noted during the registration process.
  • That correct SI Template styles have been used.