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This comprehensive explanation has been generated from 170 GitHub source documents. All source documents are searchable here.
Last updated: October 7, 2025
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For authoritative documentation, please consult the official GLEIF vLEI trainings and the ToIP Glossary.
A Designated Authorized Representative (DAR) is a representative of a Legal Entity who is formally authorized by that entity to act officially on its behalf within the vLEI ecosystem, with specific authority to authorize vLEI Issuer Qualification Program Checklists, execute the vLEI Issuer Qualification Agreement, and designate or replace Authorized vLEI Representatives (AVRs).
The Designated Authorized Representative (DAR) is formally defined in the vLEI Ecosystem Governance Framework as a representative of a Legal Entity who is authorized by that Legal Entity to act officially on its behalf. The DAR role is established through the Draft vLEI Ecosystem Governance Framework Glossary published by GLEIF (Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation).
The official abbreviation is DAR, which is used consistently across all vLEI governance documentation and technical specifications.
The DAR occupies a critical governance position within the vLEI ecosystem's authorization hierarchy. The vLEI trust chain operates through a structured delegation model:
Organizations implementing the DAR role should:
Separation of Duties: Organizations should maintain clear separation between DAR (governance) and AVR (operational) roles to implement proper internal controls and prevent conflicts of interest.
Authorization Tracking: Implement systems to track DAR authorizations, including AVR designations, qualification checklist approvals, and agreement executions, to maintain audit trails.
Revocation Procedures: Establish clear procedures for revoking DAR authority and managing the transition to new DARs, including notification to QVIs and re-authorization of AVRs if necessary.
While the DAR role is primarily governance-focused, technical systems should:
The DAR serves as the governance bridge between the Legal Entity's corporate authority structure and the operational vLEI credential ecosystem. This positioning is deliberate: it separates strategic governance decisions (made by DARs) from operational credential management (performed by AVRs).
Within the GLEIF ecosystem, the DAR role is part of the vLEI Issuer Qualification Program, which establishes the processes and requirements for organizations to become Qualified vLEI Issuers. The DAR's authority to execute qualification agreements and authorize program checklists makes this role essential to GLEIF's governance model for expanding the vLEI issuer network.
The DAR concept reflects GLEIF's approach to delegated governance: rather than requiring direct GLEIF involvement in every Legal Entity's credential operations, GLEIF establishes a governance framework where Legal Entities designate their own authorized representatives who operate within defined policy boundaries.
The DAR role exists in relationship to several other governance entities:
Authorized vLEI Representatives (AVRs): DARs have the authority to designate and replace AVRs. While DARs focus on governance and authorization, AVRs handle operational tasks like requesting credential issuance and revocation. This separation implements the principle of least privilege - AVRs have operational authority but not governance authority.
Legal Entity Authorized Representatives (LARs): LARs are representatives of Legal Entities who have undergone identity verification and can perform certain credential-related operations. The relationship between DARs and LARs is defined in the Legal Entity vLEI Credential Governance Framework, with DARs typically having broader governance authority.
QVI Authorized Representatives (QARs): QARs are representatives of Qualified vLEI Issuers who interact with DARs during the qualification process. DARs authorize qualification checklists that QARs must verify and validate.
The DAR role carries three specific authorization powers as defined in the governance framework:
DARs have the authority to authorize vLEI Issuer Qualification Program Checklists. This responsibility involves:
This authorization power is critical because it determines which organizations can enter the vLEI issuer ecosystem. The DAR acts as the Legal Entity's governance gatekeeper, ensuring that qualification commitments align with the organization's capabilities and strategic objectives.
DARs have the authority to execute the vLEI Issuer Qualification Agreement on behalf of the Legal Entity. This is a legally binding authority that involves:
The execution authority makes the DAR role legally significant - the DAR's signature creates binding obligations for the Legal Entity. This requires that DARs have appropriate corporate authority within their organizations, typically at the executive or senior management level.
DARs have the authority to designate and replace Authorized vLEI Representatives (AVRs). This responsibility includes:
This authority implements a delegation model where the DAR (governance level) delegates operational authority to AVRs (operational level). The DAR retains the power to revoke this delegation, maintaining governance control while enabling operational efficiency.
The DAR's authority is derived from the Legal Entity's corporate governance structure. The vLEI Ecosystem Governance Framework does not specify how Legal Entities should designate their DARs - this is left to each organization's internal governance processes. However, the framework implicitly requires that:
The DAR's permissions within the vLEI ecosystem are governance-focused rather than operational. DARs do not typically:
Instead, DARs operate at the policy and authorization level, making decisions about who can perform these operational functions and under what conditions.
The DAR role has important limitations:
Scope Limitation: DAR authority is limited to the three specific powers defined in the governance framework. DARs do not have general authority over all vLEI-related activities of the Legal Entity.
Legal Entity Boundary: DAR authority extends only to the specific Legal Entity they represent. A DAR for one Legal Entity has no authority over other Legal Entities, even if those entities are related through corporate ownership structures.
