ISO/IEC 25012:2008 defines a general data quality model for data retained in a structured format within a computer system.

ISO/IEC 25012:2008 can be used to establish data quality requirements, define data quality measures, or plan and perform data quality evaluations. It could be used, for example,

• to define and evaluate data quality requirements in data production, acquisition and integration processes,
• to identify data quality assurance criteria, also useful for re-engineering, assessment and improvement of data,
• to evaluate the compliance of data with legislation and/or requirements.

ISO/IEC 25012:2008 categorizes quality attributes into fifteen characteristics considered by two points of view: inherent and system dependent. Data quality characteristics will be of varying importance and priority to different stakeholders.

ISO/IEC 25012:2008 is intended to be used in conjunction with the other parts of the SQuaRE series of International Standards, and with ISO/IEC 9126-1 until superseded by ISO/IEC 25010.