• Describes requirements for terminology services to load data from SNOMED CT release packages for selected editions, versions and extensions.


  • Terminology service providers must deliver services that can load data from that conform to the SNOMED CT Release File Specifications. They must enable client applications to access the content of a selected . They should also enable access to including additional modules that are compatible with the selected versioned edition. They must also provide access to data that identifies the versioned edition or extended versioned edition currently being accessed.
  • Terminology service users must ensure that they procure and use terminology services that can be configured to enable access to the SNOMED CT versioned editions (or extended versioned editions) required by their organization, speciality or national authority.
  • Healthcare application providers must ensure that their applications support access to terminology services that are configurable to enable access to the SNOMED CT versioned editions (or extended versioned editions) required by their customers. They must also ensure that their applications track the history of the versioned editions (or extended versioned editions) used to record and access data as this may affect interpretation and analysis of data.


 lists the definitions of different types of SNOMED CT editions including formally defined editions, versions of editions and editions that have been extended by the addition of selected . Terminology services should enable client applications to access the content of selected versions of selected editions with or without selected additional modules.

Edition Types


Edition TypeDefinitionNotes


For more information about SNOMED CT extensions see the Extensions Practical Guide.