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PDF/A and external references

November 2025 by Peter Wyatt

PDF/A ensures reliable long-term rendering by embedding fonts, images, and color profiles, but URLs can still appear in text, hyperlinks, bookmarks, annotations, metadata, and embedded files.

Link annotations and URI Actions define clickable destinations, but PDF/A restricts certain action types to prevent external dependencies.

Guided by clear policies, comprehensive audits of both visible and hidden references help maintain authenticity, accessibility, and long-term integrity of PDF/A documents and digital collections.

PDF/A ensures reliable long-term rendering by embedding fonts, images, and color profiles, but URLs can still appear in text, hyperlinks, bookmarks, annotations, metadata, and embedded files.

Link annotations and URI Actions define clickable destinations, but PDF/A restricts certain action types to prevent external dependencies.

Guided by clear policies, comprehensive audits of both visible and hidden references help maintain authenticity, accessibility, and long-term integrity of PDF/A documents and digital collections.

A new meeting place for developers working with accessibility and PDF

August 2022 by Paul Rayius
Article


The new PDF/UA Processor LWG’s mission is to establish principles and a framework, and then develop requirements for PDF/UA processors and assistive technology (AT).

Paul Rayius
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August 2022 by Matthias Valvekens (Matthias Valvekens)
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Matthias Valvekens explains the difference and respective value of digital signatures vs. MAC-based technology for authenticating PDF files.

Article

August 2022 by Matthias Valvekens (Matthias Valvekens)
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Matthias Valvekens, the ISO project leader who led development of ISO 32004, has written a pair of blog posts to … Read more

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August 2022 by PDF Association staff
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This year’s keynote addresses at PDF Days will be delivered by PDF Association CTO Peter Wyatt and Boeing’s Kenny Swope.

PDF Association news

July 2022 by PDF Association staff
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5 reasons your boss should want you to attend PDF Days Europe 2022 in September!

Article

July 2022 by PDF Association staff
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The new PDF/UA Processor LWG will work to formalize common understandings on processing PDF/UA-conforming PDF files.

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June 2022 by PDF Association staff
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Visiting the No. 1 PDF event – the PDF Days Europe 2022 – in Berlin? Great! Conference hotel – Novotel … Read more

PDF Association news

May 2022 by PDF Association
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33 educational sessions plus 2 keynotes in 2 days of networking opportunities at PDF Days Europe 2022, live in Berlin … Read more

PDF Association news

May 2022 by Duff Johnson
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Tagged PDF is becoming increasingly common. On #GAAD 2022, PDF/UA’s ISO Project Leader takes stock of the progress and highlights … Read more

Article

May 2022 by Peter Wyatt
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The PDF Association has updated IANA’s MIME media types registry for FDF, XFDF, PRC and U3D.

Article

April 2022 by Global Graphics Software
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Martin Bailey reflects on the history of PDF/X and its impact on production printing and the exchange of documents in … Read more

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