Collection

Metadata standards for sharing and publishing data

The Data Standards Authority has published standards and guidance on how to improve data sharing across government.

• From: Government Digital Service
• Published: 7 August 2020
• Last updated: 22 April 2026 — See all updates

Open Standards to use

• Using metadata to describe data shared within government
• Using metadata to describe data assets in a data catalogue
• Using metadata to describe tabular data for publishing
• Using metadata to describe CSV data

Guidance

• Record information about data sets you share with others
  • 7 August 2020
  • Guidance
• Identify and record critical data assets
  • 16 April 2026
  • Guidance
• Record metadata to describe critical data assets
  • 16 April 2026
  • Guidance
• Publishing your tabular data
  • 7 August 2020
  • Guidance
• Using CSV file format
  • 12 March 2021
  • Guidance
• Develop your data and APIs using a reference architecture
  • 22 March 2021
  • Guidance

Published 7 August 2020

Last updated 22 April 2026 + show all updates

1. 22 April 2026

   Added link to the page: Identify and record critical data assets Added link to the page: Record metadata to describe critical data assets

2. 28 November 2023

   Added a link to the page: Essential Shared Data Assets and Data Ownership in Government

3. 28 September 2023

   Added a link to the page: Using metadata to describe data assets in a data catalogue

4. 24 March 2021

   Addition of guidance - 'Develop your data and APIs using a reference architecture'

5. 12 March 2021

   Added "Using CSV file format" guidance to collection

6. 7 August 2020

   First published.