UDC 658.5 SEMANTIC APPROACH FOR INTEROPERABILITY AND DATA INTEGRATION IN MANUFACTURING OPERATION MANAGEMENT © Daniela Gocheva, PhD, University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy, Sofia, Bulgaria Dimitar Georgiev, PhD Student, University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy, Sofia, Bulgaria Idilia Batchkova, Dr, Professor, University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy, Sofia, Bulgaria Abstract. <...> In this paper a semantic approach for achieving interoperability, data and information integration in Manufacturing Operation Systems (MOM) is presented. <...> The suggested approach is based on collaborative use of ontologies, relational databases, and ISO/IEC62264 standard for design and integration of systems. <...> The developed ontology-based approach for interoperability in MOM enterprise systems facilitates models reusability and ability to integrate models and operating rules enabling unified access, retrieval and sharing of data and information. <...> A case study of a system for quality assurance in a lead production plant is presented. <...> INTRODUCTION Manufactur ing Operat ion Management/ Manufacturing Execution Systems (MOM/MES) need to use a large amount of data from applications which are based on different data models: laboratory data, maintenance data, inventory, and so on. <...> By using Semantic web technologies [1] a modern MOM/MES system can be designed incrementally based on existing data and data models and can be integrated with capabilities that enable them to adapt and capitalize on rapidly changing scenarios, providing better access to information resources, ensuring better decision making. <...> The Semantic Web (Web of data) provides standards and technologies to build a common framework based on structured and machine-readable content that allows data to be shared and reused. <...> According to Dean Allemang [1], the challenge for the design of Semantic Web is not to make a web infrastructure that is as smart as possible; it is to make an infrastructure that is most appropriate to the job of integrating information. <...> The vision of the Semantic Web to share data as far as possible using existing tools and working practices is not only valuable on an open environment like the Web, but also in closed systems such as in industry enterprises [2]. <...> The Semantic Web has moved from being an academic endeavour <...>