PDF 2.0 is the result of many years of work by around 30 experts from all over the world. Several sections of the standard, for example about digital signature, meta data and tagged PDF, were completely revised.

Advantages for developers

PDF 2.0 is an open, international standard developed on behalf of ISO. As with previous PDF versions, PDF 2.0 is downward compatible with PDF 1.7 and the previous specifications. ISO 32000-2: 2017 clarifies many aspects of the PDF file and is therefore of importance to users and developers of PDF technologies. Above all, the new functions should allow for improved document-based processes using the PDF format.

Impact also on PDF/X

PDF 2.0 is a further development of the PDF standard, in which a number of practical experiences and meaningful detail improvements are incorporated. The changes to PDF 2.0 will also result in modifications to PDF-based standards such as PDF/A for long-term archiving and PDF/X for the creation of printed documents.

The document ISO 32000-2 is available on the website of the ISO for paid download.

Source: PDF Association – Association for Digital Document Standards e.V. / good news! GmbH