ISO/IEC 11179-1:2023

Overview

ISO/IEC 11179-1:2023 - Information technology - Metadata registries (MDR) - Part 1: Framework is the fourth-edition foundation for understanding, designing and operating metadata registries. It defines the conceptual framework for metadata (descriptions of data), explains core terminology and topical scope across the ISO/IEC 11179 series, and describes how the series relates to other JTC 1/SC 32 metadata standards. The document focuses on the semantics of data, metadata management and the principles behind registration - it does not provide a general treatment of all kinds of metadata.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Conceptual framework and terminology: theory of terminology, modelling constructs, and standardized terms used in the 11179 metamodel.
• Metadata fundamentals: definitions of metadata, concepts for metadata management and the fundamental model of data elements.
• Metadata registries (MDRs): principles for registry structure and the fundamentals of registration, including the three registration goals - identification, provenance, and quality monitoring.
• Data element modelling: core concepts for describing and re-using data element components and value domains.
• Series overview and scope mapping: explanation of related parts (e.g., metamodels for registry facilities and data specification registration, naming principles, data definition formulation, registration procedures).
• Conformance and normative references: guidance on conformance and links to referenced standards. These topics are intended to enable consistent semantic descriptions, re-use of metadata components and harmonized data interchange.

Applications and practical value

• Establishing a corporate or cross‑agency metadata registry to manage data element definitions, value domains and semantics.
• Supporting data governance, semantic interoperability, and data harmonization across systems and organizations.
• Guiding implementation of MDR software, APIs and mappings for metadata exchange.
• Enabling consistent data standardization for sectors such as government, healthcare, finance, and large enterprises that need robust metadata management for analytics, reporting and system integration.

Who should use this standard

• Data architects, metadata managers and data stewards implementing or operating MDRs.
• Software vendors building metadata registry solutions, APIs or integration tools.
• Standards bodies, interoperability working groups and organizations focused on semantic interoperability and data governance.

Related standards

ISO/IEC 11179-1 situates the 11179 series alongside other JTC 1/SC 32 standards such as ISO/IEC 11179 parts (metamodels, naming, registration) and related series including ISO/IEC 19763 (MFI / metamodels for interoperability), ISO/IEC 20943 / 20944 (MDR consistency and bindings), ISO/IEC 19583, and domain references like ISO/IEC 11404 and ISO/IEC 21838. These linked standards support registry metamodels, bindings, exchange formats and ontology mappings.

Keywords: ISO/IEC 11179, metadata registries, MDR, metadata management, data element, metamodel, data governance, semantic interoperability.