Governance Framework Constraints: DARs must operate within the boundaries established by the vLEI Ecosystem Governance Framework. They cannot authorize actions that violate framework policies, even if the Legal Entity's internal governance would permit such actions.
Revocability: The Legal Entity can revoke or replace a DAR designation at any time through its internal governance processes. The DAR role is not permanent and depends on continued authorization from the Legal Entity.
No Direct Credential Issuance: DARs do not have the authority to directly issue vLEI credentials. Credential issuance is performed by QVIs based on requests from AVRs who have been designated by DARs.
While the governance framework documents do not specify detailed identity verification requirements specifically for DARs, the broader vLEI ecosystem establishes that representatives of Legal Entities must undergo appropriate identity assurance processes. The framework references:
Identity Assurance Level 2 (IAL2) compliance per NIST 800-63A standards as a baseline for identity verification in the vLEI ecosystem.
Alternative digital identity credentials from approved schemes, including:
The specific identity verification requirements for DARs would typically be established through the Legal Entity's relationship with its chosen QVI and would be documented in the qualification process.
The process by which a Legal Entity designates a DAR is not specified in the vLEI governance framework - this is intentionally left to each organization's internal governance. However, typical workflows would include:
When a DAR designates an AVR, the workflow typically involves:
When a Legal Entity seeks to become a QVI, the DAR's role in executing the qualification agreement involves:
While the DAR role is primarily a governance concept, it has technical implications for vLEI credential systems:
The DAR's authorization of AVRs creates a verifiable authorization chain in the vLEI credential structure. When an AVR requests credential issuance, the QVI can verify:
This chain is implemented through ACDC edge structures that cryptographically link credentials.
If a DAR designation is revoked or a DAR is replaced, this has cascading implications for the credential ecosystem:
The governance framework must address these succession scenarios to maintain ecosystem integrity.
vLEI Ecosystem Governance Framework v3.0: The overarching governance framework that establishes the DAR role and its authorities. This framework defines the policies, principles, and requirements for all vLEI ecosystem participants.
Draft vLEI Ecosystem Governance Framework Glossary: The authoritative source for the DAR definition, published by GLEIF. This glossary provides canonical definitions for all vLEI ecosystem roles and concepts.
Legal Entity vLEI Credential Governance Framework: Defines how Legal Entities obtain and manage their vLEI credentials, including the role of DARs in authorizing credential-related operations.
Legal Entity Official Organizational Role vLEI Credential Governance Framework: Establishes requirements for OOR credentials, including DAR involvement in authorizing these credentials for official representatives.
Legal Entity Engagement Context Role vLEI Credential Governance Framework: Defines requirements for ECR credentials, including DAR authorization for functional role credentials.
vLEI Issuer Qualification Agreement: The legally binding agreement that DARs execute on behalf of Legal Entities seeking to become QVIs. This agreement establishes the terms, conditions, and obligations for QVI participation.
vLEI Issuer Qualification Program Checklist: The assessment tool that DARs authorize as part of the QVI qualification process. This checklist verifies that the Legal Entity meets technical, operational, and governance requirements.
KERI Technical Specification: While not governance-focused, the KERI specification provides the technical foundation for the AID (Autonomic Identifier) infrastructure that underlies vLEI credentials and authorization chains.
ACDC Specification: Defines the Authentic Chained Data Container format used for vLEI credentials, including the edge structures that implement authorization chains from DARs through AVRs to credential holders.
Understanding the DAR role requires distinguishing it from related but distinct roles:
Designated Authorized Representative (DAR):
Designated Authorized Representative (DAR):
Designated Authorized Representative (DAR):
The DAR role may evolve as the vLEI ecosystem matures:
Automated Authorization: Future versions of the governance framework may support cryptographic authorization mechanisms where DAR authorizations are recorded as verifiable credentials or on-chain attestations, enabling automated verification of authorization chains.
Role Specialization: As the ecosystem grows, the DAR role may subdivide into specialized roles for different types of authorizations (e.g., separate DARs for qualification agreements vs. AVR designation).
Cross-Jurisdictional Harmonization: As vLEI adoption expands globally, the DAR role may need to adapt to different legal and regulatory frameworks while maintaining core governance principles.
Enhanced Accountability: Future governance frameworks may establish stronger accountability mechanisms for DARs, including audit trails, performance metrics, and compliance reporting requirements.
The Designated Authorized Representative (DAR) is a critical governance role in the vLEI ecosystem that bridges corporate authority structures with the operational credential infrastructure. By separating governance authority (DAR) from operational authority (AVR), the vLEI framework implements sound governance principles while enabling efficient credential operations. The DAR's three specific powers - authorizing qualification checklists, executing qualification agreements, and designating AVRs - provide the governance foundation for Legal Entity participation in the vLEI ecosystem while maintaining appropriate controls and accountability.