diff --git a/Cargo.lock b/Cargo.lock
index c51493f6a..7b10a3abd 100644
--- a/Cargo.lock
+++ b/Cargo.lock
@@ -3095,6 +3095,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "image",
  "krilla",
  "krilla-svg",
+ "serde",
  "typst-assets",
  "typst-library",
  "typst-macros",
diff --git a/crates/typst-cli/src/args.rs b/crates/typst-cli/src/args.rs
index b29b2f076..c070bc800 100644
--- a/crates/typst-cli/src/args.rs
+++ b/crates/typst-cli/src/args.rs
@@ -241,10 +241,6 @@ pub struct CompileArgs {
     #[arg(long = "pages", value_delimiter = ',')]
     pub pages: Option<Vec<Pages>>,
 
-    /// The version of the produced PDF.
-    #[arg(long = "pdf-version")]
-    pub pdf_version: Option<PdfVersion>,
-
     /// One (or multiple comma-separated) PDF standards that Typst will enforce
     /// conformance with.
     #[arg(long = "pdf-standard", value_delimiter = ',')]
@@ -467,10 +463,10 @@ pub enum Feature {
 
 display_possible_values!(Feature);
 
-/// A PDF version.
+/// A PDF standard that Typst can enforce conformance with.
 #[derive(Debug, Copy, Clone, Eq, PartialEq, ValueEnum)]
 #[allow(non_camel_case_types)]
-pub enum PdfVersion {
+pub enum PdfStandard {
     /// PDF 1.4.
     #[value(name = "1.4")]
     V_1_4,
@@ -486,14 +482,6 @@ pub enum PdfVersion {
     /// PDF 2.0.
     #[value(name = "2.0")]
     V_2_0,
-}
-
-display_possible_values!(PdfVersion);
-
-/// A PDF standard that Typst can enforce conformance with.
-#[derive(Debug, Copy, Clone, Eq, PartialEq, ValueEnum)]
-#[allow(non_camel_case_types)]
-pub enum PdfStandard {
     /// PDF/A-1b.
     #[value(name = "a-1b")]
     A_1b,
@@ -520,6 +508,8 @@ pub enum PdfStandard {
     A_4e,
 }
 
+display_possible_values!(PdfStandard);
+
 // Output file format for query command
 #[derive(Debug, Default, Copy, Clone, Eq, PartialEq, ValueEnum)]
 pub enum SerializationFormat {
diff --git a/crates/typst-cli/src/compile.rs b/crates/typst-cli/src/compile.rs
index 1e49f2116..4edb4c323 100644
--- a/crates/typst-cli/src/compile.rs
+++ b/crates/typst-cli/src/compile.rs
@@ -18,11 +18,11 @@ use typst::html::HtmlDocument;
 use typst::layout::{Frame, Page, PageRanges, PagedDocument};
 use typst::syntax::{FileId, Source, Span};
 use typst::WorldExt;
-use typst_pdf::{PdfOptions, Timestamp, Validator};
+use typst_pdf::{PdfOptions, PdfStandards, Timestamp};
 
 use crate::args::{
     CompileArgs, CompileCommand, DiagnosticFormat, Input, Output, OutputFormat,
-    PdfStandard, PdfVersion, WatchCommand,
+    PdfStandard, WatchCommand,
 };
 #[cfg(feature = "http-server")]
 use crate::server::HtmlServer;
@@ -63,10 +63,8 @@ pub struct CompileConfig {
     /// Opens the output file with the default viewer or a specific program after
     /// compilation.
     pub open: Option<Option<String>>,
-    /// The version that should be used to export the PDF.
-    pub pdf_version: Option<PdfVersion>,
     /// A list of standards the PDF should conform to.
-    pub pdf_standard: Vec<PdfStandard>,
+    pub pdf_standards: PdfStandards,
     /// A path to write a Makefile rule describing the current compilation.
     pub make_deps: Option<PathBuf>,
     /// The PPI (pixels per inch) to use for PNG export.
@@ -131,6 +129,10 @@ impl CompileConfig {
             PageRanges::new(export_ranges.iter().map(|r| r.0.clone()).collect())
         });
 
