Keywords / Topics:
JSON Schema · Material Data · Digital Standards · Interoperability ·
Automotive · OEM Supplier Data Exchange · PLM · QMS · LIMS ·
Quality Management · Regulatory Compliance
VDA 231‑301 VDA 231‑301 is an open JSON‑based data standard for digital material, substance and test data exchange, enabling interoperability between OEMs, suppliers, laboratories and IT platforms across and beyond the automotive industry.
- About VDA 231‑301
- Modular Architecture
- Generic Schema
- Subschema Structure
- Governance & VDA Context
- Contribution & Collaboration
VDA 231‑301 defines an open, standardized, and vendor-neutral data model for the digital management of material, substance, and test data. Originally developed to streamline material sampling and approval processes in the automotive industry, it has evolved into a flexible schema for the digitalization of materials information — easily adaptable to diverse use cases through sub-schemas.
It is developed and maintained within the VDA Project Group
“Digitales Werkstoff‑Datenmanagement im Bemusterungsprozess”.
(https://www.vda.de)
The recommendation VDA 231‑301 benefits from scientific collaboration with
the Institute for Engineering Design and Industrial Design (IKTD) at the University of Stuttgart
(https://www.iktd.uni-stuttgart.de).
🔗 Related academic publications and research context: https://www.iktd.uni-stuttgart.de/forschung/publikationen/
VDA 231‑301 enables consistent, machine‑readable and traceable data exchange
across OEMs, suppliers, laboratories and IT systems - regardless of organizational boundaries.
Designed to support automation and seamless integration into heterogeneous IT landscapes, the data model is based on a structured, JSON‑based format.
This approach ensures:
- Standardized validation of material data
- Efficient processing across systems
- Reliable reuse of data throughout the automotive value chain and beyond
VDA 231‑301 supports the digital transformation of material sampling and other material relevant data by:
- replacing heterogeneous documents with structured data
- enabling automation and system interoperability
- improving data quality, traceability and reuse
- aligning quality, regulatory and sustainability requirements
- providing an open, vendor‑neutral standard
This repository ecosystem is relevant for:
- OEMs and suppliers
- Laboratories and testing service providers
- Software vendors and IT platform providers (PLM, QMS, LIMS)
- Standardization and regulatory experts
- Non‑automotive industries with comparable processes
No prior knowledge of VDA standards is required to get started.
If you are new to VDA 231‑301, follow these steps:
- Read this page to understand scope and structure
- Select the relevant subschema repository
- Explore data models and examples
- Integrate the recommendation or contribute to its development
VDA 231‑301 follows a modular architecture:
- a generic core schema providing reusable structures
- multiple domain‑specific subschemas for material, substance, test and requirement data
This ensures:
- long‑term stability for IT integrations
- clear separation of concerns
- flexible extension for future requirements
VDA 231‑301 follows a modular architecture with a stable generic core and domain‑specific subschemas.
VDA 231‑301 is organized into modular subschema repositories.
Each subschema covers a dedicated functional or regulatory domain.
| Subschema Repository | Focus (EN) | Fokus (DE) |
|---|---|---|
| VDA 231‑300 – Generic | ||
| https://github.com/VDA231-301/VDA231-300 | material and surface definition in 3D-models in jt | Material- und Oberflächendefinition in 3D-Modellen im jt |
| VDA 231‑301 – Generic | ||
| https://github.com/VDA231-301/VDA231-301 | Generic core definitions and reusable model elements | Generische Basismodelle und wiederverwendbare Strukturen |
| Substance Declaration | ||
| https://github.com/VDA231-301/VDA_231-301__SubstanceDeclaration | Structured substance and material composition data | Strukturierte Stoff‑ und Materialzusammensetzungen |
| VDA 275 – Formaldehyde | ||
| https://github.com/VDA231-301/VDA_231-301__VDA_275 | Formaldehyde emission test data | Formaldehyd‑Emissionsprüfungen |
| VDA 278 – VOC / Fogging | ||
| https://github.com/VDA231-301/VDA_231-301__VDA_278 | VOC and fogging emission test data | VOC‑ und Fogging‑Emissionsdaten |
| VDA 270 – Odor | ||
| https://github.com/VDA231-301/VDA_231-301__VDA_270 | Odor assessment based on panel testing | Geruchsprüfungen mit Panelbewertung |
| SEP 1240 | ||
| https://github.com/VDA231-301/VDA_231-301__SEP_1240 | Odor‑relevant material requirements | Geruchsrelevante Werkstoffanforderungen |
| EN 10204 | ||
| https://github.com/VDA231-301/VDA_231-301__EN_10204 | Digital inspection and acceptance certificates | Digitale Prüf‑ und Abnahmezeugnisse |
👉 Detailed data models, figures and examples are provided within each subschema repository.
VDA 231‑301 is developed collaboratively within VDA structures.
- Technical collaboration takes place via GitHub
- Contributions are discussed in the VDA project group
- All repositories follow common rules for
- contributions
- code of conduct
- security
- licensing
Please see the respective
CONTRIBUTING.md, CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md and SECURITY.md files.
Released versions of subschemas are immutable.
If software depends on a specific subschema version,
that exact version will remain accessible at the same location.
This provides planning security for long‑term system integrations.
Discussions are intended for general questions and exchange. There is no individual support email.
Support and discussions are provided via:
- GitHub Issues
- the VDA Project Group meetings and collaboration formats
⭐ If this repository is useful for your work, please consider starring it. 👀 Watch the repository to stay informed about updates and releases.
VDA 231‑301 – enabling trusted, digital material data exchange.
