| Semantic unit | 1.3.4 preservationLevelRationale |
| Definition | The reason a particular preservationLevelValue was applied to the object. |
| Applicability | Intellectual Entity / Representation, File |
| Obligation | Optional |
| Repeatability | Repeatable |
| Rationale | Application of a particular preservationLevelValue may require justification, especially if it differs from that usually applied according to repository policy. |
| Data constraint | None |
| Examples | user pays legislation defective file bit-level preservation only available for this format |