OriginsNext separates the reusable definition of an evidence from the actual instances of it.

An Evidence Template is a reusable blueprint for a type of evidence (for example, an organic certification or a deforestation-free declaration). It defines the structure: the template type (what it applies to, such as Order, Location, Organisation or Product), the data fields each instance captures, and the modules (checks) it can achieve. Templates are created once and reused. They are stored under Evidence Tracking > Templates.

An Evidence Record is an actual instance created from a template and applied to a specific product, product template, location, order, participant or organisation. Each record has its own Evidence ID, validity period, data values and supporting documents. Records are managed under Evidence Tracking > Evidences.