Handbook supporting the EUROCONTROL Specification for SWIM Service Description (Edition 1.0, Edition date: 01/12/2017, Reference nr: EUROCONTROL-SPEC-168)

Role of the handbook

The Specification for SWIM Service Description sets out a number of requirements to be met by a service description. It provides some basic examples to illustrate the requirements. However, the specification does not give much detail on how to satisfy the requirements.


This handbook gives guidances to help service description authors to satisfy the requirements.


The guidance contained in the handbook promotes the creation of better service descriptions. It will lead to greater harmonisation in the implementation of the specification.

Specification for SWIM Service Description

Example of service description

The SWIM Service Description Handbook is advisory in nature. It is created and maintained by a community of interest and evolves over times as the community identifies new examples and good practices. To become a member of the community, please send an email to [email protected].

The handbook includes the requirements found in the Specification for SWIM Service Description. However, it does not replace the specification. Users of the handbook are advised to download the specification using the quick links above.

Target audience

  • Service description authors

Content Structure 

The supporting material is organised into key topics.

Introducing the specification. This introduces the purpose and context for the specification and the role of service description. 

Guidance on individual requirements.  This provides support in order to satisfy the  requirements contained in the specification.

Resources. This provides resources such as template, schema and conformance matrix.

Complementing the specification. This provides support going beyond the prescribed description of implemented services.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). This provides a series of received questions and tentative answers about the implementation of the specifciation, often providing an alternative access to the supporting material.

Full table of contents