erkend

Erkend is a Dutch word that functions as the past participle of erkennen, meaning to recognize, acknowledge, or admit, and as an adjective meaning recognized or acknowledged. It is used to describe something that has received formal recognition or approval.

As a participle, erken wordt gebruikt in perfect tenses with hebben, for example: "Ik heb erkend wat er is gebeurd" (I have acknowledged what happened). In its adjectival use, erkend describes status or legitimacy conferred by an authority. In this sense it is commonly paired with institutions, credentials, or professionals, such as "een erkende instelling" (a recognized institution), "een erkend diploma" or, more often, references to the recognition of a diploma, and "een erkende leverancier" (a recognized supplier). The precise meaning depends on context, ranging from acknowledgement of existence to official authorization.

Common contexts include education, professional regulation, and public procurement, where recognition by a regulator or accrediting body signals trust or compliance. In the Netherlands and Flanders, erkend status helps distinguish qualified entities from unverified ones, and it can affect eligibility for funding, contracts, or licensing. While not all uses imply legal accreditation, erkend generally conveys a higher level of acceptance or legitimacy than mere acknowledgment.

Related terms include erkenning (recognition or acknowledgment), accreditatie (accreditation), and certificering (certification). These terms are often used in regulatory or formal contexts to denote different stages or kinds of official recognition.