ISO 14649-111:2010 specifies the data elements describing cutting tool data for milling machine tools and machining centres, which work together with the process data for milling machine tools and machining centres specified in ISO 14649-11. They can be used as criteria for selecting one of several operations; they do not describe complete information on a particular tool. Therefore, leaving out optional attributes gives the controller more freedom to select from a larger set of tools.

ISO 14649-111:2010 also specifies the information to be provided in the tool set-up sheet: tool identifier; tool type; tool geometry; application-dependent expected tool life.

The following data types are outside its scope: normative tool life; tool location in the tool changer; adaptive items also know as tool holders or tool clamping devices; tools for other technologies, such as turning, grinding and electrical discharge machining (EDM).

ISO 14649-111:2010 uses the EXPRESS language as specified in ISO 10303-11.