ISO 26162-2:2019

Overview

ISO 26162-2:2019 specifies essential features of terminology management systems (TMS) and terminology databases. It focuses on the software capabilities required to record, edit, maintain, exchange and present high-quality terminological data, independent of specific software engineering paradigms, UI design or particular data models. Term extraction is explicitly out of scope. The standard targets software developers and terminologists as well as translators, technical communicators, interpreters, language planners and subject-matter experts.

Key topics and technical requirements

ISO 26162-2 defines the functional building blocks and expected behaviors of terminology software. Major topics include:

• Terminological metamodel: TMS implementations shall support the metamodel (per ISO 16642) across all levels from global containers to term components.
• Terminology database definition: features to name, describe and configure a database, provide core concept entry structures, use or create predefined and customizable templates, and preview or modify definitions.
• Data categories and picklists: management of reusable data categories (e.g., /definition/, /source/, /note/), parent–child relationships, and use of standard picklists to improve interoperability (e.g., language and country codes).
• Data types & cardinalities: support for common terminological data types-free text, picklists, binaries (figures, audio/video), cross‑references and Boolean values-and configurable cardinality rules for fields.
• Roles, rights & workflow: role-based access, input templates, layout templates and workflow/object management to support collaborative terminology work.
• Data input, editing & validation: structured input templates, editing support, and validation mechanisms to ensure data quality.
• Search, filter, sort & presentation: advanced search/filtering, sorting and customizable layout templates for presenting concept entries.
• Data exchange & interoperability: mechanisms to exchange terminological data and reuse standardised data categories to integrate with translation memories, localization and authoring tools.
• Analysis & statistics: reporting functions and metrics to assess usability and quality.

Applications

ISO 26162-2 is practical for:

• Designing or evaluating terminology management software and database implementations.
• Ensuring interoperability between TMS, translation memory systems, localization platforms and content management systems.
• Establishing terminology governance, multilingual terminology repositories, and quality-driven terminology workflows in technical documentation, localization, and standardization projects.

Who should use this standard

• Software engineers and TMS developers
• Terminologists and language planners
• Translators, localization engineers and technical communicators
• Standardization bodies and content managers

Related standards

• ISO 26162-1:2019 - Terminology databases: Design
• ISO 16642 - Terminological Markup Framework (TMF)
• ISO 12620 - Data category specifications
• ISO 704 - Terminology work: Principles and methods
• ISO 1087 - Terminology vocabulary
• ISO 23185 - Assessment and benchmarking of terminological resources

Keywords: ISO 26162-2:2019, terminology management system, terminology databases, terminological metamodel, data categories, terminology software, interoperability.