ISO/PRF 24108-1
(Main)Grid square statistics and their applications — Part 1: Fundamental principle of grid square statistics
Grid square statistics and their applications — Part 1: Fundamental principle of grid square statistics
The scopes in this document of international standard for grid square statistics are following: ・To present the standard method to enable policy decisions based on common recognition from grid statistics produced with different grid coordinate standards in different countries and areas that may have different geographic coding systems with different geometric shapes. ・To standardize methods to accommodate the conversion calculation among grid statistics with different grid coordinate systems having different geometric shapes by employing prorating method based on the grid areas as well as the method to calculate the approximation errors, for exchanging the converted grid statistics.
Titre manque — Partie 1: Titre manque
General Information
Standards Content (Sample)
International
Standard
ISO 24108-1
First edition
Grid square statistics and their
applications —
Part 1:
Fundamental principle of grid
square statistics
PROOF/ÉPREUVE
Reference number
ISO 24108-1:2025(en) © ISO 2025
ISO 24108-1:2025(en)
© ISO 2025
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below
or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: +41 22 749 01 11
Email: copyright@iso.org
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
PROOF/ÉPREUVE
ii
ISO 24108-1:2025(en)
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Grid square statistics . 3
4.1 Basic concepts of grid square statistics .3
4.2 Categorical data and quantitative data .4
4.2.1 General .4
4.2.2 Categorical data .4
4.2.3 For quantitative data .4
5 Production process of grid square statistics . 5
5.1 General .5
5.2 Method of allocating from microdata .6
5.2.1 Using census data .6
5.2.2 Using sample data .7
5.2.3 Using register data .7
5.3 Method of allocating from disaggregated data .7
5.4 Method of allocating from both microdata and disaggregated data .8
6 Conversion between different grid square reference systems . 8
6.1 General .8
6.2 Method of conversion .9
6.2.1 Conversion method based on grid intersection .9
6.2.2 Conversion method based on a point approximation .10
Annex A (informative) Japanese national grid square code .11
Annex B (informative) World grid square code .18
Annex C (informative) Outline of the European reference grid: ETRS89-LAEA (INSPIRE) .24
Annex D (informative) Potential applications .25
Bibliography .27
PROOF/ÉPREUVE
iii
ISO 24108-1:2025(en)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through
ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee
has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations,
governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely
with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types
of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the
ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent
rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received notice of (a)
patent(s) which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that
this may not represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at
www.iso.org/patents. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions
related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World Trade
Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 69, Applications of statistical methods,
Subcommittee SC 8, Application of statistical and related methodology for new technology and product
development.
A list of all parts in the ISO 24108 series can be found on the ISO website.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.
PROOF/ÉPREUVE
iv
ISO 24108-1:2025(en)
Introduction
Grid statistics are geospatial statistics produced by grids often with fairly high spatial resolution, which
enable the analysis of regional dependence on population and labour from economic and social activities.
They can help us to analyse demand and supply imbalances and can provide valuable insights to optimize a
strategic plan for commercializing new products and services that can expand worldwide.
However, currently, the grid definitions employed to grid statistics coexist in many countries and
organizations in different forms, which lacks controllability in data quality, reliability, and interoperability.
Therefore, it is highly appropriate to produce, exchange, and utilize them under a common understanding
based on international standards.
In order to promote a common international understanding not only of the formal description of spatial
information related to grid statistics, but also of its statistical utilization, this document takes the following
two points as its aim:
— Communication and decision-making requiring common understanding of grid statistics across multiple
sectors and organizations.
— Promoting to provide grid square statistics even for countries and areas not yet with grid statistics,
covering new services of business sector.
PROOF/ÉPREUVE
v
International Standard ISO 24108-1:2025(en)
Grid square statistics and their applications —
Part 1:
Fundamental principle of grid square statistics
1 Scope
This document specifies a fundamental principle on grid square statistics and includes the following:
— To define or specify a set of methods that can be recommended as the standard method to enable
policy decisions based on common recognition from grid statistics produced with different grid square
reference system standards in different countries and areas that can have different geographic coding
systems with different geometric shapes.
— To standardize methods to accommodate the conversion calculation among grid statistics with different
grid square reference systems having different geometric shapes by employing prorating method
based on the grid areas as well as the method to calculate the approximation errors, for exchanging the
converted grid statistics.
Spatial expressions other than grid square also exist, but this document does not apply to the spatial
expressions other than grid square.
