---
kind: "section"
citation: "44 U.S.C. § 3511"
title: "44"
title_heading: "Public Printing and Documents"
number: "3511"
heading: "Data inventory and Federal data catalogue"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/44/3511"
units:
  - "Chapter 35 — Coordination of Federal Information Policy"
  - "Subchapter I — Federal Information Policy"
---

# §3511. Data inventory and Federal data catalogue

- (a) **Comprehensive Data Inventory.—**
  - (1) **In general.—** In consultation with the [Director](/usc/44/3502.md?p=4) and in accordance with the guidance established under [paragraph (2)](#a-2), the head of each [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1) shall, to the maximum extent practicable, develop and maintain a [comprehensive data inventory](/usc/44/3502.md?p=15) that accounts for all [data assets](/usc/44/3502.md?p=17) created by, collected by, under the control or direction of, or maintained by the [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1). The head of each [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1) shall ensure that such inventory provides a clear and comprehensive understanding of the [data assets](/usc/44/3502.md?p=17) in the possession of the [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1).
  - (2) **Guidance.—** The [Director](/usc/44/3502.md?p=4) shall establish guidance for [agencies](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1) to develop and maintain [comprehensive data inventories](/usc/44/3502.md?p=15) under [paragraph (1)](#a-1). Such guidance shall include the following:
    - (A) A requirement for the head of an [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1) to include in the [comprehensive data inventory](/usc/44/3502.md?p=15) [metadata](/usc/44/3502.md?p=19) on each [data asset](/usc/44/3502.md?p=17) of the [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1), including, to the maximum extent practicable, the following:
      - (i) A description of the [data asset](/usc/44/3502.md?p=17), including all variable names and definitions.
      - (ii) The name or title of the [data asset](/usc/44/3502.md?p=17).
      - (iii) An indication of whether or not the [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1)—
        - (I) has determined or can determine if the [data asset](/usc/44/3502.md?p=17) is—
          - (aa) an [open Government data asset](/usc/44/3502.md?p=20);
          - (bb) subject to disclosure or partial disclosure or exempt from disclosure under [section 552 of title 5](/usc/5/552.md);
          - (cc) a [public data asset](/usc/44/3502.md?p=22) eligible for disclosure under [subsection (b)](#b); or
          - (dd) a [data asset](/usc/44/3502.md?p=17) not subject to open format or [open license](/usc/44/3502.md?p=21) requirements due to existing limitations or restrictions on government distribution of the asset; or
        - (II) as of the date of such indication, has not made such determination.
      - (iv) Any determination made under [section 3582](/usc/44/3582.md), if available.
      - (v) A description of the method by which the public may access or request access to the [data asset](/usc/44/3502.md?p=17).
      - (vi) The date on which the [data asset](/usc/44/3502.md?p=17) was most recently updated.
      - (vii) Each [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1) responsible for maintaining the [data asset](/usc/44/3502.md?p=17).
      - (viii) The owner of the [data asset](/usc/44/3502.md?p=17).
      - (ix) To the extent practicable, any restriction on the use of the [data asset](/usc/44/3502.md?p=17).
      - (x) The location of the [data asset](/usc/44/3502.md?p=17).
      - (xi) Any other [metadata](/usc/44/3502.md?p=19) necessary to make the [comprehensive data inventory](/usc/44/3502.md?p=15) useful to the [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1) and the public, or otherwise determined useful by the [Director](/usc/44/3502.md?p=4).
    - (B) A requirement for the head of an [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1) to exclude from the [comprehensive data inventory](/usc/44/3502.md?p=15) any [data asset](/usc/44/3502.md?p=17) contained on a [national security system](/usc/44/3552.md?p=b-6-A), as defined in [section 11103 of title 40](/usc/40/11103.md).
    - (C) Criteria for the head of an [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1) to use in determining which [metadata](/usc/44/3502.md?p=19) required by [subparagraph (A)](#a-2-A), if any, in the [comprehensive data inventory](/usc/44/3502.md?p=15) may not be made publicly available, which shall include, at a minimum, a requirement to ensure all information that could not otherwise be withheld from disclosure under [section 552 of title 5](/usc/5/552.md) is made public in the [comprehensive data inventory](/usc/44/3502.md?p=15).
    - (D) A requirement for the head of each [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1), in accordance with a procedure established by the [Director](/usc/44/3502.md?p=4), to submit for inclusion in the Federal [data](/usc/44/3502.md?p=16) catalogue maintained under [subsection (c)](#c) the [comprehensive data inventory](/usc/44/3502.md?p=15) developed pursuant to [subparagraph (C)](#a-2-C), including any real-time updates to such inventory, and [data assets](/usc/44/3502.md?p=17) made available in accordance with [subparagraph (E)](#a-2-E) or any electronic hyperlink providing access to such [data assets](/usc/44/3502.md?p=17).
    - (E) Criteria for the head of an [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1) to use in determining whether a particular [data asset](/usc/44/3502.md?p=17) should not be made publicly available in a manner that takes into account—
      - (i) risks and restrictions related to the disclosure of personally identifiable information, including the risk that an individual [data asset](/usc/44/3502.md?p=17) in isolation does not pose a privacy or confidentiality risk but when combined with other available information may pose such a risk;
      - (ii) security considerations, including the risk that information in an individual [data asset](/usc/44/3502.md?p=17) in isolation does not pose a security risk but when combined with other available information may pose such a risk;
      - (iii) the cost and benefits to the public of converting the [data](/usc/44/3502.md?p=16) into a format that could be understood and used by the public;
