PDF Reuse TWG

Background

Reusing content in PDF files is commonplace; obtaining high-quality results, including for accessibility purposes, is less so.

The initial project animating the PDF Reuse TWG was the development of a specification for “well-tagged PDF” or WTPDF – PDF documents that leverage “Tagged PDF” (ISO 32000, 14.8) to enable reliable reuse of document content on diverse devices and software applications.

In alignment with the development of WTPDF, this Working Group worked in close cooperation with the PDF/UA TWG to deliver the accessibility conformance level of WTPDF to ISO for publication as ISO 14289-2 (PDF/UA-2). WTPDF also complements the derivation algorithm specified in Deriving HTML from PDF.

Objective

The Reuse TWG maintains core specifications for Tagged PDF and serves as the industry discussion forum for development of ISO TS 32005.

Status

As of Q4 2025 key subjects currently under discussion include, but are not limited to:

• Developing and supporting new educational resources on Tagged PDF.

How to participate in the Working Group

It’s possible to participate in the Working Group without attending meetings!

• The Working Group’s activities are centered on a private GitHub repository.
• Working group members may attend the working group’s online meetings – currently biweekly on Thursdays, 1905–2000 CET / 1305–1400 ET / 1005–1100 PT, or review meeting notes and recordings of previous calls.

The PDF Reuse TWG is open to all PDF Association Individual, Division, Full, Partner and Institutional members.

Join this working group to:

• Access all of the working group’s private GitHub repositories
• Access the working group’s private Google Drive area with working documents
• Participate via the mailing list and view mailing list archives
• Participate in the approval and publication process
• Access meeting recordings and notes
• Access and provide comments on related ISO documents

PDF Association members can join the PDF Reuse TWG by visiting the Member Area and clicking “Manage Working Groups”.

Relevant resources

• Game-changing new free specification enables interoperable reuse and accessibility for PDF
• Well-Tagged PDF (WTPDF)
• The PDF Association’s work to advance accessibility
• Aligning PDF 1.7 and 2.0 through ISO 32005 and using these for Reflow, Reuse and Accessibility
• Introducing the PDF Reuse Technical Working Group