517compliant

517compliant is a label used to indicate adherence to a defined set of compliance requirements designated by the number 517. It is not a formal, universally recognized standard; rather it is applied in various industries to denote that a program, product, or process meets criteria specified in an internal policy, contractual agreement, or regulatory reference. Because the meaning of 517 can differ by organization, region, or sector, the term is inherently contextual.

Common contexts for 517compliant labeling include information security and data governance, where organizations align with a checklist of controls, risk-management practices, and reporting obligations. It may also appear in vendor or supply-chain programs to signal that a supplier’s processes meet specific operational or ethics standards. In some cases, 517compliant is used for accessibility, financial reporting, or compliance with industry-specific guidelines, with the exact requirements documented in that organization’s compliance handbook or contractual appendix.

Verification typically involves some combination of self-assessment, internal audits, and, in more formal arrangements, third-party certification or regulatory submissions. Documentation may include a compliance statement, audit reports, or certificates that reference the 517 criteria agreed upon with customers or regulators.

Limitations of the label include lack of universal recognition and potential ambiguity if the 517 criteria are not clearly defined in the relevant agreement. Practitioners are advised to accompany the term with explicit definitions, scope, and demonstration of control effectiveness to ensure shared understanding.

See also: Compliance, Regulatory standards, Certification, Governance.