Detailed descriptions of research data repositories are at the core of re3data. They increase a repository's visibility by enabling re3data users to find a suitable service for storing their data.

Repository descriptions are based on the re3data Metadata Schema, which covers various aspects of research data repositories, including general scope, content, policies as well as compliance with technical and metadata standards. Version 1.0 of the schema was published in 2012. As repositories evolved, the schema was expanded and adapted regularly across versions 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, and 3.0 (see Figure 1).

We are happy to announce the release of version 3.1 of the re3data Metadata Schema as of August 2021, which is now ready to be implemented in re3data’s technical infrastructure.

Version 3.1 introduces two major changes on top of manifold minor changes

certificate: Version 3.1 expands descriptions of repository certification. References to a document outlining details of the certificate as well as certification start and end date will describe the certification status in greater detail.

profile: The new property profile provides the opportunity to identify a subset of repositories indexed in re3data pre-defined by a third party based on community-developed criteria. Each profile has to provide a URL outlining the selection criteria.

Feedback provided by the repository community via workshops, interviews, poster presentations, conference papers, and personal communication has accompanied every step of the schema development. In a public request for comments preceding the release of version 3.1, we received more than 150 comments. We thank the repository community for their valuable contributions; some suggestions could already be implemented in version 3.1. All remaining suggestions will be discussed and considered for following revisions.