A project group entitled “3D Measurement Data Management” was set up in 2016 under the joint auspices of the VDA (German Association of the Automotive Industry) and the ProSTEP iViP Association to develop a specification for 3D measurement data management. This article provides an introduction thereto and describes current challenges faced by the industry along with the group's aims inside the ProSTEP iViP community which currently comprises 180 international members across the globe.