+        let pdf_standards = PdfStandards::new(
+            &args.pdf_standard.iter().copied().map(Into::into).collect::<Vec<_>>(),
+        )?;
+
         #[cfg(feature = "http-server")]
         let server = match watch {
             Some(command)
@@ -147,8 +149,7 @@ impl CompileConfig {
             output,
             output_format,
             pages,
-            pdf_version: args.pdf_version,
-            pdf_standard: args.pdf_standard.clone(),
+            pdf_standards,
             creation_timestamp: args.world.creation_timestamp,
             make_deps: args.make_deps.clone(),
             ppi: args.ppi,
@@ -285,44 +286,11 @@ fn export_pdf(document: &PagedDocument, config: &CompileConfig) -> SourceResult<
         }
     };
 
-    let validator = match config.pdf_standard.first() {
-        None => None,
-        Some(s) => {
-            let validator = if config.pdf_standard.len() > 1 {
-                bail!(Span::detached(), "cannot export using more than one PDF standard";
-                    hint: "typst currently only supports export using \
-                    one standard at the same time");
-            } else {
-                match s {
-                    PdfStandard::A_1b => Validator::A_1b,
-                    PdfStandard::A_2b => Validator::A_2b,
-                    PdfStandard::A_2u => Validator::A_2u,
-                    PdfStandard::A_3b => Validator::A_3b,
-                    PdfStandard::A_3u => Validator::A_3u,
-                    PdfStandard::A_4 => Validator::A_4,
-                    PdfStandard::A_4f => Validator::A_4f,
-                    PdfStandard::A_4e => Validator::A_4e,
-                }
-            };
-
-            Some(validator)
-        }
-    };
-
-    let pdf_version = config.pdf_version.map(|v| match v {
-        PdfVersion::V_1_4 => typst_pdf::PdfVersion::Pdf14,
-        PdfVersion::V_1_5 => typst_pdf::PdfVersion::Pdf15,
-        PdfVersion::V_1_6 => typst_pdf::PdfVersion::Pdf16,
-        PdfVersion::V_1_7 => typst_pdf::PdfVersion::Pdf17,
-        PdfVersion::V_2_0 => typst_pdf::PdfVersion::Pdf20,
-    });
-
     let options = PdfOptions {
         ident: Smart::Auto,
         timestamp,
         page_ranges: config.pages.clone(),
-        validator,
-        pdf_version,
+        standards: config.pdf_standards.clone(),
     };
     let buffer = typst_pdf::pdf(document, &options)?;
     config
@@ -788,3 +756,23 @@ impl<'a> codespan_reporting::files::Files<'a> for SystemWorld {
         })
     }
 }
+
+impl From<PdfStandard> for typst_pdf::PdfStandard {
+    fn from(standard: PdfStandard) -> Self {
+        match standard {
+            PdfStandard::V_1_4 => typst_pdf::PdfStandard::V_1_4,
+            PdfStandard::V_1_5 => typst_pdf::PdfStandard::V_1_5,
+            PdfStandard::V_1_6 => typst_pdf::PdfStandard::V_1_6,
+            PdfStandard::V_1_7 => typst_pdf::PdfStandard::V_1_7,
+            PdfStandard::V_2_0 => typst_pdf::PdfStandard::V_2_0,
+            PdfStandard::A_1b => typst_pdf::PdfStandard::A_1b,
+            PdfStandard::A_2b => typst_pdf::PdfStandard::A_2b,
+            PdfStandard::A_2u => typst_pdf::PdfStandard::A_2u,
+            PdfStandard::A_3b => typst_pdf::PdfStandard::A_3b,
+            PdfStandard::A_3u => typst_pdf::PdfStandard::A_3u,
+            PdfStandard::A_4 => typst_pdf::PdfStandard::A_4,
+            PdfStandard::A_4f => typst_pdf::PdfStandard::A_4f,
+            PdfStandard::A_4e => typst_pdf::PdfStandard::A_4e,
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/crates/typst-pdf/Cargo.toml b/crates/typst-pdf/Cargo.toml
index 3deda2cc8..f6f08b5bc 100644
--- a/crates/typst-pdf/Cargo.toml
+++ b/crates/typst-pdf/Cargo.toml
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ ecow = { workspace = true }
 image = { workspace = true }
 krilla = { workspace = true }
 krilla-svg = { workspace = true }
+serde = { workspace = true }
 
