The Musical Form Institute
For labels and industry

Independent recording-level certification for labels and catalogs

Human-first and no-generative-AI claims are difficult to substantiate at the recording level. The Certificate of Embodied Production gives labels an independently reviewed, publicly verifiable certification record showing that qualifying recordings met the CEP standard.

A recording studio control room with an analog mixing console and studio monitors

What the certification verifies

The Certificate of Embodied Production certifies an individual sound recording produced without grid correction, pitch correction, or generative AI used to create, supply, replace, or reconstruct musical or lyrical content.

It does not certify the artist, the label, the studio, or artistic quality. Certification applies to recordings only.

Process

How label certification works

STEP 1

Select recordings

Choose an upcoming release, a small catalog group, or an entire project.

STEP 2

Provide recording information

Supply release metadata and authorized listening links. Prerelease recordings can be securely submitted as masters.

STEP 3

Independent review

The Institute reviews each recording individually against the current CEP standard and resolves production questions with the label or artist.

STEP 4

Certification records issued

Qualifying recordings receive a CEP identifier, a shareable certificate, a public registry record, and approved mark assets.

Deliverables

What the label receives

Released and prerelease recordings

How recordings are handled

Released recordings

Released recordings can be reviewed from an authorized public source. No file transfer is required.

Prerelease masters

When a master audio file is submitted, it is deleted no later than 90 days after receipt. A SHA-256 hash of the file is retained as part of the case record.

Registry timing

Publication in the public registry can be held until the recording’s release date.

Pilot

Pilot the certification with one release

Pilot the Certificate of Embodied Production with one upcoming release or a selected group of catalog recordings. No technical integration is required. The Institute will establish the submission process with your team, review the recordings, and return certification records for qualifying tracks.

Discuss a certification pilot
Questions

Label FAQ

What does certification cost?
Currently free.
How long does review take?
Each recording is reviewed individually. Scheduling for a multi-recording submission is set with your team when the pilot is scoped.
What happens to submitted masters?
A master audio file is deleted no later than 90 days after receipt. A SHA-256 hash of the file is retained as part of the case record.
What if a recording does not qualify?
The decision is communicated to you directly. Recordings that are not certified do not appear in the public registry.
Can a decision be appealed?
Review conduct and appeals are governed by the published governance framework.
Are prerelease submissions confidential?
Prerelease masters are submitted securely and deleted no later than 90 days after receipt, and registry publication can be held until the release date.
How can the mark be used?
Certified recordings receive approved mark assets and usage guidance. See the CEP badge kit.