Become an OPN Member
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Join OPNLab Working Group
Contribute to open transparency standards and ANCR framework development through OPNLab working groups. Be part of a global community shaping the future of digital transparency and privacy-enabling technologies.
Two Pathways to Participate
OPNLab offers flexible participation models designed to meet the needs of both individual contributors and organisations deploying ANCR-compliant infrastructure. Whether you're contributing to standards development or operating production systems, we have a pathway that fits your objectives.
Free Working Group Participation
Open contribution to standards development for individuals and organisations shaping ANCR specifications, reference implementations, and conformance tools.
Controller Registry Subscriptions
Paid infrastructure support for organisations deploying ANCR-compliant systems requiring operational tools, technical support, and verified registry listings.
1. Free Working Group Participation
What It Is
Open participation in standards development working groups for individuals and organisations contributing to ANCR specifications, reference implementations, and conformance tools. This pathway enables direct involvement in shaping transparency standards that will influence global privacy practices.
Working group members collaborate on technical specifications, develop open-source implementations, and contribute to ISO/IEC standardisation efforts. Your expertise helps build the foundation for transparent, accountable data processing across industries.
Requirements
  • Sign OPN General Participation Agreement (GPA)
  • Sign IPR Agreement (Intellectual Property Rights disclosure and licensing terms)
  • Commit to OPN Code of Conduct
  • Active participation in working group activities
Application Process
Join OPN Community Group to start or contact us directly hello@transparencylab.ca and We'll guide you through the agreement process and fill it in for you.
What's Included
Working Group Rights
Full participation rights in technical working groups, including voting privileges on specification decisions and access to all working group resources and discussions.
Contribution Credit
Recognition in the Contribution Registry with your contributions formally acknowledged in specifications, publications, and standards documentation.
Early Access
Preview draft specifications before public release, enabling you to provide feedback and influence standards development at critical stages.
Technical Meetings
Invitations to technical working group meetings, workshops, and collaborative sessions where specifications are developed and refined.
Standards Development
Direct collaboration on ISO/IEC 27560 and related standards, contributing to globally recognised transparency and consent frameworks.
Community Recognition
Public acknowledgement of your contributions through co-authorship opportunities, speaking engagements, and community showcases.
Compensation Model
Register contributions in the Contribution Registry to receive benefits and compensation based on adoption and impact of your work. The OPNLab compensation model rewards contributors whose work demonstrates measurable ecosystem value through widespread implementation and positive impact on transparency practices.
Compensation is determined through working group consensus, adoption metrics, and systematic evaluation of contribution value. Contributors with widely adopted specifications, implementations, or tools receive proportional recognition and financial benefits as the ecosystem grows.

Ready to contribute? Join the Open Privacy Network
2. Controller Registry Subscriptions (Paid)
For organisations deploying ANCR-compliant infrastructure and requiring operational support beyond standards development. Controller Registry subscriptions provide the technical infrastructure, conformance tools, and support services necessary to operate production transparency systems at scale.
These subscriptions are designed for organisations that have moved beyond standards development into active implementation and operation of ANCR-compliant systems. Each tier provides progressively sophisticated infrastructure, support, and enterprise features tailored to organisational scale and operational requirements.
L2 — Development Infrastructure
For developers implementing ANCR
L3 — Production Infrastructure
For organisations operating ANCR systems
L4 — Enterprise Infrastructure
For large organisations with multiple entities
L5 — Custom Enterprise
For multi-national corporations
L2 — Development Infrastructure
$500
per year
Ideal for developers and small teams building and testing ANCR implementations in pre-production environments. This tier provides essential infrastructure for development, testing, and standards compliance verification.
What's Included:
  • Sandbox environment and comprehensive testing tools
  • Conformance tools access for specification validation
  • Technical support channels with developer community access
  • Standards participation rights in working groups
  • Documentation and implementation guides
Target audience: Developers implementing ANCR specifications, testing conformance, and building proof-of-concept systems.

Join the waitlist: to reserve your place and receive launch notifications.
Controller Registry subscriptions launch Q1 2026.
Understanding the OPN-RF-RAND Licence
All contributions to OPNLab working groups are governed by the OPN Reciprocal Royalty-Free (RF) with RAND opt-out licence. This licensing framework balances open standards development with intellectual property protection, enabling sustainable infrastructure funding whilst keeping transparency standards freely implementable.
The OPN-RF-RAND licence represents a carefully designed approach to intellectual property management in open standards development. It ensures that essential patents and innovations contributed to ANCR specifications remain accessible to implementers whilst protecting contributors' rights and enabling commercial sustainability.
