Data formatting based on common standards (vocabulary, frame of reference) is essential for:
- their distribution: this enables the data to be used more widely and to be more fully exploited.
- collaborative work: exchange and sharing of consistent data at national and international levels.
- their permanence.

This task can sometimes be tedious as the file format of the data received can vary.

This is not necessary for all the types of data archived at SISMER but is required for instance for data entered into the marine physics and chemistry data bank.