What is the difference between MoReq and DoD 5015.2 for evaluating records software?

Both MoReq and DoD 5015.2 are specifications that describe what an electronic records management system should be able to do. Organizations use them to evaluate, compare, and sometimes certify software. They share many functional goals, but they come from different traditions and serve different communities.

Origins and Scope

DoD 5015.2 is a U.S. Department of Defense standard for Records Management Application (RMA) design criteria. It was developed to give U.S. federal agencies a baseline set of mandatory and optional requirements, and it is paired with a formal testing and certification program. When a product is described as “5015.2 certified,” it has been tested against a defined criteria set by an authorized testing body.

MoReq (Model Requirements for the Management of Electronic Records) originated in Europe and reflects a broader, more model-oriented approach. Rather than a single national certification regime, MoReq is intended as a reusable reference model that organizations and member states can adapt to their own legal and operational contexts.

Key Differences

• Authority and audience. 5015.2 is rooted in U.S. federal/defense practice; MoReq grew out of European Union records-management initiatives and is widely referenced internationally.
• Certification model. 5015.2 is closely tied to a structured product-certification process. MoReq is more often used as a requirements framework and procurement reference than as a pass/fail certification mark.
• Flexibility. MoReq tends to emphasize adaptability across jurisdictions and recordkeeping cultures, while 5015.2 emphasizes a consistent, testable baseline.

How to Use Them

Treat either specification as a checklist of capabilities, not a guarantee of compliance with your own laws. Map the requirements to your actual retention rules, security needs, and recordkeeping obligations before evaluating any system. International standards such as ISO 16175 cover similar ground and can complement either model, especially for organizations operating across borders.

For most professionals, the practical takeaway is this: a certification or conformance claim tells you a product was measured against a defined set of functional requirements, but you still must confirm it fits your jurisdiction, your records, and your policies.

Explore related material on the compliance standards hub.