Overview
ISO 19131:2022 - "Geographic information - Data product specifications" defines requirements and guidance for creating clear, interoperable specifications of geographic data products. Part of the ISO 19100 family, this second edition (2022) updates the original 2007 version and explicitly specifies XML encoding for data product specifications and provides an OWL representation of the underlying UML model (see Annex F). The standard is intended for data producers, data providers, service providers and users of geospatial data products.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Structure and content: Defines mandatory sections and recommended layout for a data product specification, including identification, scope, data content and structure, reference systems, data quality, capture/production, maintenance, portrayal, delivery, metadata and additional information.
- Conformance rules: Provides rules for how a data product specification shall be written to be fit for purpose and machine-readable.
- XML encoding: Specifies the XML encoding of data product specifications (normative), with an XML encoding description (Annex E) and an abstract test suite (Annex A).
- UML and OWL representations: Documents the UML model and offers an OWL representation (informative) to support semantic interoperability and automated processing.
- Use of existing datatypes: Reuses datatypes from related ISO 19100 family standards (for example ISO 19115-1 where applicable) to promote consistency across geospatial standards.
- Documented classes and elements: Includes detailed classes such as DataProductSpecification, IdentificationSection, DataContentAndStructureSection, DataQualitySection, DeliverySection, MetadataSection and others to standardize content elements.
Practical applications and users
- Who uses it: National mapping agencies, GIS data producers, commercial geospatial data providers, web service providers, system integrators, and data consumers who need interoperable product documentation.
- Practical value:
- Ensures consistent, machine-readable product specifications for cataloguing and discovery.
- Enables automated validation and conformance testing of data products against published specifications.
- Facilitates service delivery and data exchange by standardizing delivery formats, metadata, reference systems and portrayal rules.
- Supports semantic interoperability via the OWL representation for linked data and ontology-driven systems.
Related standards
- ISO 19100 family (geographic information standards) - ISO 19131 is aligned with and references other ISO 191xx standards.
- Uses datatypes from ISO 19115-1 (metadata) where appropriate.
ISO 19131:2022 is essential for organizations seeking rigorous, interoperable, and machine-actionable specifications for geographic data products. Keywords: ISO 19131, data product specifications, geographic information, XML encoding, OWL, UML, data quality, metadata, delivery.
