Request for comment (RFC)

OGC Seeks Public Comment on v1.2 of OGC API – Environment Data Retrieval Standard – Part 1

The OGC API – EDR Standard makes it easier to efficiently access subsets of complex environmental or other spatiotemporal data through lightweight spatiotemporal queries via a simple, uniform Web interface.

Request Open: June 23, 2025 1:41 pm — July 23, 2025 12:00 am (15 days left) (AoE)

The Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) is seeking public comment on the candidate Version 1.2 of the OGC API – Environmental Data Retrieval (EDR) Standard – Part 1. The public comment period is open until July 23, 2025.

The OGC API — Environmental Data Retrieval (EDR) Standard provides a family of lightweight query interfaces for accessing spatiotemporal data resources. These resources can be queried using geometries such as Position, Radius, Area, Cube, Trajectory, Corridor, predefined Location or an existing data Item. A spatiotemporal data resource, in this context, refers to a dataset that can be sampled using the EDR query pattern geometries.

The EDR API Standard aims to:

  • Simplify access to a wide range of data through a uniform, well-defined, and simple Web interface.

  • Enable users to retrieve only the data they need, while hiding the complexity of underlying data storage systems.

 A major use case for the EDR API is to retrieve small subsets from large collections of environmental data, such as weather forecasts. However, many other types of data can also be accessed, provided the requested data is unambiguously specified using spatiotemporal coordinates.

The EDR API is fully consistent with the patterns of the OGC API family of standards and aims to provide a single set of simple-to-use query patterns. Use cases for EDR range from retrieving real or virtual time-series observations to sub-setting 4-dimensional data cubes along user-supplied sampling geometries. These query patterns do not attempt to satisfy the full functionality of other OGC standards but instead provide useful building blocks for composing APIs that satisfy a wide range of geospatial data use cases. By defining a small set of query patterns (with no requirement to implement all of them), the EDR API supports performance optimization and facilitates the development of robust, scalable infrastructures.

The EDR API Item query pattern provides a way of discovering and retrieving existing data objects available from the service.

With the OGC API family of standards, the OGC community has extended its suite of standards to include Resource Oriented Architectures and Web Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). These standards are based on a shared foundation, specified in the OGC API-Common Standard, which defines the resources and access paths that are specified by all OGC API Standards. This document extends that foundation to define the EDR API.

OGC Members interested in staying up to date on the progress of this standard, or contributing to its development, are encouraged to join the Standards Working Group via the OGC Portal.

The candidate OGC API – Environmental Data Retrieval – Part 1: Core v1.2 is fully compatible with V1.1 and makes minor improvements for usability and consistency. It is available for review and comment on the OGC Portal. Comments are due by July 23, 2025 , and should be submitted via the method outlined below.

To Comment:

Comments can be submitted to a dedicated email reflector for a period ending on the “Close request date” listed above. Comments received will be consolidated and reviewed by OGC members for incorporation into the document. Please submit your comments via this email address, using this Comments Template for the message body.

About OGC

The Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) is a membership organization dedicated to using the power of geography and technology to solve problems faced by people and the planet. OGC unlocks value and opportunity for its members through Standards, Innovation, and Collaboration. Our membership represents a diverse and active global community drawn from government, industry, academia, international development agencies, research & scientific organizations, civil society, and advocates.


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