IEC 61360-1:2017 specifies principles for the definition of the properties and associated attributes and explains the methods for representing verbally defined concepts with appropriate data constructs available from IEC 61360-2. It also specifies principles for establishing a hierarchy of classification from a collection of classes, each of which represents a technical concept in the electrotechnical domain or a domain related to electrotechnology. This fourth edition cancels and replaces the third edition published in 2009. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
- support of advanced constructs such as
· conditions and constraints,
· blocks,
· cardinality,
· polymorphism,
· generic and restricted enumerations, and
· mapping;
- extended list of data types;
- harmonization with IEC 62656-1;
- support of IEC TS 62720 and of coded units;
- harmonization of semantic and administrative data among the various information objects;
- use of UML for data modelling;
- enhanced definitions and descriptions;
- introduction of examples of higher level constructs such as block, cardinality, or polymorphism as guidance for the user of the IEC 61360 series.

IEC 61360-4, IEC reference collection of standard data element types and component classes, can be accessed from IEC CDD (Common Data Dictionary) Free access to Database. The database contains the IEC reference collection of classes and associated characteristic properties (data element types or DETs) of electric/electronic components including materials, geometry and features used in electrotechnical equipment and systems. The dictionary and database follow the methodology of Part 1 of IEC 61360 and the information model of Part 2. It has the status of a horizontal standard in accordance with IEC Guide 108.