NOTE Clause 4 and Clause 5 define grid square statistics and specify some methods to generate grid square
statistics. Clause 6 recommends conversion methods between grid square statistics generated based on different grid
square reference systems.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content constitutes
requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references,
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 3534-2, Statistics — Vocabulary and symbols — Part 2: Applied statistics
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 3534-2 and the following apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:// www .electropedia .org/
3.1
categorical data
variable with the measurement scale consisting of a set of categories
3.2
nominal data
variable with a nominal scale of measurement
[SOURCE: ISO 3534-2:2006, 1.1.6]
PROOF/ÉPREUVE
ISO 24108-1:2025(en)
3.3
ordinal data
variable with an ordinal scale of measurement
[SOURCE: ISO 3534-2:2006, 1.1.7]
3.4
contingency table
tabular representation of categorical data (3.1), which shows frequencies for particular combinations of
values of two or more discrete random variables
3.5
grid
network composed of two or more sets of curves in which the members of each set intersect the members of
the other sets in an algorithmic way
Note 1 to entry: The curves partition a space into grid cells.
[9]
[SOURCE: ISO 19123-2:—, 3.1.3 , modified — Note 1 to entry has been rewritten.]
3.6
grid square
grid (3.5) whose shape is near to a square, which is not a hexagon or something else
Note 1 to entry: The centre position or area of a grid square can be expressed in longitude and latitude.
Note 2 to entry: Grids containing the north or south pole are exceptionally triangular.
3.7
grid square code
sequence of numbers, letters, or characters to uniquely identify a grid square (3.6)
3.8
grid square statistics
statistics computed by using grid square (3.6) as aggregation units, specifically appropriate summary
statistics of the quantitative data contained in each grid square (3.6)
Note 1 to entry: Mean and standard deviation are typical summary statistics both in interval and ratio scale data but
total is only valid in case of ratio scale data.
Note 2 to entry: The number is typical summary statistics for qualitative data in both nominal and ordinal data.
3.9
microdata
dataset comprised of records related to individual data principals
Note 1 to entry: Microdat
...
ISO /TC 69/SC 8/WG 3
Secretariat: JISC
Date: 2025-07-21xx
Grid square statistics and their applications — —
Part 1:
Fundamental principle of grid square statistics
PROOF
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication
may be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying,
or posting on the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO
at the address below or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: + 41 22 749 01 11
EmailE-mail: copyright@iso.org
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii
Contents
Foreword . iv
Introduction . v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Grid square statistics . 4
4.1 Basic concepts of grid square statistics . 4
4.2 Categorical data and quantitative data . 4
5 Production process of grid square statistics . 5
5.1 General . 5
5.2 Method of allocating from microdata . 7
5.3 Method of allocating from disaggregated data . 8
5.4 Method of allocating from both microdata and disaggregated data . 9
6 Conversion between different grid square reference systems . 9
6.1 General . 9
6.2 Method of conversion . 9
Annex A (informative) Japanese national grid square code . 12
Annex B (informative) World grid square code . 20
Annex C (informative) Outline of the European reference grid: ETRS89-LAEA (INSPIRE) . 27
Annex D (informative) Potential applications . 28
Bibliography . 30
iii
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through
ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types of
ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the
ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent rights
in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received notice of (a) patent(s)
which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that this may not
represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at
www.iso.org/patents. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions
related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World Trade
Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 69, Applications of statistical methods,
Subcommittee SC 8, Application of statistical and related methodology for new technology and product
development.
A list of all parts in the ISO 24108 series can be found on the ISO website.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.
iv
Introduction
Grid statistics are geospatial statistics produced by grids often with fairly high spatial resolution, which enable
the analysis of regional dependence on population and labour from economic and social activities. They can
help us to analyse demand and supply imbalances and can provide valuable insights to optimize a strategic
plan for commercializing new products and services that can expand worldwide.
However, currently, the grid definitions employed to grid statistics coexist in many countries and
organizations in different forms, which lacks controllability in data quality, reliability, and interoperability.
Therefore, it is highly appropriate to produce, exchange, and utilize them under a common understanding
based on international standards.
In order to promote a common international understanding not only of the formal description of spatial
information related to grid statistics, but also of its statistical utilization, this standarddocument takes the
following two points as its aim.::
— — Communication and decision-making requiring common understanding of grid statistics across
multiple sectors and organizations.
— — Promoting to provide grid square statistics even for countries and areas not yet with grid statistics,
covering new services of business sector.
v
Grid square statistics and their applications — Part 1: Fundamental
principle of grid square statistics —
Part 1:
Fundamental principle of grid square statistics
1 Scope
This document specifies a fundamental conceptprinciple on grid square statistics and includes the
followingsfollowing:
— — To define or specify a set of methods that can be recommended as the standard method to enable
policy decisions based on common recognition from grid statistics produced with different grid square
reference system standards in different countries and areas that maycan have different geographic coding
systems with different geometric shapes.
