NIEM Conformance - Conformance Rules

Conformance Rules

The rules for NIEM conformance are as follows:

1. Instances must validate against the set of NIEM reference schemas. Schemas conformant to the NIEM must import and reference the NIEM Schema namespace they need to use (NIEM Core, Justice, etc.) or a correct NIEM Schema subset. Note that importing the NIEM Justice Domain namespace will cascade to importing NIEM Core. Also, note that if an instance validates against a correct subset of the NIEM reference schemas, then it will validate against the NIEM reference schemas.
2. If the appropriate component (type, element, attribute, etc.) required for an IEPD exists in the NIEM, use that component. Do not create a duplicate component of one that already exists.
3. Be semantically consistent. Use NIEM components in accordance with their definitions. Do not use a NIEM element to encapsulate data other than what its definition describes.
4. Follow the Information Exchange Package Documentation (IEPD) Development Lifecycle as described in the IEPD Requirements and define all required artifacts at each step.
5. Adhere to the NIEM Naming and Design Rules (NDR) to ensure correct, consistent schema development.