ISO 8000-110:2021

Overview - ISO 8000-110:2021 (Data quality - Master data exchange)

ISO 8000-110:2021 specifies machine-checkable requirements for the exchange of messages containing master data made up of characteristic data. It defines what needs to be true so that messages exchanged between organizations or systems are syntactically correct, semantically encoded, and conformant to agreed data specifications. The standard is explicit about scope: it covers message syntax, semantic encoding, conformance to data specifications, and access to data dictionaries used to decode messages. It also clarifies what is out of scope (for example, provenance, accuracy, internal MDM processes, and a specific message format).

Key topics and technical requirements

• Formal syntax conformance - requirements that master data messages follow a formal, checkable syntax so they can be processed automatically.
• Semantic encoding - rules for encoding meanings (including property-value tuples and value tuples) so recipients interpret characteristics consistently. The standard defines layered requirements (e.g., Level 1 and Level 2) for semantic encoding.
• Representation of measurements - provisions for how quantities, units of measurement and qualifiers are represented to ensure unambiguous numeric and unit semantics.
• Currency amounts - rules for representing monetary values within exchanged master data messages.
• Conformance to data specifications - criteria and tests that determine if a message conforms to an agreed data specification.
• Access to data dictionaries - requirements for how recipients access and use data dictionaries to decode and validate message semantics.
• Conformance testing and document identification - mechanisms to support automated validation and consistent identification of the standard/version used (annexes include schema examples and document identification).

Practical applications and users

Who uses ISO 8000-110:

• Master data management (MDM) teams and data architects defining exchange contracts.
• System integrators and software vendors building or validating message formats for product/item characteristic exchange.
• Procurement, suppliers and customers exchanging product characteristics, technical specifications or catalog data.
• Supply chain and interoperability projects that require machine-readable, unambiguous master data exchange.

Practical benefits:

• Improved data interoperability and portability across organizations and systems.
• Automated validation and reduced manual reconciliation of exchanged characteristic data.
• Foundation for digital transformation and reliable B2B data exchanges.

Related standards

• ISO 8000 series (e.g., ISO 8000‑120 on provenance, ISO 8000‑130 on accuracy, ISO 8000‑140 on completeness, ISO 8000‑61 on data quality management).
• Complementary format standards: ISO 9735, ISO 13584, ISO 15926, ISO 22745 - these specify specific message/formats that can be used alongside ISO 8000-110.

Keywords: ISO 8000-110, data quality, master data, characteristic data, semantic encoding, message syntax, data dictionaries, conformance, master data exchange, interoperability.