ISO 19110:2016 PDF

Overview

ISO 19110:2016 - Geographic information: Methodology for feature cataloguing defines a standard methodology for creating, organizing and presenting feature catalogues that describe the types of geographic features represented in digital datasets. The standard focuses on the type level (not individual instances) and supports clear, multilingual, machine-readable descriptions so data producers and users share a common understanding of dataset content and meaning.

Key topics and requirements

• Feature catalogue structure: standard conceptual model and UML-based schema for documenting feature types, feature attributes, feature associations, feature inheritance and feature operations.
• Conformance classes: defined classes for the conceptual model, an XML implementation, and valid XML instance documents for feature-catalogue interchange.
• XML encoding and implementation rules: guidance aligned with ISO/TS 19139 and ISO/TS 19115-3 for interoperable XML representations.
• Multilingual management & global properties: mechanisms for handling multilingual descriptions and re-using global properties across many feature types.
• Annexes for practical use: normative and informative annexes include an abstract test suite, a feature catalogue conceptual schema and data dictionary, encoding description, management of catalogue registers, cataloguing examples, and transformation guidance for legacy catalogues.
• Scope limits: applicable to digital feature-type cataloguing; not concerned with representation of feature instances or portrayal schemas (excluded per ISO 19117). Feature catalogues are independent of Feature Concept Dictionaries (ISO 19126).

Practical applications & users

ISO 19110 is used to:

• Produce standardized feature catalogues for GIS datasets, national mapping, utility networks, environmental data, cadastral systems, and other geospatial data products.
• Harmonize or revise legacy catalogues and support dataset interoperability across organizations, projects, and countries.
• Serve as a basis for defining the universe of discourse for application schemas and for documenting dataset semantics in data specifications and contracts.

Typical users:

• GIS data producers and custodians (mapping agencies, municipalities, utilities)
• Data architects and metadata specialists creating application schemas (ISO 19109)
• System integrators, software developers and standards teams implementing XML exchanges
• Data stewards responsible for catalogue registers and multilingual metadata

Related standards

• ISO 19109 - Rules for application schema (application-schema linkage)
• ISO 19115‑1 / ISO/TS 19115‑3 - Metadata fundamentals and XML implementation
• ISO/TS 19139 - Metadata XML schema
• ISO 19126 - Feature Concept Dictionary (independent but related)
• ISO 19117 - Portrayal schemas (excluded from ISO 19110 scope)

Keywords: ISO 19110, feature catalogue, geographic information, feature types, GIS metadata, XML feature catalogue, feature cataloguing, application schema.