Relationship to ISO 19135
ferin.org is an interpretation companion to ISO 19135:2026, providing practical guidance that complements the standard.
About ISO 19135:2026
ISO 19135:2026 is the third edition of the International Standard for Information Registration. It defines the FERIN framework as:
A framework for managing information in registers that serves both human and machine consumers, providing persistent identification, controlled evolution, and complete change history.
The standard is developed by ISO/TC 211 (Geographic Information/Geomatics) but the FERIN framework is designed to be applicable across all domains, not just geographic information.
What the Standard Covers
ISO 19135:2026 specifies:
- Conceptual model: UML-based model of registers, concepts, content, and their relationships
- Register types: Five conformance classes based on capabilities
- Governance model: Roles, responsibilities, and processes for managing registers
- Actions: Operations for adding, changing, invalidating, and superseding content
- Status model: How content status is tracked and transitions occur
- Commitments: Requirements for access, persistence, and transparency
- Conformance: How to claim and verify compliance
What ferin.org Adds
The standard provides what must be done. ferin.org provides how and why:
| Standard | ferin.org |
|---|---|
| Defines requirements | Explains how to meet them |
| Specifies conformance | Provides implementation patterns |
| Uses formal language | Provides plain-language interpretation |
| States what must happen | Explains decision frameworks |
| Gives abstract examples | Shows concrete implementations |
| Defines terms | Provides context and anti-patterns |
Areas of Interpretation
ferin.org focuses on areas where the standard requires interpretation:
Ambiguities
Some requirements are stated abstractly and need practical interpretation (e.g., "major impact on use" for substantive changes).
Gaps
Some practical scenarios aren't fully addressed (e.g., bulk import, emergency changes, cross-register references).
Implicit Knowledge
Some concepts assume prior knowledge (e.g., terminology management, versioning philosophy, governance design).
Implementation Questions
Practical questions arise during implementation (e.g., database mapping, performance, API design).
Getting the Standard
ISO 19135:2026 is available for purchase from the ISO Store:
Enosema Foundation
This site is owned and published by the Enosema Foundation, which contributes to the development of the FERIN framework. Visit enosema.org for:
- Information about the Foundation's mission
- FERIN-related events and training
- Community resources and discussions
- Consulting and implementation support
About the FERIN Name
The abbreviation FERIN is invented by Ronald Tse and Reese Plews.
FERIN stands for Framework for Extensible Registration of INformation. The name and framework are made available for broad adoption through the Enosema Foundation.