An Allocating Agent¹⁾ is an institution which allocates IGSN names on behalf of the IGSN registration agency of IGSN. An Allocating Agent may delegate technical functions and services to one or more sample repositories or data centres.

• Register IGSN and operate registration services
• Apply for top-level namespaces from IGSN and assign sub-namespaces to its clients
• Provide interfaces for metadata harvesting

• Follow best practices for IGSN allocation, syntax and metadata
• Ensure persistent access to the metadata record of the registered IGSN and ensure the persistence of the Allocating Agent's sample catalogue²⁾
• Ensure uniqueness of the allocated IGSN and make best effort at avoiding co-reference of IGSNs
• Participate in the IGSN General Assembly

A failure to comply with the roles and responsibilities may result in the termination of the membership.

• System for Earth Sample Registration (SESAR) http://www.geosamples.org

The following institutions are in the process of implementing IGSN registration services:

• CSRIO Australian Resources Research Centre, Perth, Australia http://www.csiro.au/en/About/Strategy-structure/Global-precincts/Natural-resources
• MARUM Centre for Marine Environmental Sciences, Univ. Bremen, Germany http://www.marum.de
• German Research Centre for Geosciences GFZ, Potsdam, Germany http://www.gfz-potsdam.de/zentrum/technologietransfer-zentren/erkundung-und-nutzung-des-unterirdischen-raums/wissenschaftliches-bohren/
• Geoscience Australia, Canberra, Australia.
• Curtin University, Perth, Australia.