Core Principles
Royalty-Free Default
Contributors licence essential patents royalty-free for conformant implementations by other OPN members. This ensures that anyone implementing ANCR specifications according to published standards can do so without patent licensing fees, promoting widespread adoption and interoperability.
The royalty-free commitment applies to all essential claims—patents or patent applications that would necessarily be infringed by conformant implementations of ANCR specifications.
Open Standards
All work contributes to ISO/IEC 27560 and publicly accessible standards. OPNLab operates as a standards development organisation with the explicit goal of advancing globally recognised transparency frameworks through ISO/IEC standardisation processes.
Contributions become part of formal standards documentation, ensuring long-term accessibility, multi-stakeholder review, and international recognition.
IP Retention
Contributors retain ownership of their intellectual property but grant OPN and members royalty-free usage rights. You maintain full ownership of your patents, copyrights, and innovations whilst enabling the community to implement and build upon your contributions.
This model protects your commercial interests whilst supporting open standards development and ecosystem growth.
RAND Opt-Out
Contributors may opt out to Reasonable and Non-Discriminatory (RAND) terms with 90-day notice. If commercial circumstances require it, contributors can transition from royalty-free to RAND licensing, enabling patent monetisation whilst maintaining fair access for implementers.
The 90-day notice period ensures implementers have adequate time to assess licensing terms and make informed decisions.
Why This Matters
For Contributors
The OPN-RF-RAND licence protects your intellectual property rights whilst enabling your work to influence global transparency standards. You retain ownership, receive recognition for contributions, and maintain commercial optionality through the RAND opt-out provision.
Your innovations become part of internationally recognised standards, amplifying impact whilst preserving strategic flexibility for future commercialisation.
For Implementers
This licensing model ensures that ANCR specifications remain freely implementable without patent licensing barriers. You can build conformant systems with confidence, knowing that essential patents are available royalty-free under predictable terms.
The RAND opt-out provision provides transparency about potential future licensing changes, enabling informed risk assessment and planning.
For the Ecosystem
The OPN-RF-RAND licence enables sustainable infrastructure funding whilst keeping standards open. This balance supports both non-profit standards development and commercial deployment, fostering a healthy ecosystem where innovation and openness coexist.
By protecting contributor rights whilst ensuring implementer access, this model promotes widespread adoption and long-term viability of transparency standards.
"This licensing model keeps transparency standards open and freely implementable whilst protecting contributors' IP rights and enabling sustainable infrastructure funding. It's designed to support both the commons and commercial sustainability."
Prerequisites for Working Group Participation
Before joining OPNLab working groups, carefully review the required agreements and ensure you understand the commitments involved. This preparation ensures smooth onboarding and productive participation in standards development activities.
Step 1: Review Agreements
Thorough review of participation agreements is essential before signing. These documents establish the legal framework for your contributions, intellectual property rights, and community participation. Take time to understand each provision and consult legal counsel if representing an organisation.
OPN General Participation Agreement (GPA)
The foundational agreement governing participation in OPNLab working groups. Establishes code of conduct, contribution terms, and community norms.
IPR Agreement
Covers intellectual property disclosure requirements and licensing terms for contributed innovations, patents, and technical specifications.
Key Terms to Understand
Code of Conduct
Commitment to respectful, inclusive, professional engagement in all working group activities. This includes constructive collaboration, respectful communication, and adherence to community norms that foster productive standards development.
IP Disclosure
Obligation for timely disclosure of essential claims during specification review periods. If you are aware of patents or patent applications that would necessarily be infringed by proposed specifications, you must disclose them to the working group within designated review windows.
Contribution Licensing
Royalty-free rights granted to OPN and members under RF-RAND terms. Your contributions are licensed to enable conformant implementations whilst maintaining your intellectual property ownership.
Standards Contribution
Acknowledgement that work contributes to ISO/IEC standards bodies. Your contributions become part of formal standardisation processes and may be incorporated into internationally recognised standards documentation.
Step 2: Sign Agreements
Once you've thoroughly reviewed both agreements and understand the terms, you're ready to sign. Signing these agreements confirms your commitment to the OPNLab community and grants you full participation rights in working group activities.

Confirmation Checklist
By signing, you confirm:
  • ☐ You have read and understood the OPN GPA and IPR Agreement in their entirety
  • ☐ You agree to OPN-RF-RAND licensing terms for all your contributions
  • ☐ You understand contributions support ISO/IEC 27560 standards development
  • ☐ You commit to the OPN Code of Conduct in all community interactions
  • ☐ You have authority to accept these terms on behalf of your organisation (if applicable)
If signing on behalf of an organisation, ensure you have proper authorisation and that your organisation's legal team has reviewed the agreements. Corporate participants may require internal approvals before executing these commitments.
