ISO/IEC 11179-31:2023

Overview

ISO/IEC 11179-31:2023 - part of the ISO/IEC 11179 family - specifies a metamodel for data specification registration in a Metadata Registry (MDR). It extends ISO/IEC 11179‑3 to define how metadata describing data elements, data element concepts, conceptual domains, value domains, datatypes, units of measure, and derivation rules can be recorded and managed. The standard supports sharing of data representations, concepts and meanings among people and machines, independent of any single organization. It is explicitly not concerned with the physical (bits-and-bytes) representation of data.

Key technical topics and requirements

• Metamodel structure and regions: detailed UML-based metamodel regions such as High-level Data Specification, Data Element Concept, Conceptual Domain & Value Domain, Measurement, Data Element, Composite Data Elements & Datatypes, and Subset regions.
• Registration scope: ability to register data elements, units of measure, derivation rules, data element concepts, conceptual domains, conceptual domain subsets, value meanings, value domains, value domain subsets, datatypes, and permissible values.
• Conformance and profiles: degrees of conformance (strict vs. conforming), conformance by feature, registry conformance profiles, conformance labels, and the Implementation Conformance Statement (ICS) mechanism.
• UML and specification style: use of UML class diagrams plus textual descriptions to specify classes, associations, constraints and package dependencies.
• Constraints and association classes: formal constraints (Constraint_Set and subclasses), association classes for linking value meanings, permissible values, and subsets.
• Examples and annexes: informative annexes include a consolidated class hierarchy, example (e.g., Address as composite datatype/data element), and a partial consolidated metamodel to aid implementation.

Practical applications and users

Who uses ISO/IEC 11179‑31:2023:

• Data architects and metadata managers designing or operating Metadata Registries (MDRs).
• Enterprise data governance teams standardizing data definitions, permissible values, and semantics across systems.
• System integrators and solution vendors implementing MDR software, data catalogs or semantic registries.
• Standards bodies and public sector agencies seeking interoperable definitions for exchange and reporting.

Practical benefits:

• Enables semantic interoperability and consistent data interpretation across organizations.
• Supports automated tooling for metadata registration, validation and reuse.
• Facilitates reuse of datatypes, permissible values and derivation rules to reduce ambiguity and integration cost.

Related standards

• ISO/IEC 11179‑3 (referenced) - core MDR specification that ISO/IEC 11179‑31 extends.
• Other parts of the ISO/IEC 11179 series dealing with metadata registry principles and registration practice.

Keywords: ISO/IEC 11179-31:2023, metadata registry (MDR), metamodel, data specification registration, data element, conceptual domain, value domain, datatypes, permissible values, data governance, semantic interoperability.