Research and analysis

Research into data standards for Smart Data

Research evaluating how existing data standards can support future Smart Data schemes.

• From: Department for Business and Trade
• Published: 21 November 2025

Documents

Data standards for Smart Data

PDF, 959 KB, 91 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email digital@businessandtrade.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Details

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) commissioned the Public Service Consultants (PSC) to complete research to:

• understand the current state of data standards in key sectors of interest (finance, energy, property, retail)
• understand the suitability of the current state to facilitate the development of new Smart Data schemes
• outline a set of design principles to guide the development of data standards for Smart Data

The report includes the findings from a literature review and stakeholder interviews, and outlines 9 principles for:

• why a data standard should be created
• who should be involved in creating and maintaining them
• how they should be created
• what a fit-for-purpose standard should contain

Published 21 November 2025