Application Process
Joining an OPNLab working group is straightforward. We've designed the application process to be efficient whilst ensuring all participants understand their commitments and are properly onboarded into the community.
How to Apply
To begin your application, , Join OPN Community Group, email hello@transparencylab.ca with the required information detailed below. Our team reviews applications promptly and guides you through the agreement signing and onboarding process.
1
2
Sign Up to the Wait list
Be sure to Include all details listed below
3
Review Process
DTL team reviews within 24-48 hours
4
Access Granted
Onboarding within 24 hours of signed agreements
Required Information
Fast-Track - Include the following information in your application email: helllo@0PNlab.com
Personal Details
  • Full name: Your complete legal name
  • Email address: Primary contact email for all communications
  • Organisation: Company, institution, or affiliation (if applicable)
  • Job title/role: Your current position or area of responsibility
Participation Details
  • Working group interest: Specify which working groups you wish to join (ANCR specifications, conformance tools, reference implementations, documentation, or multiple areas)
  • Relevant experience: Brief background on your expertise and why you're interested in contributing to transparency standards
What Happens Next
1
Review (24-48 hours)
The DTL team reviews your application to ensure alignment with working group objectives and community standards. We may contact you for clarification or additional information.
2
Agreements Sent
You'll receive the OPN General Participation Agreement (GPA) and IPR Agreement for signature. Review these carefully and sign electronically or return scanned copies.
3
Access Granted (within 24 hours)
Once we receive your signed agreements, you'll receive Slack workspace invitations, GitHub repository access, and a comprehensive welcome packet with onboarding resources.
4
Onboarding
Join your first working group meeting, introduce yourself to the community, and begin contributing to specifications, implementations, or documentation.

Questions about the application process? Contact us at hello@transparencylab.ca and we'll be happy to assist.
Working Group Scope
OPNLab working groups develop the technical specifications, reference implementations, and conformance tools that comprise the ANCR ecosystem. All work contributes to ISO/IEC 27560 consent record information structures and related privacy-enabling standards, ensuring global recognition and interoperability.
Working groups operate as collaborative, consensus-driven communities where technical experts, implementers, and privacy professionals collaborate to advance transparency standards. Each working group focuses on specific aspects of the ANCR framework, from core specifications to implementation tools and documentation.
What We're Building
ANCR Specifications
Core technical specifications defining Controller Identity Record (CIR), Notice Receipt, and Event Log structures. These specifications establish the data models, protocols, and interfaces that enable transparent data processing and accountability.
Working group activities include schema definition, protocol design, API specification, and conformance criteria development.
TPI-R Framework
Transparency Performance Index/Report (TPI-R) scoring methodology for evaluating and benchmarking transparency practices. This framework provides standardised metrics for assessing controller transparency performance and progress over time.
Development includes metric definition, scoring algorithms, assessment methodologies, and reporting formats.
Notice.txt Standard
Machine-readable transparency notice format enabling automated discovery and processing of privacy information. Similar to robots.txt, notice.txt provides a standardised location and format for transparency declarations.
Specification work includes file format definition, discovery protocols, schema validation, and implementation guidelines.
Reference Implementations
Open-source code demonstrating ANCR compliance and best practices. Reference implementations serve as working examples for developers building ANCR-compliant systems, reducing implementation complexity and accelerating adoption.
Development includes code libraries, API clients, validation tools, and sample applications across multiple programming languages.
Conformance Tools
Test suites, validators, and certification frameworks for verifying ANCR compliance. These tools enable implementers to validate their systems against specifications and obtain conformance certification.
Tool development includes automated test suites, validation services, conformance badges, and certification processes.
Documentation
Implementation guides, API specifications, deployment playbooks, and educational resources. Comprehensive documentation ensures that implementers have the knowledge and resources needed to deploy ANCR-compliant systems successfully.
Documentation work includes technical guides, tutorials, best practices, integration patterns, and troubleshooting resources.
Standards Contribution
All OPNLab working group outputs contribute to ISO/IEC 27560 consent record information structures and related privacy-enabling standards. This ensures that ANCR specifications benefit from multi-stakeholder review, international recognition, and formal standardisation processes that promote long-term stability and adoption.
ISO/IEC 27560
Consent record information structure specification defining standard formats for recording, communicating, and verifying privacy consent and data processing transparency.
