Section 9 of 103
8. Normative and Informative Language
Stable section ID: S05-CON-015-SECTION-9 · 6 content blocks
Normative language establishes requirements, prohibitions, permissions, recommendations, definitions, and other provisions that govern System05 activities or implementations.
Informative language provides explanation, rationale, background, examples, guidance, notes, illustrations, or possible implementation approaches without independently creating an obligation.
Normative and informative content shall be distinguishable through document structure, labels, modal verbs, metadata, or other controlled mechanisms.
A statement does not become normative merely because it appears in a constitutional document. Its status depends on its language, classification, and relationship to an authoritative provision.
Headings, examples, diagrams, tables, notes, and summaries shall not independently create requirements unless they are explicitly identified as normative. Informative material shall not contradict normative content.
Where informative material appears inconsistent with a normative provision, the normative provision shall control and the inconsistency shall be corrected through document governance.