The Component Metadata Infrastructure (CMDI) is a framework for description of basic metadata components. It was developed particularly in the scope of the CLARIN project. The aim of this framework is to provide a modular and reusable metadata format. CMDI can be used to give a detailed metadata description of a resource and customized by using only the metadata elements relevant to the resource. The CMDI is compatible with other existing frameworks such as IMDI, OLAC, Dublin Core or the TEI header. These features make the CMDI very flexible and adaptable.

Existing components in the CMDI Component Registry, for example from ISO-DCR (ISO 12620) can be combined into a CMDI profile (i.e. tailored metadata XML schema). Beside for searching and inspecting the existing components, the Component Registry can be also be used to create new CMDI metadata components.