 [lints]
 workspace = true
diff --git a/crates/typst-pdf/src/convert.rs b/crates/typst-pdf/src/convert.rs
index 5a35c2519..0db7b8855 100644
--- a/crates/typst-pdf/src/convert.rs
+++ b/crates/typst-pdf/src/convert.rs
@@ -38,15 +38,13 @@ pub fn convert(
     typst_document: &PagedDocument,
     options: &PdfOptions,
 ) -> SourceResult<Vec<u8>> {
-    let configuration = get_configuration(options)?;
-
     let settings = SerializeSettings {
         compress_content_streams: true,
         no_device_cs: true,
         ascii_compatible: false,
         xmp_metadata: true,
         cmyk_profile: None,
-        configuration,
+        configuration: options.standards.config,
         enable_tagging: false,
         render_svg_glyph_fn: render_svg_glyph,
     };
@@ -68,7 +66,7 @@ pub fn convert(
     document.set_outline(build_outline(&gc));
     document.set_metadata(build_metadata(&gc));
 
-    finish(document, gc, configuration)
+    finish(document, gc, options.standards.config)
 }
 
 fn convert_pages(gc: &mut GlobalContext, document: &mut Document) -> SourceResult<()> {
@@ -606,37 +604,6 @@ fn collect_named_destinations(
     locs_to_names
 }
 
-fn get_configuration(options: &PdfOptions) -> SourceResult<Configuration> {
-    let config = match (options.pdf_version, options.validator) {
-        (None, None) => {
-            Configuration::new_with_version(krilla::configure::PdfVersion::Pdf17)
-        }
-        (Some(pdf), None) => Configuration::new_with_version(pdf.into()),
-        (None, Some(v)) => Configuration::new_with_validator(v.into()),
-        (Some(pdf), Some(v)) => {
-            let pdf = pdf.into();
-            let v = v.into();
-
-            match Configuration::new_with(v, pdf) {
-                Some(c) => c,
-                None => {
-                    let pdf_string = pdf.as_str();
-                    let s_string = v.as_str();
-
-                    let h_message = format!(
-                        "export using version {} instead",
-                        v.recommended_version().as_str()
-                    );
-
-                    bail!(Span::detached(), "{pdf_string} is not compatible with {s_string}"; hint: "{h_message}");
-                }
-            }
-        }
-    };
-
-    Ok(config)
-}
-
 pub(crate) struct PageIndexConverter {
     page_indices: HashMap<usize, usize>,
     skipped_pages: usize,
diff --git a/crates/typst-pdf/src/lib.rs b/crates/typst-pdf/src/lib.rs
index 171a05786..c7bae57ac 100644
--- a/crates/typst-pdf/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/typst-pdf/src/lib.rs
@@ -12,7 +12,11 @@ mod shape;
 mod text;
 mod util;
 
-use typst_library::diag::SourceResult;
+use std::fmt::{self, Debug, Formatter};
+
+use ecow::eco_format;
+use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
+use typst_library::diag::{bail, SourceResult, StrResult};
 use typst_library::foundations::{Datetime, Smart};
 use typst_library::layout::{PageRanges, PagedDocument};
 
@@ -24,73 +28,6 @@ pub fn pdf(document: &PagedDocument, options: &PdfOptions) -> SourceResult<Vec<u
     convert::convert(document, options)
 }
 
