Overview
ISO/IEC 10021-7:2003 - part of the Message Handling Systems (MHS) family - defines Interpersonal Messaging (IPM): the abstract information objects, service model and service provision rules for person-to-person business or private correspondence. The standard specifies the kinds of message heading fields, body parts, notification objects and the abstract operations required to originate, receive and manage interpersonal messages. Annexes supply supplemental guidance and normative references.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Information objects: Defines IPM and Interpersonal Notification (IPN) object structures and relationships (e.g., replied-to IPM, obsoleted IPMs, related IPMs).
- Heading fields & components: Standardizes components such as originator, recipients (To, CC, BCC), subject, expiry/reply times, importance and sensitivity.
- Body parts & encodings: Specifies standard body-part types and encodings - examples in the document include IA5 text, G3/G4 facsimile, teletex, videotex, mixed-mode content, encrypted bodies and PKCS7 containers.
- Abstract service model: Defines primary object types (Interpersonal Messaging System User/System), primary ports (origination, reception, management), and abstract operations:
- Originate: Originate IPM, Originate RN/ON, Originate Probe
- Receive: Receive IPM, Receive RN/NRN/ON, Receive Report
- Management: change auto-discard, auto-acknowledgement, auto-forwarding
- Notifications & receipts: Covers non-receipt reasons, receipts/acknowledgment modes, absence advice and change-of-address advice.
- Error handling: Includes abstract errors such as Subscription Error and Recipient Improperly Specified.
- Normative references: Integrates references to OSI, directory systems, character sets, file transfer, Open Document Architecture, digital audio encoding and cryptography.
Applications and who uses it
ISO/IEC 10021-7 is aimed at organizations that design, implement or integrate messaging systems where interoperability, message structure and consistent notification semantics matter:
- Email/MHS protocol developers and messaging server vendors building inter-system message exchange
- Gateway and interoperability implementers connecting legacy telematic/facsimile/teletex systems with modern messaging
- Enterprise messaging architects enforcing consistent message metadata (headers, expiry, sensitivity)
- Security and compliance teams who need standardized representations for encrypted messages and receipts
- Standards bodies and implementers referencing MHS abstract operations and object models
Keywords: ISO/IEC 10021-7, Interpersonal Messaging, Message Handling Systems (MHS), IPM, notifications, message headers, body parts, PKCS7, abstract service model.
Related standards
- ISO/IEC 10021-2 (introduction to MHS series)
- Other ISO/IEC 10021 series parts and normative references (OSI, directory services, file transfer, Open Document Architecture, cryptography)