A-SPEC - Proposed Changes for Feedback
A-SPEC is regularly updated to meet the A-SPEC Community's changing needs. Changes may be driven by new technology, emerging Community expectations, suggestions from the Community, or research undertaken by GISSA.
No changes are introduced into the A-SPEC specifications without full consultation with the Community — members are contacted directly for comment on anything proposed.
Before any changes go live, we like to share what's being proposed here. Below is a summary of what's under consideration for the next A-SPEC release, across all specifications.
Have thoughts? Get in touch via our Contact form — we'd love to hear them.
Last updated: 8 July 2026
Changes Under Consideration
| Topic | Proposed Change for New Release (to be confirmed) | Rationale | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Codelists |
Three (3) changes:
|
|
Draft — not yet open for comment |
| All Specifications |
Two (2) changes:
|
|
Draft — not yet open for comment |
| X-Spec |
Initial release of X-Spec for comment and adoption |
|
Draft — not yet open for comment |
The changes will be summarised according to what has been :-
- Removed
- Added, or
- Modified
Importnat Note: The A-SPEC Community has agreed to a phase-in period — typically six months from a specification's published date — before compliance with the new version becomes mandatory. Outside of this, all data must comply with the current specification, unless otherwise agreed to.