Related Standards
Working groups also contribute to adjacent privacy and security standards, including ISO/IEC 27701 (Privacy Information Management), ISO/IEC 29100 (Privacy Framework), and emerging transparency standards.
"Working group participation means contributing to globally recognised standards that will shape transparency practices for years to come. Your work influences how organisations worldwide demonstrate accountability and respect user privacy."
Contribution Registry & Compensation
The OPN Contribution Registry recognises and rewards contributors whose work demonstrates measurable ecosystem impact. By registering your contributions, you become eligible for recognition credit, financial compensation, and priority access to ecosystem resources as ANCR adoption grows.
The contribution compensation model aligns individual incentives with ecosystem health. As ANCR specifications gain adoption and organisations deploy conformant systems, contributors whose work enabled that adoption receive proportional benefits. This creates a sustainable model where valuable contributions generate ongoing returns based on real-world impact.
Benefits of Registration
Recognition Credit
Formal acknowledgement in specifications and publications. Your contributions are documented in official standards, technical specifications, and ecosystem documentation, providing professional recognition and establishing your expertise in transparency standards.
Recognition includes co-authorship on standards publications, attribution in specification documents, and acknowledgement in ecosystem communications.
Compensation Based on Impact
Financial returns based on adoption metrics and ecosystem impact. As organisations deploy systems using your contributions, you receive compensation proportional to adoption breadth, implementation depth, and demonstrated value.
Compensation calculations consider implementation count, user reach, ecosystem dependencies, and sustained adoption over time.
Priority Access
Early access to conformance tools and certification programmes. Contributors gain priority access to new infrastructure, testing environments, and certification opportunities, enabling you to validate your own implementations ahead of public release.
Speaking Opportunities
Invitations to present at OPN and GDTA events. Share your expertise with the broader transparency community through conference presentations, workshops, and webinars that establish thought leadership and professional visibility.
Standards Co-Authorship
Official co-authorship on standards publications submitted to ISO/IEC and other standards bodies. Your name appears on formal standards documentation, providing professional credentials and recognition within the global standards community.
How Contribution Value Is Determined
Contribution value assessment combines quantitative metrics with qualitative working group consensus. This multi-faceted approach ensures fair recognition for diverse contribution types, from technical specifications to documentation, testing tools, and implementation support.
01
Working Group Consensus
Technical merit and community value assessed through working group review. Peers evaluate contributions for technical quality, specification completeness, innovation, and alignment with ecosystem objectives.
02
Adoption Measurement
Quantitative metrics tracking implementation adoption, deployment breadth, and usage patterns. Metrics include number of implementations, user reach, transaction volume, and ecosystem dependencies.
03
Impact Assessment
Evaluation of ecosystem impact including interoperability improvements, implementation acceleration, and transparency practice advancement. Qualitative assessment considers how contributions advance overall ecosystem maturity and adoption.
04
Compensation Allocation
Financial returns distributed based on contribution value scores, adoption metrics, and ecosystem revenue. As organisations subscribe to Controller Registry services, contributor compensation pool grows proportionally.
Contribution Types
Specifications
  • ANCR core specifications
  • Protocol definitions
  • Data model schemas
  • API specifications
Implementations
  • Reference implementations
  • Code libraries
  • API clients
  • Sample applications
Tools & Testing
  • Conformance tools
  • Validation services
  • Test suites
  • Certification frameworks
Documentation
  • Implementation guides
  • API documentation
  • Deployment playbooks
  • Educational resources

Ready to register your contributions? Joint OPNLab working group and track your work in the Contribution Ledger to document your work for recognition, benefits and revenue share.
Controller Registry Subscriptions vs Working Group Participation
Understanding the distinction between free working group participation and paid Controller Registry subscriptions is essential for choosing the right participation pathway. Most contributors participate in working groups without requiring subscriptions, whilst organisations deploying production infrastructure require operational support services.
Working Groups (Free)
Standards development and community collaboration
Subscriptions (Paid)
Operational infrastructure and production support
Working Group Participation (Free)
Working group participation is ideal for individuals and organisations contributing to standards development, building reference implementations, or participating in technical specification work. This pathway focuses on collaborative development of ANCR specifications and conformance tools.
