LEI data quality in focus: How precise data creates trust and opportunities

18 juni 2025

A high-quality Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) is more than just a technical identifier – it is a key to global transparency. The quality of the underlying data determines its effectiveness. In a recent article, GLEIF expert Zornitsa Manolova sheds light on how data quality criteria lay the foundation for trust and compliance in the global financial ecosystem.

Why data quality is crucial for LEI registration

LEI data is used worldwide to identify legal entities – from financial institutions to public authorities and companies. Successful LEI registration, therefore, requires the highest standards of data collection and maintenance. Poor data quality can increase regulatory risks and impair business processes. GLEIF meets this challenge with structured data quality management based on twelve precisely defined criteria, including validity, integrity, and consistency.

Transparency through data quality reports: monitoring the LEI number

Since 2017, GLEIF has published monthly reports documenting the status and development of data quality in the Global LEI System. These reports provide information on the extent to which each LEI number meets the defined quality standards. The aim is to establish trust and facilitate the comparability of LEI data globally.

In May 2025, the tested data quality dimensions achieved impressive values:

– Validity: 99.99%

structural correctness and compliance with ISO standards

– Integrity: 99.98%

logical consistency of the relationship data

– Consistency: 99.99 %

uniform application across data sets

What is a data quality criterion in the context of the LEI?

A data quality criterion defines measurable requirements for a data element. In the case of LEI registration, this means that an LEI data record only fulfils the international standard if, for example, it is valid (according to code specifications), complete and logically consistent. GLEIF has developed these criteria based on globally recognised concepts to ensure a reliable and interoperable LEI database.

The most important criteria include

– Validity:

Each data element of an LEI number must be in a valid format.

– Integrity:

The relationship between entities must be logically traceable.

– Consistency:

Information such as legal form and jurisdiction must be consistent across all data sources.

LEI as a driver of digital trust

The combination of precise LEI registration, structured quality control and monthly transparency ensures that the LEI becomes a trustworthy resource in international data traffic. For organisations that rely on global compliance, KYC processes and financial risk analysis, a reliable LEI number is essential.

GLEIF’s data-driven quality approach transforms fragmented information into a reliable foundation for informed decision-making. This makes the LEI a strategic tool—and a bridge between regulatory requirements and digital innovation.