ISO 19111-2019 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 19111:2019 — Geographic information — Referencing by coordinates. This International Standard defines a conceptual schema and the minimum information required to describe spatial referencing by coordinates (coordinate reference systems and coordinate operations), including spatial, parametric and temporal reference systems and support for dynamic (time‑dependent) and local reference systems.

Abstract

ISO 19111:2019 provides a conceptual model for describing coordinate reference systems (CRS) and the operations that convert or transform coordinates between them. It specifies the minimum dataset needed to define one-, two- and three-dimensional spatial CRSs, parametric and temporal CRSs, dynamic CRSs (including tectonic motion and moving platforms), and mixed systems. The standard also allows additional descriptive metadata and defines the schema for coordinate operations (transformations and conversions) used by data producers and users of geographic information.

General information

• Status: Published (current edition confirmed).
• Publication date: January 2019 (Edition 3). Amendments published 2021 and 2023; last reviewed/confirmed in 2024.
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO), technical committee ISO/TC 211.
• ICS / categories: 35.240.70 (Geographic information/Geomatics).
• Edition / version: Edition 3 (2019).
• Number of pages: 143.

Scope

This standard specifies a conceptual schema to describe referencing by coordinates. It applies to digital geographic data (and can be extended to maps, charts and textual documents) and supports: spatial CRSs (global, regional, local), parametric and temporal CRSs, dynamic CRSs with time evolution (e.g., crustal motion or moving platforms), and mixed systems. It also describes the information required to define coordinate operations (transformations and conversions) and the optional coordinate reference system metadata needed to document CRSs and coordinate operations.

Key topics and requirements

• Conceptual schema for coordinate reference systems (CRS): definition of components and relationships (datum, coordinate system, axes, units, etc.).
• Minimum set of attributes required to unambiguously identify and define a CRS.
• Definitions and models for coordinate operations: transformations and conversions, including parameters, accuracy, and method descriptions.
• Support for spatial, parametric and temporal reference systems, and for combined/mixed CRSs.
• Support for dynamic/time-dependent CRSs (e.g., tectonic motion or moving platforms) including time-related parameters where needed.
• Provision for additional descriptive metadata for CRSs and coordinate operations (identifiers, names, scope, area of use, remarks, usage constraints, accuracy).
• Interoperability orientation: data model suitable for implementation in metadata, registry and exchange formats (e.g., XML/GML implementations, CRS registries).

Typical use and users

Used by national mapping and cadastral agencies, surveying and geodetic organizations, GIS and mapping software developers, data custodians, standards bodies, geospatial data integrators and registries (e.g., CRS and parameter registries), and anyone who must define, document or convert coordinate data reliably across systems and over time.

Related standards

Closely related ISO/TC 211 standards include ISO 19107 (Spatial schema), ISO 19112 (Spatial referencing by geographic identifiers), ISO 19115 (Metadata) and its parts (including ISO 19115‑3), and ISO/TS and XML schema implementations that encode ISO 19111 concepts. ISO 19111:2019 supersedes ISO 19111:2007; amendments to the 2019 edition were issued in 2021 and 2023. The standard is commonly used together with CRS registries and geodetic parameter datasets maintained by community/regional bodies.

Keywords

coordinate reference system (CRS), coordinate operation, coordinate transformation, coordinate conversion, datum, geodetic datum, spatial referencing, temporal CRS, parametric CRS, dynamic CRS, metadata, EPSG, geodesy, GIS interoperability.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 19111:2019 is the ISO standard that defines a conceptual model and the minimum information required to describe spatial referencing by coordinates (coordinate reference systems and coordinate operations).

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the definition of CRSs (spatial, parametric, temporal, mixed), the information needed to identify and describe them, and the model for coordinate operations (transformations and conversions), including support for time‑dependent/dynamic CRSs and associated metadata.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: GIS and mapping software developers, surveyors, national mapping and geodetic agencies, data stewards, standards and registry maintainers, and any organization that creates, shares or converts coordinate‑referenced data.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 19111:2019 (Edition 3) replaced ISO 19111:2007. The 2019 edition is the current published edition (published January 2019) and has received amendments in 2021 and 2023; it was reviewed and confirmed as current in 2024.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes. ISO 19111 is part of the ISO 19100 series (standards for geographic information) and is commonly used alongside related standards such as ISO 19107 (spatial schema), ISO 19112 (geographic identifiers) and ISO 19115 (metadata).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Coordinate reference system, coordinate operation, datum, transformation, conversion, geodetic parameters, spatial referencing, temporal CRS, dynamic CRS, metadata.