The CDA Standards Organization has officially adopted the following institutional terminology for physical works of art:

• Physical Artistic Object (PAO)
• PCO Candidate
• Physical Cultural Object (PCO)

These terms establish the Organization's official conceptual vocabulary for the classification of physical artistic and cultural objects.

The Organization recognizes that the normative content of these categories—including definitions, evaluation criteria, evidence requirements, governance models, recognition procedures, and transition mechanisms—requires dedicated research before becoming part of an international standard.

This research is currently being conducted within the ANDRBEL Research Program, through DAP #0A, and will inform future versions of the CDA Protocol.

Upon completion of the research and subsequent protocol adoption, these standards will be available for voluntary use by museums, galleries, artists, collectors, auction houses, foundations, and other participants in the international cultural sector.