For open source hardware, the general-purpose certification route documented for May 2024 is the Open Source Hardware Association (OSHWA) Certification Program. It is a self-certification and registry process—not a government approval or lab test. OSHWA certification signals that a project’s open-hardware definition and documentation meet the community’s requirements; a separate hardware license sets the legal terms for reuse and sharing.
What OSHWA certification means
OSHWA, a nonprofit organization, operates the certification program. A certified project receives a unique ID and permission to use the OSHWA certification logo. The mark helps users identify projects that meet OSHWA’s community definition of open source hardware; it does not certify product safety, performance, or regulatory compliance. OSHWA’s certification requirements state that “Any producer may self-certify at any time that their products meet the requirements for an Open Source Hardware Association Certification.”
Certification relies on the producer’s representations, project registration, and community oversight. OSHWA identifies community reports as the primary way it detects violations and says it can investigate and impose penalties for persistent violations.
How to certify an open hardware project
- Prepare the design files and documentation. Make the original design files easy to find from the product or its documentation. Clearly state which parts of the project are open source and which are not. OSHWA’s open source hardware definition and certification requirements describe the expectations.
- Choose an appropriate hardware license. Apply an open-source license to the hardware intellectual property covered by the project. The license determines the permissions and sharing conditions for people who use or adapt the designs.
- Check software needed to operate the hardware. Any software necessary for operation must use an OSI-approved license. If the project has no software, no software license is required. See OSHWA’s requirements.
- Review creator and third-party contributions. Contributions controlled by the creator must be open. A proprietary component outside the creator’s control does not have to be opened, though OSHWA prefers open components where possible. Identify open and closed portions clearly.
- Sign the mark agreement and register the product. Submit OSHWA’s certification mark license agreement, register each unique product, and provide links to relevant documentation. The requirements are set out on the OSHWA certification page.
- Label the physical hardware. Put a version number or release date on the hardware so users can match it to the corresponding design files.
- Reaffirm compliance annually. Certification is not a one-time filing: producers must reaffirm that the registered product continues to meet the requirements each year.
OSHWA certification versus hardware licenses
CERN OHL, Solderpad, and TAPR are licenses, not alternative certification programs. OSHWA lists them among its recommended hardware licenses. Certification and licensing answer different questions: certification concerns whether a project follows OSHWA’s open-hardware definition and documentation expectations; the license governs downstream use, modification, and sharing.
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| Choice | What it does | Key distinction |
|---|---|---|
| OSHWA Certification | Registers a project as meeting OSHWA’s requirements and permits use of its certification logo. | Self-certification with documentation, product registration, a mark agreement, and annual reaffirmation; it is not a license. |
| CERN-OHL-P-2.0 | Hardware license listed by OSHWA. | Permissive reciprocity choice. |
| CERN-OHL-W-2.0 | Hardware license listed by OSHWA. | Weakly reciprocal choice. |
| CERN-OHL-S-2.0 | Hardware license listed by OSHWA. | Strongly reciprocal choice. |
| Solderpad or TAPR | Hardware licenses listed by OSHWA. | License options, not certification marks; compare each license’s terms before selecting one. |
CERN describes version 2 of its Open Hardware Licence as a legal tool supporting the freedom to use, study, modify, share, and distribute hardware designs and products based on them. The three v2 variants differ in reciprocity: P is permissive, W weakly reciprocal, and S strongly reciprocal. See CERN’s CERN OHL homepage and OSHWA’s recommended license list.
What to check before applying
- Can users readily find the original design files and supporting documentation?
- Does the project clearly distinguish open portions from closed portions?
- Are creator-controlled hardware contributions covered by an open-source license?
- Does software required for operation use an OSI-approved license, if applicable?
- Are out-of-control third-party proprietary components identified rather than presented as open?
- Can users match the physical product’s version or release date to its design files?
- Have you allowed for registration of each unique product and annual reaffirmation?
- Does the selected hardware license’s reciprocity match the project’s goals?
What the certification does not establish
OSHWA certification is not a substitute for product testing, safety certification, or regulatory approval. It documents a project’s alignment with an open-hardware definition and related requirements. The reviewed official material does not establish a reliable certification total or market-size figure for May 2024, so a specific adoption count should not be inferred.
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