PDF/A is an ISO standard that specifies the use of PDF for the long-term preservation of compound documents as electronic data. The key requirement for PDF/A documents is complete self-containment such that all information necessary for consistent long-term display is embedded in the file. PDF/A-1 is currently based on Adobe’s PDF 1.4. PDF/A-2 and PDF/A-3 are based on ISO 32000-1 – PDF 1.7.
PDF/A addresses these primary areas of concern:
- Offers consistent, long-term retrieval and rendering
- Includes document metadata for search and retrieval
- Engineered for reliable migration and future compatibility
- Developed and maintained by PDF/A working group
Based on the needs of, and includes, government and industry participants such as Adobe, Appligent, US Courts, NARA, IBM, IRS, HP, Honeywell, Xerox, Callas, etc. The standard is managed by AIIM and NPES on behalf of the ISO.
See PDF/A for more information.