Authentic sources

‘Authentic source’ is the term used to refer to a set of data held by a body that has been appointed by a legal act to manage these data, which are authoritative in a particular area of competence.

The data must concern natural person or legal entities or legal facts.

For instance, the National Register is acknowledged as the authentic source of citizens in Belgium.

Similarly, the Banque Carrefour des Entreprises (central business database) is the authentic source for businesses in Belgium.

The Order of Architects is also an authentic source as it certifies the professional competence of architects.

The management of an authentic source involves rights and duties:

• guaranteeing that the data are exhaustive, accurate and regularly updated,
• rectifying incorrect data, after verification if appropriate,
• making the data available to other bodies which have legitimate need of them, observing the protection of privacy.

The administrator of the authentic source may, however, rely on third parties to undertake this task.