diff --git a/org-ops-core/src/manifest_loader.rs b/org-ops-core/src/manifest_loader.rs
index b2e61e9..f8b0d70 100644
--- a/org-ops-core/src/manifest_loader.rs
+++ b/org-ops-core/src/manifest_loader.rs
@@ -52,10 +52,41 @@ pub struct ManifestLoadResult {
 /// Reads the manifest JSON (from ConfigMap mount or API), filters
 /// entries by the session's ShellClass and delegation scope, and
 /// optionally verifies on-disk binary hashes.
+/// Optional signature status from the reconciler.
+/// Passed alongside manifest_json when the ConfigMap includes it.
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Default)]
+pub struct ManifestMeta {
+    /// Whether the reconciler verified all required witness signatures.
+    pub signature_valid: bool,
+    /// Whether witness signatures are required for this manifest.
+    pub signatures_required: bool,
+}
+
 pub fn load_manifest(
     ctx: &SessionContext,
     manifest_json: &str,
 ) -> Result<ManifestLoadResult, String> {
+    load_manifest_with_meta(ctx, manifest_json, &ManifestMeta::default())
+}
+
+/// Load manifest with optional signature metadata.
+///
+/// If `meta.signatures_required` is true and `meta.signature_valid` is
+/// false, the load is rejected (unsigned manifests don't take effect).
+pub fn load_manifest_with_meta(
+    ctx: &SessionContext,
+    manifest_json: &str,
+    meta: &ManifestMeta,
+) -> Result<ManifestLoadResult, String> {
+    // Check signature if required
+    if meta.signatures_required && !meta.signature_valid {
+        return Err(
+            "manifest not signed by all required Accord witnesses — \
+             contact your quorum administrator"
+                .into(),
+        );
+    }
+
     let entries: Vec<VerifiedEntry> =
         serde_json::from_str(manifest_json).map_err(|e| format!("manifest parse error: {e}"))?;
 
@@ -248,6 +279,29 @@ mod tests {
         assert!(result.is_err());
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn unsigned_manifest_rejected_when_required() {
+        let meta = ManifestMeta {
+            signatures_required: true,
+            signature_valid: false,
+        };
+        let result =
+            load_manifest_with_meta(&ctx(ShellClass::System, true), &manifest_json(), &meta);
+        assert!(result.is_err());
+        assert!(result.unwrap_err().contains("not signed"));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn signed_manifest_accepted() {
+        let meta = ManifestMeta {
+            signatures_required: true,
+            signature_valid: true,
+        };
+        let result =
+            load_manifest_with_meta(&ctx(ShellClass::System, true), &manifest_json(), &meta);
+        assert!(result.is_ok());
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn manifest_cid_is_computed() {
         let result = load_manifest(&ctx(ShellClass::System, true), &manifest_json()).unwrap();