The aim of this document is to analyse the state of the art and existing tools for data harmonisation, considering their applicability within CS-IT. In addition, it will include information on the different levels and versions of various standardised and non-standardised ontologies and data dictionaries and schemas. The major focus of this document is to present some examples of already ongoing harmonisation projects in the field of biobanking and biological sample collections, as well as

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... to support the project by providing a literature review on the biobanks' needs regarding the harmonisation tools and processes described in BBMRI-ERIC CS-IT's Requirements Specification document (Eklund 2016). Since data harmonisation, however, is not only an important issue in biobanking, but a key component in all data sharing/data projects, our focus is also on such projects outside the biobanking area. This review has been done as a deliverable of the Biobanking and Biomolecular Resources Research Infrastructure – European Research Infrastructure Consortium (BBMRI-ERIC) Common Service IT (CS-IT) as well as the Horizon2020 INFRADEV project ADOPT. The current version is based on a comprehensive literature review and experiences from own work in this field as well as based on communication with colleagues in related interdisciplinary multi-partner research projects. This work is part of the ADOPT BBMRI-ERIC project, funded by the European Commission, topic H2020- INFRADEV-3-2015, Grant Agreement Nr 676550.