— — To standardize methods to accommodate the conversion calculation among grid statistics with
different grid square reference systems having different geometric shapes by employing prorating method
based on the grid areas as well as the method to calculate the approximation errors, for exchanging the
converted grid statistics.
Spatial expressions other than grid square also exist, but this document does not apply to the spatial
expressions other than grid square.
NOTE Clause 4 4 and 5Clause 5 define grid square statistics and specify some methods to generate grid square statistics.
6Clause 6 recommends conversion methods between grid square statistics generated based on different grid square
reference systems.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content constitutes
requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references,
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 3534--2, Statistics — Vocabulary and symbols — Part 2: Applied statistics
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 3534-2 and the following apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— — ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
— — IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
3.1 3.1
categorical data
variable with the measurement scale consisting of a set of categories
3.2 3.2
nominal data
variable with a nominal scale of measurement
[SOURCE: ISO 3534-2: 2006, 1.1.6]
3.3 3.3
ordinal data
variable with an ordinal scale of measurement
[SOURCE: ISO 3534-2: 2006, 1.1.7]
3.4 3.4
contingency table
tabular representation of categorical data (3.1(3.1),), which shows frequencies for particular combinations of
values of two or more discrete random variables
3.5 3.5
grid
network composed of two or more sets of curves in which the members of each set intersect the members of
the other sets in an algorithmic way
Note 1 to entry: The curves partition a space into grid cells.
[9]
[SOURCE: ISO 19123:2005, 4.1.23 ]
[ ]
-2:—, 3.1.3 06 , modified — Note 1 to entry has been rewritten.]
3.6
grid square
grid (3.5(3.5)) whose shape is near to a square, which is not a hexagon or something else
Note 1 to entry: The centre position or area of a grid square can be expressed in longitude and latitude.
Note 2 to entry: Grids containing the north or south pole are exceptionally triangular.
3.7 3.7
grid square code
sequence of numbers, letters, or characters to uniquely identify a grid square (3.6(3.6))
3.8 3.8
grid square statistics
statistics computed by using grid square (3.6(3.6)) as aggregation units, specifically appropriate summary
statistics of the quantitative data contained in each grid square (3.6(3.6))
Note 1 to entry: Mean and standard deviation are typical summary statistics both in interval and ratio scale data but
total is only valid in case of ratio scale data.
Note 2 to entry: The number is typical summary statistics for qualitative data in both nominal and ordinal data.
3.9 3.9
microdata
dataset comprised of records related to individual data principals
Note 1 to entry: Microdata are unit-level data obtained from sample surveys, censuses, and administrative systems.
They provide information about characteristics of individual people or entities
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC 20889:2018, 3.23]
3.10 3.10
register data
microdata (3.9(3.9)) stored in administrative registers
3.11 3.11
disaggregated data
cross-section statistical tables (or summary data) that are tabulated from the microdata (3.9(3.9)) of censuses,
statistical surveys, registers
3.12 3.12
georeferenced microdata
data obtained from the process of referencing data against a known geographic coordinate reference system
by matching to knowknown points of reference in the coordinate system
Note 1 to entry: The georeferencing process unequivocally positions data to their precise and absolute location in the
digital environment – i.e. geographic coordinates (e.g. latitude, longitude and elevation; X, Y, Z) - according to a defined
geodetic reference system that enables to assign data to a unique geographic location (or geographical reference) on the
surface of the Earth with higher spatial accuracy.
3.13 3.13
grid coordinate system
coordinate system in which a position is specified relative to the intersection of curves
Note 1 to entry: Grid coordinate system defines the intersection of curves and its projection method for geographical
information under coordinate reference system
[ [11] ]
[SOURCE: ISO 19115‑2:2019, 3.14 0 ] ]
3.14 3.14
grid square reference system
reference system to uniquely express grid squares (3.6(3.6)) defined under a certain grid coordinate system
(3.13(3.13)) by using grid square codes (3.7(3.7))
3.15 3.15
geocoding
translation of one form of location into another
Note 1 to entry: Geocoding is the process of transforming a description of the location or unreferenced location
information (e.g.,. address or name of a place, etc.)) to the location’s measurable position on the earth’s surface” in the
digital environment (inspired by the GEOSTAT 4 and GSGF Europe terminology). Geocoding can be considered as a subset
concept of georeferencing.
Note 2 to entry: Geocoding is typically preceded by the data cleaning step
...
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