5.3.4 URLs

The approach to Web Service-based information deliveries is based on URLs that are set at the discretion of the provider of the Web Serviceinterface who publishes the Web Service to its business partners to share information with them.

While it can be assumed that many URLs follow a common syntax there is no compulsion to use this approach. Similarly it is not compulsory that all URLs from a particular Web Service provider follow a common syntax.

All a company that wishes to offer a Web Service in accordance with this standard has to do, is to publish the URL for the relevant Web Service end points to its business partner(s) and make sure that the URLs placed in the responses to Web Service calls are (i) valid and (ii) active.

Wherever this standard only mentions the HTTP protocol, it is to be understood to allow HTTPS communications.