A central element of this work is ISO/IEC 20151 Information technology – Cloud computing and distributed platforms – Dataspace concepts and characteristics. The standard does not try to dictate architectures or technology stacks. Instead, it focuses on clarity. It defines what makes a data space a data space.
More concretely, a data space is an environment where multiple parties can share data in a trusted way. That trust is built on an agreed governance framework, supported by common policies, semantic models, standardised protocols, processes, and shared services.
Based on this understanding, ISO/IEC 20151 spells out which characteristics are essential and how governance, trust, and interoperability fit together in practice. The result is a shared vocabulary that helps different initiatives align, even when their technical implementations differ.
Applicable across sectors and regions
During 2025, ISO 20151 moved through a decisive phase. International feedback was collected and reviewed through the formal ballot process, involving experts from multiple regions and regulatory contexts. This stage is critical in international standardization, as it tests whether a proposed definition holds up beyond its original environment.
This process strengthened the standard, because data spaces are inherently cross-border. A definition that only works within a single regulatory framework or market context does not scale globally. The refinement work in 2025 helped ensure that ISO 20151 remains applicable across sectors and regions, while still being specific enough to provide practical guidance. Avoiding both regional bias and excessive abstraction was a central concern during this phase.
Broader standardization landscape
At the same time, international standardization does not exist in isolation. In Europe, additional standards and specifications are being developed to support concrete regulatory requirements, including those linked to the Data Act. These efforts address more detailed questions related to compliance, implementation, and enforcement.
The challenge lies in connecting these layers without fragmenting the ecosystem. If global and regional standards evolve independently, organizations risk facing multiple, slightly different interpretations of what a data space is and how it should operate.
Throughout the last year, IDSA worked on mapping this broader standardization landscape. The aim is to make global standards provide a stable and consistent foundation, while regional standards build on top of that foundation to support specific legal and regulatory needs without creating parallel or conflicting definitions.
Building a shared view
Another important outcome of the year was the recognition that no single organization can track standardization developments worldwide. Data spaces are evolving in different regions at different speeds, influenced by local policy priorities and market structures. Contributions from regional experts and institutions therefore remain essential.
Building a shared view of what is happening across regions helps avoid blind spots and conflicting assumptions. It also makes it easier to identify where alignment already exists and where further coordination is needed, before divergences become structural.
At the beginning of 2026, ISO/IEC 20151 stands close to completion. More importantly, it stands as a stable reference point that other assets, such as specifications, frameworks, and certification approaches, can align with. As data spaces mature, the value of such a reference increases. It reduces ambiguity, supports procurement and policy alignment, and allows ecosystems to focus less on defining what a data space is and more on making it work in practice.
