Tagged PDF-related projects
This page delivers an overview of all Tagged PDF-related projects in-progress within the PDF Association's working groups.
PDF Association members can join working groups by visiting the Member Area and clicking “Manage Working Groups”.
Deriving HTML from PDF
Objective
Having published the first edition of “Deriving HTML from PDF” this group continues to explore opportunities and challenges in advanced reuse of PDF content with a focus on pathways to HTML expression of PDF content.
Status
The working group is currently developing the 2nd edition of Deriving HTML from PDF.
Managed by
Glossary of accessibility terms
Objective
Intended for both developers and end users who focus on the specifics of accessible PDF, this glossary provides concise definitions of commonly-encountered terms.
Status
The working group is currently in the process of editing existing and adding new terms.
Managed by
Hierarchical inclusion rules (ISO TS 32005)
Objective
This document (a spreadsheet) defines the available parent-child relationships for structure elements (tags) in PDF 2.0 files, and in files that additionally conform to ISO TS 32005.
The same content is published by ISO as part of ISO TS 32005.
Status
The spreadsheet was recently (2025) revised by the PDF Reuse TWG. The revision is in-process to join other changes in an upcoming revision of ISO TS 32005.
Errata submitted against the hierarchical inclusion rules are tracked on GitHub, and when resolved by the respective Working Group(s), are added to the errata worksheet in the spreadsheet file. Feel free to add suggestions or review existing errata there.
Managed by
Math in PDF: Best Practice Guide
Objective
Explain what's necessary to make math accessible in PDF 2.0 files so that math can be navigated by capable AT providing speech and/or braille.
Status
Math in PDF files is finally fully accessible, and can be navigated and read by capable assistive technology. The LWG is in the process of finalizing the best practice guide.
Managed by
The Matterhorn Protocol
Objective
To promote adoption of PDF/UA, the PDF/UA TWG developed the Matterhorn Protocol, a list of all the possible ways to fail PDF/UA-1.
Status
The working group is currently developing Matterhorn Protocol 2.0.
Managed by
PDF AAM
Objective
In collaboration with W3C's ARIA Working Group via its PDF Accessibility APIs Mapping (PDF-AAM) Task Force, specify how user agents should map accessibility semantics within the Portable Document Format specification.
Status
Members of the PDF/UA Processor LWG meet regularly with W3C experts in Task Force meetings to develop mappings between PDF semantics and web APIs. For details of the current work, see the PDF-AAM GitHub repository.
Managed by
PDF/UA Processor LWG and W3C's ARIA Working Group
ISO 14289 (PDF/UA-2)
Objective
Provide an ISO standardized version of WTPDF targeting accessibility.
Status
Published by ISO in March, 2024. Available at no cost from the PDF Association.
Managed by
PDF/UA in a nutshell
Objective
Provide background and marketplace information about PDF/UA to end users and decision-makers.
Status
The working group is developing an all-new Nutshell for PDF/UA-2.
Managed by
PDF/UA Marketing Working Group
Tagged PDF Best Practice Guide
Objective
Based on PDF/UA-1, this document provides precise, authoritative guidance on correct use of PDF's standard structure elements.
Status
All-new educational resources are in-development.
Managed by
Techniques for Accessible PDF
Objective
These techniques are intended to help software developers, document authors and remediators to arrive at a common understanding of how to meet the needs of users who rely on assistive technology in order to read.
The PDF Association's techniques include focussed, fully-functional example files, providing a basis for authoritative test results while ensuring software developers retain maximum flexibility and potential for innovation.
Status
Since its initial release in January 2025 the LWG has published 82 techniques as of March, 2026.
Managed by
WTPDF
Objective
Well-Tagged PDF (WTPDF) provides normative guidance on creating PDF 2.0 documents that leverage Tagged PDF (ISO 32000-2, 14.8) to enable reliable reuse and accessibility on diverse devices and software applications.
Status
Well-Tagged PDF (WTPDF) was published in 2024. The TWG is accepting errata and suggestions for improvements via the pdf-issues GitHub repo.
Managed by
Industry resources on Tagged PDF
These formal industry publications define the interoperable use of tagged PDF. All are freely available.
Tagged PDF-related Working Groups
The PDF Association's volunteer working groups represent the organization's true purpose and most important feature. Their primary purpose is to develop and obtain consensus on PDF specifications, test-suites, technical and application notes, best practices and other formal industry guidance. Many of these products are eventually submitted for ISO standardization via ISO TC 171 SC 2.
Tagged PDF is the direct or indirect focus of the following working groups:
Developing techniques and examples for accessible PDF.
Exploring pathways to expressing PDF content in HTML.
Accessible PDF, including oversight of ISO 14289.
Participation
Technical Working Groups are open to PDF Association Individual, Division, Full, Partner and Institutional members.
Liaison Working Groups are open to PDF Association members and non-member experts who can apply to participate as either Invited Experts or as Individual Liaison members subject to their agreement with the PDF Association’s IPR Policy and Code of Conduct. Contact the community-manager@pdfa.org for more information.