In general, the SMNS accepts every format for submission and ingestion into the long term archive. However, a few criteria would allow a potential future user to interpret and use the data from scratch:

1. use a non-proprietary format for files.
2. open, but patent-encumbered formats should be avoided.
3. Simple format descriptions have precedence over more complicated ones.
4. Formats should be described by a reasonably established international standards organization such as W3C, IEC or ISO.

A list of recommended file formats is available from Facile: https://facile.cines.fr/