# Identity

**Status** Draft · **Version** 0.1 · **Updated** 20 July 2026 · **Doc ID** META-IDENTITY-01 · **Definition ID** OCOM-DEF-0002 · **URI** `ocom:Identity`

Canonical: https://ocom.uno/vocabulary/identity

> The OCOM Specification defines Identity as — Identity is the persistent and unique representation of an Object.

## Definition

Identity is the persistent and unique representation of an Object. Identity distinguishes one Object from all others regardless of changes to its metadata, state, relationships, or implementation. Identity shall remain stable throughout the lifetime of an Object.

## Purpose

This document defines Identity within the OCOM Specification. Identity provides the mechanism by which Objects are uniquely recognized, referenced, and managed throughout their existence. Identity enables interoperability, traceability, governance, and consistent object management across the OCOM ecosystem.

## Business meaning

Identity allows organizations to reliably identify and manage Objects across systems, workflows, and business domains. A stable Identity ensures that operational history, governance, evaluations, and relationships remain attached to the same Object over time.

## Design principles

Every Identity shall:

- be unique
- be persistent
- be immutable
- be globally distinguishable within its defined scope
- support interoperability
- remain technology independent

## Core characteristics

- uniquely identify an Object
- remain unchanged during the Object Lifecycle
- support references from other Objects
- support auditability
- support traceability

## Relationship to other specifications

Identity is used by:

- [`ocom:Object`](/vocabulary/object)
- [`ocom:Metadata`](/vocabulary/metadata)
- [`ocom:Relationship`](/vocabulary/relationship)
- [`ocom:Reference`](/vocabulary/reference)
- [`ocom:Registry`](/vocabulary/registry)
- `ocom:Lifecycle`
- `ocom:Governance`
- `ocom:Evaluation`

All managed Objects shall possess an Identity.

## Referenced by

- [`ocom:Object`](/vocabulary/object)
- [`ocom:Metadata`](/vocabulary/metadata)
- [`ocom:Relationship`](/vocabulary/relationship)
- [`ocom:Reference`](/vocabulary/reference)
- [`ocom:Registry`](/vocabulary/registry)
- [`ocom:Classification`](/vocabulary/classification)
- [`ocom:Ownership`](/vocabulary/ownership)

## Independence — does not prescribe

- identifier formats
- UUID standards
- database keys
- naming conventions
- implementation technologies

## Conformance

A compliant implementation shall ensure that every managed Identity:

- assign a unique Identity to every managed Object
- preserve Identity throughout the Object Lifecycle
- prevent Identity reuse
- support traceability
- remain technology independent

## Provenance

Governance records: —

| Version | Date | Change |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 0.1 | 20 July 2026 | Initial draft |

## Recommended citation

OCOM Specification. Identity. META-IDENTITY-01 (OCOM-DEF-0002). Version 0.1. https://ocom.uno/vocabulary/identity

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Machine representations — JSON: https://ocom.uno/vocabulary/identity.json · JSON-LD: https://ocom.uno/vocabulary/identity.jsonld · Markdown: https://ocom.uno/vocabulary/identity.md · Source: https://github.com/DenisHogberg/OCOM/blob/main/docs/Meta/Identity.md · History: https://github.com/DenisHogberg/OCOM/commits/main/docs/Meta/Identity.md

Generated as a deterministic projection of one canonical record.