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We have augmented the UnitsML work with the concept of units specialization, i.e., where an unitsml instance document can add properties to an existing unit, referenced from a separate unitsml instance document. The ability to specialize is needed for us to create an units description where we can leverage standard XML-validation to ensure that the units are the proper dimension, e.g., a weight quantity should have units of oz, lb, kg, etc. The existing approach is to use secondary XSLT-style validation to ensure the values across properties, e.g., QuantityReference, are indeed appropriate. Our preference, given we want to enable standard XML-validation for ensuring proper units, is to be able to point to a more official description of the units for getting values for the other properties - hence our approach of specialization. 

We have in initial, untested version of an extended UnitsML Schema, a local version of the "database", and a schema that provides the notion of "types" for the various units that can be used in our other OpenMail^TM interfaces for provided XML validation of units. These documents are available in the UnitsML Document Library. We have spoken with some NIST UnitML representatives to ensure that this approach is synergistic with their work. 

CAVEAT: The work we've done, re: extending the UnitsML Schema is very preliminary. We are hoping to revisit the work to improve the support for specialization. It is possible that there is another Web technology (e.g., CURIEs) that may provide a better mechanism.