ISO 17442: The LEI Code Structure

 The Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) is a 20-digit, alphanumeric code that connects to key reference information that enables clear and unique identification of companies participating in global financial markets. 

The publicly available LEI data pool can be regarded as a global directory, which greatly enhances transparency in the global marketplace.

More information on the process for collecting data on direct and ultimate parents of legal entities is available here.

 Each LEI contains information about an entity’s ownership structure and thus answers the questions of 'who is who’ and ‘who owns whom’.  

LEI issuers – also referred to as Local Operating Units (LOUs) – supply registration, renewal and other services, and act as the primary interface for legal entities wishing to obtain an LEI. 

Only organizations duly accredited by the Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation (GLEIF) are authorized to issue LEIs.

The LEI is based on the ISO standard 17442 developed by the International Organization for Standardization.