AxiomOrdo Regulatory Data Standard (ARDS) is the open, machine-readable interoperability framework for regulatory compliance artefacts. One schema. Any regulator. Any platform.
Free to implement · Openly governed · AOSL-1.0 licensed
Regulatory compliance generates mountains of data — emission measurements, obligation records, audit trails, verdicts. Today that data is locked in proprietary formats, siloed by vendor, and incomprehensible across borders. ARDS fixes that.
ARDS defines canonical JSON schemas for every artefact in the regulatory compliance lifecycle. If it has an ARDS schema, it can be read by any ARDS-conformant tool — today and in ten years.
Six progressive conformance levels let implementors signal exactly how ARDS-compatible their tools are — from basic schema validity all the way to full platform certification.
ARDS is governed by the AxiomOrdo Standards Board with open working groups, a published RFC process, and a user council. Anyone can propose. AxiomOrdo chairs.
ARDS defines the complete lifecycle of a compliance record, from raw obligation through to audited package.
Captures a single regulatory obligation — the rule, the target entity, the applicable period, and the applicable domain pack. The anchor for everything that follows.
A structured record of evidence supporting compliance — measurement data, certificates, declarations, lab reports. Carries provenance and verification status.
The formal outcome: compliant, non-compliant, or under-review. Links directly to the obligation record and the evidence used to reach the verdict.
A machine-readable graph of provenance links connecting obligations, evidence, and verdicts. Enables automated audit trails and regulator-ready exports.
A composite envelope containing obligation, evidence, and verdict in a single portable document. The standard submission format for cross-border regulatory filings.
A sealed, signed collection of all artefacts for a given entity and period. Designed for regulator submission and long-term archival with cryptographic integrity.
Six tiers, each building on the last. Implementors self-declare or seek AxiomOrdo certification for levels 3–6.
| Level | Name | Key Requirement | Certification |
|---|---|---|---|
| L1 | Schema-Valid | Passes JSON Schema validation against the declared ARDS schema | Self-declare |
| L2 | ARDS Core Conformant | Implements full ards:meta envelope with all required fields |
Self-declare |
| L3 | ARDS Extended Conformant | Implements trace links, provenance chain, and domain-specific extensions | AxiomOrdo audited |
| L4 | ARDS Certified Generator | Tool produces ARDS artefacts at L3; passes full test suite | AxiomOrdo certified |
| L5 | ARDS Certified Consumer | Tool ingests and processes ARDS artefacts from any certified generator | AxiomOrdo certified |
| L6 | ARDS Certified Platform | End-to-end platform: generates, stores, traces, and exports ARDS artefacts | AxiomOrdo certified |
ARDS core schemas are extended by domain packs — regulation-specific schema families that add the fields, enumerations, and validation rules required by each regulatory regime.
FuelEU Maritime Regulation. GHG intensity, biofuel blending, shore power compliance. Covers vessels, voyages, and fleet aggregates.
View Schemas →EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. Embedded carbon declarations, installation records, CBAM certificates, and authorised declarant profiles.
View Schemas →PFAS substance restriction compliance. Substance identification, use-case exemptions, supply chain declarations, and phase-out schedules.
View Schemas →EU Emissions Trading System. Allocation records, surrender obligations, verified emissions, and registry transaction references.
View Schemas →Regulators demand interoperability. Enterprises demand auditability. Vendors demand portability. ARDS is the only standard built for all three.
ARDS Audit Packages carry cryptographic signatures, full provenance chains, and machine-readable metadata designed for automated regulatory ingestion.
AOSL-1.0 licence means any vendor can implement ARDS for free. The standard is openly governed. No lock-in. No licence fees. No permission required to build.
Semantic versioning and a published RFC process ensure ARDS evolves without breaking existing implementations. Your data stays readable for as long as the regulation lasts.
The ARDS v1.0 Specification (ARDS-SPEC-001) is the authoritative normative reference. It defines all artefact types, required fields, conformance requirements, and extension rules.
ARDS-SPEC-001 →Install ards-validate, the official CLI validator. Point it at any JSON file and get an instant conformance report against any ARDS level.
Certification from AxiomOrdo is the market signal that your tool meets the standard. Apply through the registry — founding-period pricing is available now.
Apply for Certification →Every ARDS artefact carries the ards:meta envelope. This is what L2 Core Conformance looks like.
{
"ards:meta": {
"ardsVersion": "1.0.0",
"schemaId": "https://schema.axiomordo.com/ards/1.0/fueleu/obligation-record.schema.json",
"schemaVersion": "1.0.0",
"artefactType": "RegulatoryObligationRecord",
"artefactId": "urn:uuid:3f8e4a21-7c1b-4d09-9e12-a5b6c7d8e901",
"producedAt": "2026-05-15T09:00:00Z",
"producerIdentity": {
"system": "ShipCompliance Pro",
"systemVersion": "3.1.0",
"organisation": "Nordic Maritime GmbH"
},
"regulatoryContext": {
"regulation": "FuelEU Maritime",
"regulatoryBody": "EMSA",
"jurisdiction": "EU",
"applicablePeriod": { "startDate": "2025-01-01", "endDate": "2025-12-31" }
}
},
"obligation": {
"obligationType": "GHG_INTENSITY_COMPLIANCE",
"targetEntity": { "entityType": "vessel", "entityId": "IMO:9876543" },
"thresholds": [{ "metric": "GHG_INTENSITY_WTW", "value": 91.16, "unit": "gCO2eq/MJ" }]
}
}The panel is being established to provide senior maritime operational scrutiny during the formative development of ARDS. The ARDS Maritime Founding Panel will examine how the AxiomOrdo Regulatory Data Standard represents, preserves and connects regulatory obligations, evidence, provenance, authority, human oversight, compliance conclusions and consequential decision records in maritime use.
Advisory status: panel members provide scrutiny and feedback. Ownership and publication authority remain with AxiomOrdo and the formally designated ARDS governance structure.
The panel is not a general-interest discussion group. It is intended for professionals whose judgement is already relied upon in consequential maritime decisions.
Appointment will be by invitation or direct selection. Pilot participation, commercial engagement or an expression of interest does not guarantee appointment.
Members may use the title ARDS Maritime Founding Panel Member. Subject to member consent, acknowledgement may appear in:
Approximately two hours per week during the initial ARDS development period.
The Meriden pilot tests the practical value and usability of the Maritime AI Readiness Framework. The ARDS panel scrutinises the emerging standard.
Strong pilot contribution may identify suitable candidates, but appointment remains separate, selective and based on the needs of the ARDS founding programme.
A limited number of senior Marine QHSE Managers, DPAs and equivalent maritime assurance leaders may be invited to join the nine-member ARDS Maritime Founding Panel. Appointment will recognise individuals whose experience and judgement can materially strengthen the credibility and operational relevance of ARDS.
Nine founding positions. Selected for professional standing, operational judgement and the ability to influence ARDS at the point of formation.
Express InterestWe are working with a small cohort of forward-looking compliance technology vendors to shape ARDS v1.1. Design partners get early access to domain packs, reduced certification fees, and a seat at the working group table.