GENERALITIES. Terminology. Standardization. Documentation Standards Summary - May 2025

Looking back at May 2025, the Generalities, Terminology, Standardization, and Documentation sector saw a focused standardization effort with the publication of one pivotal standard: EN ISO 22739:2025. As blockchain and distributed ledger technologies continue to advance across industries, establishing shared vocabulary and consistent terminology becomes fundamental. This monthly overview distills the core themes, implications, and practical considerations from the month’s publication, serving as an essential resource for professionals seeking to stay aligned with international best practices.

Monthly Overview: May 2025

May 2025’s activity in the Generalities, Terminology, Standardization, and Documentation domain reflects a strategic reinforcement of terminology within emerging digital technologies. The primary publication—EN ISO 22739:2025—brings together international consensus on the vocabulary of blockchain and distributed ledger technologies (DLT). This update marks a continued recognition that effective adoption and interoperability hinge on precise, shared definitions.

While the month featured a relatively modest volume of new standards—just a single, but highly consequential vocabulary standard—the choice and timing are notable. The update aligns with accelerated governmental and commercial interest in blockchain, as organizations invest in secure digital assets and decentralized applications. Compared to broader publication cycles that may address a mix of topics, May 2025’s spotlight on DLT terminology signals consolidation and maturity, paving the way for more advanced sector-specific standards in the near future.

Standards Published This Month

EN ISO 22739:2025 - Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technologies – Vocabulary

Blockchain and distributed ledger technologies – Vocabulary (ISO 22739:2024)

The standard EN ISO 22739:2025, adopted in Europe from ISO 22739:2024, defines fundamental terminology for blockchain and distributed ledger technologies. Developed by CEN and ISO/TC 307, this second edition supersedes the previous 2022 version, incorporating new terms and updating key definitions to reflect current technological and regulatory landscapes.

Scope and Purpose: This standard establishes clear, harmonized vocabulary related to blockchain, digital assets, consensus mechanisms, distributed ledgers, DLT systems, nodes, decentralization, oracles, cryptoassets, smart contracts, and much more. By referencing and aligning with terminology rules from ISO/TC 37, it ensures clarity, coherence, and compatibility across related documents, technical specifications, and industry guidelines.

Key Requirements and Specifications:

• Defines over 90 essential terms—including foundational concepts like ‘block’, ‘blockchain’, ‘consensus’, ‘cryptoasset’, and ‘decentralized application’ (Dapp)
• Clarifies distinctions between DLT-related terms (e.g., ‘block’, ‘hash link’, ‘oracle’, ‘validator’, ‘ledger’, etc.)
• Follows the rules and guidelines of ISO/TC 37 for terminology consistency
• Facilitates adoption across public and private sectors, including regulatory, financial, and technology contexts
• Provides cross-references to ISO and IEC terminology databases, supporting broader alignment with global standards

Applicability: The document is intended for:

• Technology providers, developers, and solution architects building or integrating with blockchain/DLT solutions
• Regulators, auditors, and policy makers seeking common language for drafting guidelines or compliance rules
• Academics and researchers ensuring terminological accuracy in publications
• Users and customers of blockchain platforms, particularly those in banking, IT security, asset management, and supply chain
• Standards development organizations for referencing and updating related guidance

Broader Regulatory and Industry Context: By unifying terminology, EN ISO 22739:2025 supports:

• International operability and regulatory harmonization—a critical factor for cross-border digital commerce and asset transfer
• Greater transparency and auditability in smart contract execution and DLT-based financial services
• Reduction of misinterpretation risk in compliance frameworks and security policies
• Foundational guidance for ongoing and forthcoming standardization efforts within various industries leveraging blockchain

Notable Features and Changes:

• Revision and inclusion of new definitions to address advances in DLT, consensus models, digital identity, and decentralized applications
• Enhanced alignment with emerging real-world use cases (e.g., oracles, bridges, cryptoassets)
• Expanded guidance for terminology usage by a diverse audience spanning business, regulatory, and technical communities

Key highlights:

• Delivers more than 90 harmonized, up-to-date DLT and blockchain-specific terms
• Establishes a shared vocabulary vital for international, multi-stakeholder projects
• Supports regulatory clarity and interoperability in fast-evolving digital ecosystems

Access the full standard:View EN ISO 22739:2025 on iTeh Standards

Common Themes and Industry Trends

The May 2025 publication of EN ISO 22739:2025 underscores several broader trends:

• Emphasis on Digital Trust: As blockchain and DLT adoption accelerate across sectors, there is a heightened need for common, internationally recognized language. This supports cross-border collaboration, regulatory coherence, and enterprise risk mitigation.
• Standard Foundation for Future Development: Unified vocabulary is a precursor to drafting subsequent technical, security, and interoperability standards—as organizations mature in blockchain deployments, establishing foundational terminology reduces complexity and miscommunication.
• Growing Enterprise Integration: The standard’s broad scope, encompassing everything from smart contracts to decentralized identity management, reflects the expanding application of DLT in banking, IT security, supply chain, and beyond.
• Evidence of Iterative Refinement: The update over the previous 2022 version demonstrates a commitment to keeping pace with technology evolution and user feedback, solidifying trust in standards as living documents.

This month, while only a single standard was published, the impact is magnified given blockchain’s cross-industry relevance—from finance and IT security to identity management and decentralized applications.

Compliance and Implementation Considerations

Organizations engaging with blockchain or DLT—whether as adopters, providers, or regulators—should view EN ISO 22739:2025 as a critical reference:

• Adopt Vocabulary Proactively: Update internal documentation, glossaries, and training materials to reflect the harmonized definitions. This is especially important for multinational teams and projects.
• Align Policies and Contracts: Legal, compliance, and security documents should reference EN ISO 22739:2025 terms to avoid ambiguity, which is key for audit readiness and regulatory compliance.
• Implementation Timeline: National standards bodies are required to adopt or endorse the standard by November 2025 at the latest. Organizations with ongoing DLT initiatives should prioritize early alignment to stay ahead of regulatory shifts.
• Integrate with Broader Standards: Use the standard as a foundation for designing interoperable, secure, and compliant DLT systems, especially in conjunction with related ISO, IEC, and CEN guidance on information security and data governance.

Resources for Getting Started:

• View EN ISO 22739:2025 on iTeh Standards
• Review prior versions to educate teams on terminology evolution
• Participate in national or sectoral standardization working groups for more context

Conclusion: Key Takeaways from May 2025

May 2025 brought a focused yet influential development in the Generalities, Terminology, Standardization, and Documentation sector. EN ISO 22739:2025 emerges as a cornerstone for organizations operating or planning to engage with blockchain and DLT ecosystems. Its harmonized vocabulary underpins clarity, facilitates interoperability, and strengthens compliance frameworks—critical in an era where regulatory scrutiny and cross-border digital transactions are intensifying.

For professionals across technical, compliance, governance, and procurement roles, aligning internal practices with this standard is both prudent and efficient. By proactively referencing and applying EN ISO 22739:2025, organizations position themselves for smoother integration, reduced risk, and industry leadership.

Professionals are encouraged to explore the full standard via iTeh Standards and ensure their teams, policies, and projects reflect the latest consensus terminology—laying a robust foundation for the future of blockchain-enabled business processes.

Explore the latest in blockchain and documentation standards:View EN ISO 22739:2025 on iTeh Standards