# Data, Services & Offerings Descriptions

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**Note:** This page is currently being updated to align with the DSSC Blueprint 3.0 as well as the iSHARE Framework 3.0. An updated version will be published soon.
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According to the DSSC, a cornerstone of any data space is the precise and comprehensive description of[ offerings](https://dssc.eu/space/BVE2/1071253231/Data+Space+Offering). These offering descriptions are created using machine-readable metadata, making them accessible to both humans and software systems, thus facilitating seamless interaction and automation. They encompass metadata for various elements, including[ data products](https://dssc.eu/space/BVE2/1071251920/5+Data+Products+and+Transactions), services, data licenses, usage terms, and additional details such as commercial terms and pricing, all systematically organised within a catalogue. High-quality metadata plays a critical role in ensuring the discoverability, interoperability, and usability of data products and services, forming the foundation for an efficient data sharing ecosystem.

<figure><img src="https://3616791469-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FjHLUr2NWnUxvFTGYU4AT%2Fuploads%2FNSXFL0i4lGH6xkBTfmGJ%2FScreenshot%202025-11-07%20121417.png?alt=media&#x26;token=740f0a57-7d14-4cd7-99dc-5c78e7f638b1" alt=""><figcaption><p>Figure 17.Lifecycle of a Data Space Offering.</p></figcaption></figure>

For participants to find and use what a data space offers, these [offerings](https://dssc.eu/space/BVE2/1071253231/Data+Space+Offering) must be clearly described. Good descriptions reduce misunderstandings, support automation, and make it easier for new participants to onboard.

* Descriptions should be machine-readable, so both people and systems can interpret them in the same way.
* They typically include details such as:
  * What the dataset or [data products](https://dssc.eu/space/BVE2/1071251920/5+Data+Products+and+Transactions), or service contains,
  * How it can be accessed,
  * Which policies or licenses apply?
  * (Optionally) commercial terms like pricing or usage tiers.
* High-quality metadata ensures that offerings are discoverable, interoperable, and usable across different participants and domains.

The iSHARE Trust Framework does not prescribe a specific metadata model for describing offerings. Each data space is free to define or adopt the standards that fit best, but doing so in a structured and consistent way is key to building an efficient and trustworthy ecosystem.&#x20;

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More information can be found in [\[The DSSC Description\]](https://dssc.eu/space/BVE2/1071256347/Data,+Services,+and+Offerings+Descriptions).
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Data, Services & Offerings Descriptions connects closely with other building blocks:

* **Publication and Discovery:** Publishes and discovers datasets using machine-readable descriptions.(e.g. DCAT)
* **Provenance and Traceability:** Tracks who created or changed datasets for transparency and quality.
* **Data Space Offering:** Includes metadata like usage, quality, access, and pricing in data products.
* **Data Models:** Defines dataset structure, formats, and standards.
* **Access & Usage Policies and Control:** Ensures secure access using embedded policies.
* **Value Creation Services:** Describes services like AI models, anonymization, and orchestration.
* **Regulatory Compliance:** Data and services must comply with laws like the GDPR and Data Act. Descriptions should include these rules to inform users about applicable regulations.
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The guiding questions can help in the co-creation process and in defining this building block, so please see the next section.&#x20;
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