Premis is a standard for expressing preservation metadata. This model applies equally to those who preserve and those who transmit information to be preserved.

It mainly defines a data dictionary useful for describing preservation metadata. It is possible to comply with PREMIS by using the vocabulary to express metadata even if the proposed XML schema is not used. It is possible to use PREMIS within the METS framework, which is already being done by some electronic archiving system publishers. This standard is hosted and maintained by the Library of Congress.

The PREMIS data dictionary is designed to be independent of any technical implementation issues. However, the PREMIS Editorial Committee provides users with two modes of expression:

• an XML schema for expressing PREMIS in XML
• an OWL ontology enabling preservation metadata to be exposed in accordance with semantic web principles.

To access: https://www.loc.gov/standards/premis/

For more information: http://www.loc.gov/standards/premis/Understanding-PREMIS_french.pdf