diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/ValidationError-report.md b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/ValidationError-report.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..dbff9dc4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/ValidationError-report.md
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+---
+name: ValidationError report
+about: Report a ValidationError to help us improve
+title: "[ValidationError]"
+labels: ValidationError
+assignees: ''
+
+---
+
+## To Reproduce
+
+Steps to reproduce the behavior:
+
+1. How was _@cyclonedx/yarn-plugin-cyclonedx_  called?
+   <!-- e.g. `yarn cyclonedx --production ...` -->
+2. What kind of evidence was processed?
+   <!-- upload a complete project or set of `package.json` and `yarn.lock` to this issue, or a pastebin of you choice and put the link here. -->
+3. Error report:
+   <!-- upload the complete output to this issue, or a pastebin of you choice and put the link here. -->
+4. Expected result:
+   <!-- run the original call again
+   with parameters `-vvv --no-validate --output-reproducible --output-file=-`, 
+   then upload all output to this issue, or to a pastebin of you choice and put the link here. -->
+
+## Environment
+
+- _@cyclonedx/yarn-plugin-cyclonedx_ version: <!-- e.g. `1.0.0-alpha+4c1de92` -->
+- yarn version: <!-- get via `yarn -v` -->
+- Node version: <!-- get via `node --version` -->
+- OS: <!-- e.g. windows 11, ubuntu linux, ... -->
+ 
+## Additional context
+
+Add any other context about the problem here.
diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.md b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..9a6d2df0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.md
@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+---
+name: Bug report
+about: Create a report to help us improve
+title: "[BUG]"
+labels: bug
+assignees: ''
+
+---
+
+## Describe the bug
+
+A clear and concise description of what the bug is.
+
+## To Reproduce
+
+Steps to reproduce the behavior
+
+## Expected behavior
+
+A clear and concise description of what you expected to happen.
+
+## Screenshots or output-paste
+
+If applicable, add screenshots or past the output to help explain your problem.
+
+## Environment
+
+- _@cyclonedx/yarn-plugin-cyclonedx_ version: <!-- e.g. `1.0.0-alpha+4c1de92` -->
+- yarn version: <!-- get via `yarn -v` -->
+- Node version: <!-- get via `node --version` -->
+- OS: <!-- e.g. windows 11, ubuntu linux, ... -->
+
+## Additional context
+
+Add any other context about the problem here.
diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature_request.md b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature_request.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..6f7e1740
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature_request.md
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+---
+name: Feature request
+about: Suggest an idea for this project
+title: ''
+labels: enhancement
+assignees: ''
+
+---
+
+## Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe.
+
+A clear and concise description of what the problem is. Ex. I'm always frustrated when [...]
+
+## Describe the solution you'd like
+
+A clear and concise description of what you want to happen.
+
+## Describe alternatives you've considered
+
+A clear and concise description of any alternative solutions or features you've considered.
+
+## Additional context
+
+Add any other context or screenshots about the feature request here.
diff --git a/src/plugin.ts b/src/plugin.ts
index 36c52f0b..ad3a4af4 100644
--- a/src/plugin.ts
+++ b/src/plugin.ts
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
 Copyright (c) OWASP Foundation. All Rights Reserved.
 */
 
-import { Builders, type Enums, Factories, Serialize, Spec } from '@cyclonedx/cyclonedx-library'
+import { Builders, type Enums, Factories, Serialize, Spec, Validation } from '@cyclonedx/cyclonedx-library'
 import { BaseCommand, WorkspaceRequiredError } from '@yarnpkg/cli'
 import { Configuration, type Plugin, Project } from '@yarnpkg/core'
 import { Command, Option } from 'clipanion'
@@ -86,6 +86,11 @@ class CycloneCommand extends BaseCommand {
     description: 'Whether to go the extra mile and make the output reproducible.\nThis might result in loss of time- and random-based values.'
   })
 
+  validate = Option.Boolean('--validate', {
+    description: 'Validate resulting BOM before outputting.',
+    required: false
+  })
+
   verbosity = Option.Counter('--verbose,-v', 1, {
     description: 'Increase the verbosity of messages.\nUse multiple times to increase the verbosity even more.'
   })
@@ -99,6 +104,7 @@ class CycloneCommand extends BaseCommand {
       production: this.production,
       mcType: this.mcType,
       outputReproducible: this.outputReproducible,
+      validate: this.validate,
       verbosity: this.verbosity
     })
 
@@ -136,12 +142,15 @@ class CycloneCommand extends BaseCommand {
     }
 
     let serializer: Serialize.Types.Serializer
+    let validator: Validation.Types.Validator
     switch (this.outputFormat as OutputFormat) {
       case OutputFormat.XML:
         serializer = new Serialize.XmlSerializer(new Serialize.XML.Normalize.Factory(spec))
+        validator = new Validation.XmlValidator(spec.version)
         break
       case OutputFormat.JSON:
         serializer = new Serialize.JsonSerializer(new Serialize.JSON.Normalize.Factory(spec))
+        validator = new Validation.JsonValidator(spec.version)
         break
     }
 
@@ -151,7 +160,35 @@ class CycloneCommand extends BaseCommand {
       space: 2
     })
 
-    // @TODO validate BOM
+    if (this.validate ?? true) {
+      myConsole.log('LOG   | try validating BOM result ...')
+      try {
+        const validationErrors = await validator.validate(serialized)
+        if (validationErrors === null) {
+          myConsole.info('INFO  | BOM result appears valid')
+        } else {
+          myConsole.debug('DEBUG | BOM result invalid. details: ', validationErrors)
+          myConsole.error('ERROR | Failed to generate valid BOM.')
+          myConsole.warn(
+            'WARN  | Please report the issue and provide the yarn lock file of the current project to:\n' +
+            '      | https://github.com/CycloneDX/cyclonedx-node-yarnn/issues/new?template=ValidationError-report.md&labels=ValidationError&title=%5BValidationError%5D')
+          return ExitCode.FAILURE
+        }
+      } catch (err) {
+        if (err instanceof Validation.MissingOptionalDependencyError) {
+          if (this.validate === true) {
+            myConsole.error('ERROR  | failed validating BOM:', err.message)
+            return ExitCode.FAILURE
+          } else {
+            myConsole.info('INFO  | skipped validating BOM:', err.message)
+          }
+        } else {
+          myConsole.debug('ERROR | unexpected error:', err)
+          myConsole.error('ERROR | unexpected error')
+          throw err
+        }
+      }
+    }
 
     myConsole.log('LOG   | writing BOM to: %s', this.outputFile)
     const written = await writeAllSync(