Glossary of Classification Keys
The Thesaurus of Indexing Terms, a fundamental indexing vocabulary for Federal regulations, plays a crucial role in organizing and categorizing regulatory texts published in the Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). This hierarchical set of standardized terms serves as a controlled vocabulary, aiding in consistent subject indexing and improved search and retrieval of federal regulations.
The thesaurus is structured as a hierarchical set of standardized terms, with broader and narrower terms arranged in trees, ensuring coherent classification. This hierarchical structure facilitates efficient navigation through the Federal Register and CFR content.
The thesaurus terms are integrated into metadata and cataloging systems, aiding in the organization and retrieval of documents across various databases. Each term is carefully defined to ensure consistent use across documents, sometimes with cross-references to related concepts or synonyms for clarity in regulatory contexts.
Moreover, the thesaurus supports automated indexing and search. Electronic systems, possibly using XML schemas or indexing procedures, utilize these thesaurus terms to enable effective full-text searches and subject retrieval in digital repositories.
The thesaurus also contains cross-references leading the user to preferred or related terms, and variations on official terms appear in red italicized text. Federal agencies use the thesaurus to prepare the "List of Subjects" which appears in rule and proposed rule documents published in the Federal Register. Agencies must use at least one official thesaurus term, and may use terms of greater specificity such as "apples" or "apricots" instead of "commodities".
The Office of the Federal Register uses the Thesaurus as the basis for the subject entries in the CFR Index, published annually as of January 1. Although the specific current version or detailed taxonomy of the Thesaurus of Indexing Terms for Federal regulations is not explicitly documented, the existing frameworks use structured definitions and authority records to index terms related to federal regulations within the Code of Federal Regulations and Federal Register.
Users can reach out to [email protected] for questions about or to comment on the Thesaurus of Indexing Terms or the CFR Index. The Thesaurus was last updated on April 1, 2025.
Politics significantly relies on the proper categorization of policies and legislation, which is facilitated by the Thesaurus of Indexing Terms. This thesaurus is instrumental in organizing general-news articles related to federal regulations, ensuring a coherent classification system across various databases.
