approves

Approve means to officially accept or agree to something, to endorse or authorize it, and to confirm that it meets defined standards or requirements. The word "approves" is the third-person singular present tense form used when the subject recognizes the validity or suitability of a proposal, plan, or action. In governance, an approval is a formal authorization that moves an item to the next stage of a process.

Approvals occur across domains such as budgeting, procurement, personnel, and project management. A typical cycle includes the submission of a request, evaluation against stated criteria or risk considerations, decision by an authorized authority, and notification of the outcome. Often approvals can be granted with conditions or restrictions and may require documentation for audit purposes.

In legal and regulatory contexts, approvals authorize activities that have potential public impact. Examples include regulatory approvals for medicines or devices, environmental or planning permits, and import or export licenses. The criteria and procedures vary by jurisdiction and sector, but most systems emphasize safety, compliance, and accountability.

In modern organizations, approval workflows are often supported by information systems that route requests to the appropriate approvers, capture timestamps, and maintain audit trails. Digital approvals may use electronic signatures and multi-level authorization. If an approval is withdrawn or revised, the item may be reprocessed. Clear criteria, authority levels, and documentation help ensure transparency and governance.