Published on 8 May 2026
News
News 2026
Today, the migration to the new eCH-0271 geometadata profile was carried out on our production environment, geocat.ch PROD, and the new GeoNetwork version 4.4.9 was implemented. Please note the following:
- Currently, no metadata is being de-published due to invalidity. However, we would ask you to update your metadata and ensure that it complies with the eCH-0271 standard. This applies in particular to the newly mandatory elements ‘Resource contact’, ‘Reference system’ and ‘Keywords’.
- We carry out a validation of all directly entered metadata and export the results as a CSV file. We can send you the validation results for your metadata if required (geocat@swisstopo.ch).
- Harvested metadata: no monthly validation checks are currently being carried out. However, you can check your metadata using the following validation tool: https://web-swiss-geometa-validator.onrender.com/
- Harvested metadata: the metadata is currently being ‘on the fly' converted from the old schema to the new ’. Please let us know if you have already updated your metadata so that we can skip the automatic conversion during harvesting.
- If you provide metadata on your websites or data portals via an API query, please check that the query is still working or update it to reflect the latest XPATHs. The API endpoints remain unchanged.
- The metadata marked accordingly («opendata.swiss») will now be delivered in the new opendata.swiss profile and transformed to DCAT AP CH.
The presentation of the annual geocat.ch User Meeting 2026 is now available here: Events (presentations)
The new eCH-0271 geometadata profile has now been implemented on the geocat.ch test instance, and the metadata has been migrated and transformed (now in the ISO 19115.3-2018.che schema). The test phase ends on 30 April. Please note the following points regarding this test phase:
- Link to geocat.ch INT (test environment): geocat.ch [int]
- 14.4.2026: Start of the test phase: the login details for the test instance are the same as those for geocat.ch PROD: all geocat.ch partners can check, supplement and adapt their own metadata so that it is valid according to the new profile. Any transformation errors or bugs can and should also be reported.
- We ask everyone to report any errors, issues or other feedback to us via the following feedback tool: Link to Feedbacktool
- 30.4.2026: end of test phase
- 7.5.2026: Once any critical errors have been resolved, the new profile will be implemented in the production environment and the metadata will be transferred from INT to PROD.
There is currently no automated validation email for harvested metadata in the new ISO 19115.3-2018.che (eCH-0271) schema. However, it is possible to validate and check the metadata outside the application:
- Installation of the external validator (webapplication and API): Swiss Geometadata Validator ( Schema ISO19115-3.2018.che / Profil eCH-0271)
- Upload and Validation of XML-files with Render - Application loading
- Comparison with an XML example (in eCH-0271)
- Further Information about the swiss profile for geometadata and its implementation in XML.
The presentation is available here (in german): Schulungen (Präsentationen)
The documentation for the new eCH-0271 profile has been updated with an annotated XML file (in german): Handbuch geocat.ch (Geodaten)
1. Roadmap and key dates
- 24.03.2026: Training (in German) Topic: Introduction to the new eCH-0271 profile in geocat.ch. Registration required at geocat@swisstopo.ch.
- 10.04.2026: Deployment on the INT environment: The test environment (INT) will be updated and will subsequently only work with the new eCH-0271 profile. Start of the test phase for all partners. Access to the INT environment: https://geocat-int.dev.bgdi.ch/geonetwork/srv/fre/catalog.search#/home (username and password as on PROD). A feedback tool will be set up for reporting errors or issues.
- 23.04.2026: geocat user meeting: annual event on geocat.ch, providing information on the project’s progress and the new schema. Registration required at geocat@swisstopo.ch.
- 30.04.2026: End of the testing phase and feedback period on the INT environment.
- 07.05.2026: Deployment in the production environment (PROD) The new version will be deployed in https://www.geocat.ch/geonetwork/srv/fre/catalog.search#/home
2. Impact and information regarding local metadata
- a) During the test phase (10.04. - 30.04.):
- You can and should test and validate your metadata in the INT environment in eCH-0271 format. Important: Any changes you make to your metadata in the production environment (PROD) during this period must also be manually updated in the INT environment to ensure the consistency of the tests. API users can also make the changes in both instances by using the INT endpoint and the conversion when uploading (with the following parameters: «transformWith»:"schema:iso19115-3.2018.che:convert/fromISO19139.che"
- b) Freeze on changes in geocat.ch PROD (30.04. - 07.05.):
- Between the end of the testing phase and the final go-live, no metadata may be changed or added in the PROD and INT environments. Any changes made during this period may be overwritten during the deployment on 7 May. After the go-live, invalid metadata will remain published for a certain period of time.
- c) New mandatory fields:
- The new eCH-0271 profile introduces new mandatory fields that are essential for a metadata record to be valid. A list of these new fields and other changes is available on our website info.geocat.ch to help you with the update: MD adjustments to eCH-0271. The list also includes the adjustments carried out by geocat.ch via transformation or batch processing.
- d) Tests can already be done:
- You can already familiarise yourself with the new schema on our DEV environment. The DEV environment allows you to capture metadata or convert it from the iso19139.che format to eCH-0271. Access to the DEV environment: https://geocat-dev.dev.bgdi.ch/geonetwork/srv/fre/catalog.search#/home (username is the same as for PROD, password: here)
3. Impact and information regarding harvested metadata
- a) Temporary transformation:
- In the INT and PROD environments, your harvested metadata is first transformed on-the-fly from the iso19139.che format to eCH-0271 so that it can be displayed.
- b) Tests on INT:
- You can edit the harvested metadata directly within the INT environment to check its validity and make any necessary adjustments.
- c) transformation of the source files (S3 bucket):
- A new folder named "eCH-0271" will be created in your S3 buckets. This folder contains your metadata in the eCH-0271 format as an example. The ultimate aim is for your buckets to contain only metadata in the eCH-0271 format. Please let us know as soon as you have converted your source files to this new format so that we can harvest them directly without the need for a transformation step.
If you have any questions or would like further information, please do not hesitate to contact us at the following address: geocat@swisstopo.ch
The following page now provides a list of the mandatory elements of eCH-0271, as well as the changes compared to the former GM03 geometadata model: Handbuch geocat.ch (Geodaten)
The introduction of the new eCH-0271 standard and version 4.4.9 of GeoNetwork on geocat.ch will take place in three phases:
1. Deployment on geocat.ch INT: 9 April 2026 – It will no longer be possible to use INT as a test environment for your metadata using the old schema.
2. Test phase on geocat.ch INT: from 10 April 2026 to 30 April 2026 – We invite you to test and verify the transformation of your metadata to the new eCH-0271 schema and to report any issues to us.
3. Deployment on geocat.ch PROD: 7 May 2026 – Rectification of critical errors identified during the test phase. No changes may be made in PROD on 7 and 8 May 2026 to prevent the loss of your changes.
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