      - (iv) whether the public dissemination of the [data asset](/usc/44/3502.md?p=17) could result in legal liability;
      - (v) whether the [data asset](/usc/44/3502.md?p=17)—
        - (I) is subject to intellectual property rights, including rights under titles [17](/usc/17.md) and [35](/usc/35.md);
        - (II) contains confidential business information, that could be withheld under [section 552(b)(4) of title 5](/usc/5/552.md?p=b-4); or
        - (III) is restricted by contract or other binding, written agreement;
      - (vi) whether the holder of a right to such [data asset](/usc/44/3502.md?p=17) has been consulted;
      - (vii) the expectation that all [data assets](/usc/44/3502.md?p=17) that would otherwise be made available under [section 552 of title 5](/usc/5/552.md) be disclosed; and
      - (viii) any other considerations that the [Director](/usc/44/3502.md?p=4) determines to be relevant.
    - (F) Criteria for the head of an [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1) to use in assessing the indication of a determination under [subparagraph (A)(iii)](#a-2-A-iii) and how to prioritize any such subsequent determinations in the strategic information management plan under [section 3506](/usc/44/3506.md), in consideration of the existing resources available to the [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1).
  - (3) **Regular updates required.—** With respect to each [data asset](/usc/44/3502.md?p=17) created or identified by an [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1), the head of the [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1) shall update the [comprehensive data inventory](/usc/44/3502.md?p=15) of the [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1) not later than 90 days after the date of such creation or identification.
- (b) **Public Data Assets.—** The head of each [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1) shall submit [public data assets](/usc/44/3502.md?p=22), or links to [public data assets](/usc/44/3502.md?p=22) available online, as [open Government data assets](/usc/44/3502.md?p=20) for inclusion in the Federal [data](/usc/44/3502.md?p=16) catalogue maintained under [subsection (c)](#c), in accordance with the guidance established under [subsection (a)(2)](#a-2).
- (c) **Federal Data Catalogue.—**
  - (1) **In general.—** The Administrator of General Services shall maintain a single public interface online as a point of entry dedicated to sharing [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1) [data assets](/usc/44/3502.md?p=17) with the public, which shall be known as the “Federal [data](/usc/44/3502.md?p=16) catalogue”. The Administrator and the [Director](/usc/44/3502.md?p=4) shall ensure that [agencies](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1) can submit [public data assets](/usc/44/3502.md?p=22), or links to [public data assets](/usc/44/3502.md?p=22), for publication and public availability on the interface.
  - (2) **Repository.—** The [Director](/usc/44/3502.md?p=4) shall collaborate with the Office of Government Information Services and the Administrator of General Services to develop and maintain an online repository of tools, best practices, and schema standards to facilitate the adoption of open [data](/usc/44/3502.md?p=16) practices across the Federal Government, which shall—
    - (A) include any definitions, regulations, policies, checklists, and case studies related to open [data](/usc/44/3502.md?p=16) policy;
    - (B) facilitate collaboration and the adoption of best practices across the Federal Government relating to the adoption of open [data](/usc/44/3502.md?p=16) practices; and
    - (C) be made available on the Federal [data](/usc/44/3502.md?p=16) catalogue maintained under [paragraph (1)](#c-1).
  - (3) **Access to other data assets.—** The [Director](/usc/44/3502.md?p=4) shall ensure the Federal [data](/usc/44/3502.md?p=16) catalogue maintained under [paragraph (1)](#c-1) provides information on how the public can access a [data asset](/usc/44/3502.md?p=17) included in a [comprehensive data inventory](/usc/44/3502.md?p=15) under [subsection (a)](#a) that is not yet available on the Federal [data](/usc/44/3502.md?p=16) catalogue, including information regarding the application process established under [section 3583 of title 44](/usc/44/3583.md).
- (d) **Delegation.—** The [Director](/usc/44/3502.md?p=4) shall delegate to the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs and the Administrator of the Office of Electronic Government the authority to jointly issue guidance required under this section.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 104–13, § 2, May 22, 1995, 109 Stat. 180; amended Pub. L. 113–235, div. H, title I, § 1301(c)(1), Dec. 16, 2014, 128 Stat. 2537; Pub. L. 115–435, title II, § 202(d)(1), Jan. 14, 2019, 132 Stat. 5538.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

A prior section 3511, added Pub. L. 96–511, § 2(a), Dec. 11, 1980, 94 Stat. 2822; amended Pub. L. 99–500, § 101(m) [title VIII, § 818], Oct. 18, 1986, 100 Stat. 1783–308, 1783–339, and Pub. L. 99–591, § 101(m) [title VIII, § 818], Oct. 30, 1986, 100 Stat. 3341–308, 3341–339, related to establishment and operation of a Federal Information Locator System prior to the general amendment of this chapter by Pub. L. 104–13.

Another prior section 3511, Pub. L. 90–620, Oct. 22, 1968, 82 Stat. 1305, provided for penalty for failure to furnish information, prior to the general amendment of this chapter by Pub. L. 96–511.

### Amendments

2019—Pub. L. 115–435 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section related to establishment and operation of Government Information Locator Service.

2014—Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 113–235 substituted “Director of the Government Publishing Office” for “Public Printer”.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 2019 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 115–435 effective 180 days after Jan. 14, 2019, see section 403 of Pub. L. 115–435, set out as a note under section 306 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

### Effective Date

Section effective Oct. 1, 1995, except as otherwise provided, see section 4(a) of Pub. L. 104–13, set out as a note under section 3501 of this title.