公認

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 公認（こうにん） means official recognition by an authorized institution or organization.
• Basic usage: In 競技団体が公認している, the sports organization grants recognition; 団体公認の商品 refers to a product recognized by that organization.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Who grants recognition
  • The recognizing body can be a sports organization, as in the examples. 公認 does not always mean government recognition.
• Compared with recognition in general
  • 認める can also describe an individual acknowledging a fact or value, while 公認 centers on official recognition.