ISO 19160-4-2023 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 19160-4:2023 — Addressing — Part 4: International postal address components and template language. This international standard defines a hierarchical set of postal address components (elements, constructs and segments), codes for identifying components and sub-elements, and a formal, machine‑readable template language for rendering international postal addresses.

Abstract

Provides definitions and constraints for postal addressing, specifies postal address components organized into elements, constructs and segments, describes a mechanism for sub-elements, and specifies postal address rendering rules expressed as postal address templates. The document also defines a language suitable for computer processing to formally express postal address templates. It does not prescribe component lengths or value ranges and does not cover data protection requirements.

General information

• Status: Published
• Publication date: April 2023 (Edition 2)
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
• ICS / categories: 35.240.70 (IT applications in science; addressing / geographic information)
• Edition / version: Edition 2 (2023)
• Number of pages: 64

Scope

ISO 19160-4:2023 specifies the internationally applicable components of postal addresses and the rules and template language required to render those components into formatted addresses suitable for postal and logistical use across jurisdictions. It focuses on the conceptual components and rendering mechanisms rather than local formatting conventions or element length/value constraints, and it is intended to be used where consistent, interoperable international address exchange and automated rendering are required.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition and taxonomy of postal address components at three hierarchical levels: elements, constructs and segments.
• Rules and constraints on component usage (which components are required or optional in a template).
• Mechanism for creating sub-elements to represent subdivisions (e.g., door type/indicator, multiple administrative levels).
• Identification codes for elements and sub-elements to support unambiguous exchange and processing.
• Postal address rendering rules: ordering of output lines, selection conditions, concatenation and formatting rules.
• A formal template language for machine-readable expression of rendering templates suitable for software implementation.
• Statement that the standard does not define component lengths, value ranges, or data protection requirements (user responsibility).

Typical use and users

Used by postal operators, national and local addressing authorities, GIS and address data managers, logistics and e‑commerce platforms, software developers building address validation/formatting tools, data integrators, and organizations engaged in cross‑border mail or parcel addressing. It is intended for stakeholders who need consistent component-level address definitions and machine‑readable templates for automated rendering and exchange.

Related standards

Part of the ISO 19160 multi‑part addressing family. Key related documents include ISO 19160-1 (Addressing — Part 1: Conceptual model) and ISO 19160-3 (Addressing — Part 3: Address data quality). ISO/TC 211 is the responsible technical committee for the addressing series.

Keywords

addressing, postal address components, address template, address rendering, address elements, address constructs, address segments, machine‑readable templates, ISO 19160, ISO/TC 211, international postal addressing, address formatting

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 19160-4:2023 is the ISO standard that defines international postal address components and a template language for rendering postal addresses in a machine‑processable way.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the conceptual components of postal addresses (elements/constructs/segments), codes for identifying components and sub‑elements, rules for selecting and ordering components when rendering an address, and a formal template language for expressing rendering templates. It does not set limits on component lengths or address value ranges, nor does it replace national addressing rules where those apply.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Postal operators, national addressing authorities, GIS and address data managers, logistics and e‑commerce providers, software developers for address validation/formatting, and any organization needing interoperable international address rendering and exchange.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: Current — Edition 2 was published in April 2023. It supersedes the first edition, ISO 19160-4:2017, which has been withdrawn and replaced by this 2023 edition.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — ISO 19160 is a multi‑part series on addressing. Relevant parts include ISO 19160-1 (conceptual model), ISO 19160-2 (assigning and maintaining addresses), ISO 19160-3 (address data quality), and ISO 19160-4 (postal address components and template language).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Postal address components; address template language; address rendering; address elements, constructs, segments; international addressing; machine‑readable templates; ISO 19160.