FGDC

The Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) is a United States interagency committee that coordinates the development and adoption of geospatial data standards and metadata across federal agencies to promote interoperability and data sharing for government programs, science, and public services.

The FGDC was established in 1990 to coordinate federal geospatial activities and to advance the concept of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI). It provides guidance on data collection, management, and dissemination practices and helps align federal geospatial efforts with broader national and international standards.

Key activities of the FGDC include developing and maintaining shared metadata and data standards, most notably the Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (CSDGM). The committee also coordinates NSDI initiatives, supports metadata quality, and fosters collaboration among federal agencies, as well as state, local, tribal, and private-sector partners. In addition, the FGDC has overseen programs aimed at improving data discovery and access, such as the Geospatial One-Stop portal and NSDI clearinghouse activities.

Governance of the FGDC involves participation by federal agencies with a rotating chair and a secretariat hosted by a member agency to coordinate activities. The committee serves as a forum for interagency collaboration and engages with international standardization bodies to harmonize geospatial data standards, facilitating data interoperability and broader access to geospatial information across sectors.