International Council on Archives

ICA

Promoting international cooperation for archives and archivists.

Professional Association Active

The International Council on Archives (ICA) is an international non-governmental organization that promotes international cooperation for archives and archivists. Established in 1948 with close partnership links to UNESCO, ICA groups together about 2,000 institutional members in 149 countries and territories. Its mission is to promote the conservation, development, and use of the world's archives. ICA is a founding member of the Blue Shield, which works to protect cultural heritage threatened by wars and natural disasters.

Standards (3)

General International Standard Archival Description

(ISAD(G))

Provides 26 elements for multilevel archival description, from fonds down to individual items.

Element Set / Metadata Schema active International Council on Archives Updated January 1, 2000

International Standard Archival Authority Record for Corporate Bodies, Persons, and Families

(ISAAR(CPF))

Defines authority records for the people, families, and organizations that create archives.

Element Set / Metadata Schema active International Council on Archives Updated October 30, 2003

Records in Contexts

(RiC)

Connects archival records with people, places, and events through a unified conceptual model.

Conceptual Data Model / Framework active International Council on Archives Updated October 1, 2025