An apparatus includes a database and a processor. The database stores a set of columns and rules assigned to each column. The rules are used to assess the quality of the data stored in the columns. The processor determines, based in part on the set of rules, the set of columns, and metadata and statistical properties of the columns, a machine learning policy adapted to generate a set of candidate rules for a given column. The processor further determines those columns of the set of columns that are similar to a subject column based on the names of the columns and the names of the tables storing the columns. The processor applies the machine learning policy to the subject column of data, rules of the similar columns, and metadata and statistical properties of the subject column to determine a set of candidate rules for the subject column.