VDA 231‑301 provides a modular and standardized data model that enables reliable, machine‑readable exchange of material data between OEMs, suppliers, laboratories and IT systems, and is applicable beyond the automotive industry.

• About VDA 231‑301
• Modular Architecture
• Generic Schema
• Subschema Structure
• Governance & VDA Context
• Contribution & Collaboration

VDA 231‑301 defines an open, standardized data model for the digital management of material, substance and test data within material sampling and approval processes.

It is developed and maintained within the VDA Project Group
“Digitales Werkstoff‑Datenmanagement im Bemusterungsprozess”. (https://www.vda.de)

The development of the VDA 231‑301 data model was supported by scientific collaboration with
the Institute for Engineering Design and Industrial Design (IKTD) at the University of Stuttgart
(https://www.iktd.uni-stuttgart.de).

VDA 231‑301 enables consistent, machine‑readable and traceable data exchange
between OEMs, suppliers, laboratories and IT systems across organizational boundaries.

To support automation and integration into heterogeneous system landscapes,
the data model is based on a structured, JSON‑based format.

This allows standardized validation, efficient processing and reliable reuse
of material data throughout the automotive value chain and beyond.

VDA 231‑301 supports the digital transformation of material sampling and other material relevant data by:

• ✅ replacing heterogeneous documents with structured data
• ✅ enabling automation and system interoperability
• ✅ improving data quality, traceability and reuse
• ✅ aligning quality, regulatory and sustainability requirements
• ✅ providing an open, vendor‑neutral standard

This repository ecosystem is relevant for:

• OEMs and suppliers
• Laboratories and testing service providers
• Software vendors and IT platform providers
• Standardization and regulatory stakeholders
• Non‑automotive industries with comparable processes

No prior knowledge of VDA standards is required to get started.

If you are new to VDA 231‑301, follow these steps:

1. Read this page to understand scope and structure
2. Select the relevant subschema repository
3. Explore data models and examples
4. Integrate the recommendation or contribute to its development

VDA 231‑301 follows a modular architecture:

• a generic core schema providing reusable structures
• multiple domain‑specific subschemas for material, substance, test and requirement data

This ensures:

• long‑term stability for IT integrations
• clear separation of concerns
• flexible extension for future requirements

VDA 231‑301 follows a modular architecture with a stable generic core and domain‑specific subschemas.

VDA 231‑301 is organized into modular subschema repositories.
Each subschema covers a dedicated functional or regulatory domain.

👉 Detailed data models, figures and examples are provided within each subschema repository.

VDA 231‑301 is developed collaboratively within VDA structures.

• Technical collaboration takes place via GitHub
• Contributions are discussed in the VDA project group
• All repositories follow common rules for
  • contributions
  • code of conduct
  • security
  • licensing

Please see the respective
CONTRIBUTING.md, CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md and SECURITY.md files.

Released versions of subschemas are immutable.

If software depends on a specific subschema version,
that exact version will remain accessible at the same location.

This provides planning security for long‑term system integrations.

There is no individual support email.

Support and discussions are provided via:

• GitHub Issues
• the VDA Project Group meetings and collaboration formats

VDA 231‑301 – enabling trusted, digital material data exchange.