This document provides rules and guidelines for the classification and designation of information containers based on their inherent content. This document is applicable for information used in the life cycle of a system, e.g., industrial plants, construction entities and equipment.

This document defines classes of information and their information kind classification code (ICC). The defined classes and codes provided are used as values associated with metadata, e.g., in information management systems (see IEC 82045-1 and IEC 82045-2). The rules, guidelines and classes are general and are applicable to all technical areas, for example, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, construction engineering and process engineering. They can be used for systems based on different technologies or for systems combining several technologies.

This document also has the status of a horizontal publication in accordance with IEC Guide 108. It is intended for use by technical committees in preparation of publications related to classification and designation of information. IEC 81355-1:2024 cancels and replaces the second edition of IEC 61355-1 published in 2008. This edition constitutes a technical revision.

This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to IEC 61355-1:2008:

a) focusing on classification of information rather that classification of document kinds;

b) introduced a classification scheme based on inherent content of information;

c) introduced a distinction between an information container and a document, the latter being for human perception;

d) introduction of information kind classification code (ICC), replacing document kind classification code (DCC);

e) introduced structuring of information containers;

f) introduced an information model of the concepts dealt with;

g) introduced a conversion table for merging from the use of DCC to the use of ICC.