What's Included:
  • Standards development and specification work
  • Community collaboration and contribution credit
  • Early access to draft specifications
  • Technical working group meetings
  • Recognition in Contribution Registry
  • Co-authorship on standards publications
What's NOT Included:
  • Operational infrastructure or support services
  • Verified Controller Registry listings (CIR-ID)
  • Production monitoring or technical support
  • Conformance testing environments
  • API access for registry management
Best For:
  • Individual contributors
  • Standards enthusiasts
  • Open-source developers
  • Academic researchers
  • Privacy professionals
  • Technical consultants
Controller Registry Subscriptions (Paid)
Controller Registry subscriptions provide operational infrastructure, technical support, and production services for organisations deploying ANCR-compliant systems at scale. These subscriptions are required for organisations operating production transparency infrastructure.
What's Included:
  • Operational infrastructure for ANCR deployment
  • Verified Controller Registry listing (CIR-ID)
  • Conformance tools, testing environments, monitoring dashboards
  • Technical support, API access, production services
  • TPI-R assessments and conformance badges
  • Multi-entity management (higher tiers)
Subscription Tiers:
  • L2 ($500/year): Development infrastructure
  • L3 ($2,500/year): Production infrastructure
  • L4 ($10,000/year): Enterprise infrastructure
  • L5 ($50,000+/year): Custom enterprise solutions
Best For:
  • Organisations deploying ANCR systems
  • Production environments
  • Controllers requiring CIR-IDs
  • Enterprises needing support
  • Multi-entity organisations
  • Platform companies
Do You Need Both?
Working Groups Only
Most contributors participate in working groups without requiring Controller Registry subscriptions. If you're contributing to specifications, building reference implementations, or collaborating on standards development, free working group participation is sufficient.
Subscriptions Only
Organisations deploying ANCR-compliant systems require subscriptions for operational infrastructure but may not participate in working groups. If you're implementing existing specifications and need production support, subscriptions without working group participation are appropriate.
Both Pathways
Organisations contributing to standards development AND operating production systems may participate in both. This combination provides specification influence, contribution recognition, and operational infrastructure support.
"Most contributors participate in working groups (free) without requiring Controller Registry subscriptions. Subscriptions are for organisations deploying ANCR infrastructure at scale and requiring operational support."
Questions?
We're here to help you navigate OPNLab participation pathways, understand licensing requirements, and choose the right approach for your organisation or individual contributions. Whether you're exploring working group participation or considering Controller Registry subscriptions, our team is ready to assist.
General Enquiries
Questions about OPNLab, working groups, or participation pathways
Technical Support
Specification questions, implementation guidance, or technical assistance
Subscription Enquiries
Controller Registry subscriptions, pricing, or enterprise solutions
Common Questions
How do I apply for working group participation?
Email hello@transparencylab.ca with your details, relevant experience, and working group interests. We'll guide you through the agreement signing process and onboarding.
Do I need a subscription to participate in working groups?
No. Working group participation is free and does not require Controller Registry subscriptions. Subscriptions are only needed for organisations deploying production ANCR infrastructure.
When do Controller Registry subscriptions launch?
Q1 2026. Join the waitlist by emailing hello@transparencylab.ca to receive launch notifications and early access opportunities.
What's the time commitment for working group participation?
Time commitments vary by working group and your contribution scope. Expect 2-4 hours per week for active participation in technical meetings, specification development, and implementation work.
Can organisations participate in both working groups and subscriptions?
Yes. Many organisations contribute to standards development through working groups whilst operating production systems with Controller Registry subscriptions.
Get in Touch
We typically respond to enquiries within 24-48 hours during business days. For urgent matters, please indicate priority in your subject line.
Related Resources
Access key documentation, agreements, and policies governing OPNLab participation. These resources provide detailed information about contribution terms, intellectual property rights, and community standards.
OPN General Participation Agreement
The foundational agreement governing participation in OPNLab working groups. Review this document carefully before applying to understand participation terms, code of conduct, and community commitments.
OPN GPA Form
The electronic form for signing the OPN General Participation Agreement. Complete this form after reviewing the GPA to formalise your participation in working groups.
OPN Contribution Policy
Detailed policy governing contributions to OPNLab specifications, reference implementations, and conformance tools. Explains contribution licensing, recognition processes, and compensation models.
Additional Documentation
For Contributors
  • OPN-RF-RAND Licence Overview
  • IPR Agreement Template
  • Contribution Registry Guidelines
  • Working Group Operating Procedures
  • Code of Conduct
Request these resources via hello@transparencylab.ca
For Implementers
  • ANCR Specification Drafts
  • Reference Implementation Repositories
  • Conformance Testing Guidelines
  • Implementation Best Practices
  • TPI-R Methodology Documentation
Access after working group onboarding

Ready to get started? Review the OPN General Participation Agreement, then email hello@transparencylab.ca to begin your application for working group participation.