The Attributes of an IOD describe the properties of a Real-World Object Instance. Related Attributes are grouped into Modules that represent a higher level of semantics documented in the Module Specifications found in Annex C.

Attributes are encoded as Data Elements using the rules, the Value Representation and the Value Multiplicity concepts specified in PS3.5. For specific Data Elements, the Value Representation and Value Multiplicity are specified in the Data Dictionary in PS3.6.

When multiple Modules containing the same Attributes(s) are included in an IOD, the Attribute shall be encoded only once into a Data Element.