-/// The version of a PDF document.
-#[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug, PartialEq, Eq, PartialOrd, Ord)]
-pub enum PdfVersion {
-    /// PDF 1.4.
-    Pdf14,
-    /// PDF 1.5.
-    Pdf15,
-    /// PDF 1.6.
-    Pdf16,
-    /// PDF 1.7.
-    Pdf17,
-    /// PDF 2.0.
-    Pdf20,
-}
-
-impl From<PdfVersion> for krilla::configure::PdfVersion {
-    fn from(value: PdfVersion) -> Self {
-        match value {
-            PdfVersion::Pdf14 => krilla::configure::PdfVersion::Pdf14,
-            PdfVersion::Pdf15 => krilla::configure::PdfVersion::Pdf15,
-            PdfVersion::Pdf16 => krilla::configure::PdfVersion::Pdf16,
-            PdfVersion::Pdf17 => krilla::configure::PdfVersion::Pdf17,
-            PdfVersion::Pdf20 => krilla::configure::PdfVersion::Pdf20,
-        }
-    }
-}
-
-/// A validator for exporting PDF documents to a specific subset of PDF.
-#[derive(Copy, Clone, Debug, PartialEq, Eq)]
-#[allow(non_camel_case_types)]
-pub enum Validator {
-    /// The validator for the PDF/A1-A standard.
-    A1_A,
-    /// The validator for the PDF/A1-B standard.
-    A_1b,
-    /// The validator for the PDF/A2-B standard.
-    A_2b,
-    /// The validator for the PDF/A2-U standard.
-    A_2u,
-    /// The validator for the PDF/A3-B standard.
-    A_3b,
-    /// The validator for the PDF/A3-U standard.
-    A_3u,
-    /// The validator for the PDF/A4 standard.
-    A_4,
-    /// The validator for the PDF/A4f standard.
-    A_4f,
-    /// The validator for the PDF/A4e standard.
-    A_4e,
-}
-
-impl From<Validator> for krilla::configure::Validator {
-    fn from(value: Validator) -> Self {
-        match value {
-            Validator::A1_A => krilla::configure::Validator::A1_A,
-            Validator::A_1b => krilla::configure::Validator::A1_B,
-            Validator::A_2b => krilla::configure::Validator::A2_B,
-            Validator::A_2u => krilla::configure::Validator::A2_U,
-            Validator::A_3b => krilla::configure::Validator::A3_B,
-            Validator::A_3u => krilla::configure::Validator::A3_U,
-            Validator::A_4 => krilla::configure::Validator::A4,
-            Validator::A_4f => krilla::configure::Validator::A4F,
-            Validator::A_4e => krilla::configure::Validator::A4E,
-        }
-    }
-}
-
 /// Settings for PDF export.
 #[derive(Debug, Default)]
 pub struct PdfOptions<'a> {
@@ -112,10 +49,138 @@ pub struct PdfOptions<'a> {
     /// Specifies which ranges of pages should be exported in the PDF. When
     /// `None`, all pages should be exported.
     pub page_ranges: Option<PageRanges>,
-    /// The version that should be used to export the PDF.
-    pub pdf_version: Option<PdfVersion>,
-    /// A standard the PDF should conform to.
-    pub validator: Option<Validator>,
+    /// A list of PDF standards that Typst will enforce conformance with.
+    pub standards: PdfStandards,
+}
+
+/// Encapsulates a list of compatible PDF standards.
+#[derive(Clone)]
+pub struct PdfStandards {
+    pub(crate) config: krilla::configure::Configuration,
+}
+
+impl PdfStandards {
+    /// Validates a list of PDF standards for compatibility and returns their
+    /// encapsulated representation.
+    pub fn new(list: &[PdfStandard]) -> StrResult<Self> {
+        use krilla::configure::{Configuration, PdfVersion, Validator};
+
+        let mut version: Option<PdfVersion> = None;
+        let mut set_version = |v: PdfVersion| -> StrResult<()> {
+            if let Some(prev) = version {
+                bail!(
+                    "PDF cannot conform to {} and {} at the same time",
+                    prev.as_str(),
+                    v.as_str()
+                );
+            }
+            version = Some(v);
+            Ok(())
+        };
+
+        let mut validator = None;
+        let mut set_validator = |v: Validator| -> StrResult<()> {
+            if validator.is_some() {
+                bail!("Typst currently only supports one PDF substandard at a time");
+            }
+            validator = Some(v);
+            Ok(())
+        };
+
+        for standard in list {
+            match standard {
+                PdfStandard::V_1_4 => set_version(PdfVersion::Pdf14)?,
+                PdfStandard::V_1_5 => set_version(PdfVersion::Pdf15)?,
+                PdfStandard::V_1_6 => set_version(PdfVersion::Pdf16)?,
+                PdfStandard::V_1_7 => set_version(PdfVersion::Pdf17)?,
+                PdfStandard::V_2_0 => set_version(PdfVersion::Pdf20)?,
+                PdfStandard::A_1b => set_validator(Validator::A1_B)?,
+                PdfStandard::A_2b => set_validator(Validator::A2_B)?,
+                PdfStandard::A_2u => set_validator(Validator::A2_U)?,
+                PdfStandard::A_3b => set_validator(Validator::A3_B)?,
+                PdfStandard::A_3u => set_validator(Validator::A3_U)?,
+                PdfStandard::A_4 => set_validator(Validator::A4)?,
+                PdfStandard::A_4f => set_validator(Validator::A4F)?,
+                PdfStandard::A_4e => set_validator(Validator::A4E)?,
+            }
+        }
+
+        let version = version.unwrap_or(PdfVersion::Pdf17);
+        let validator = validator.unwrap_or_default();
+
+        let config = Configuration::new_with(validator, version).ok_or_else(|| {
+            eco_format!(
+                "{} is not compatible with {}",
+                version.as_str(),
+                validator.as_str()
+            )
+        })?;
+
+        Ok(Self { config })
+    }
+}
+
+impl Debug for PdfStandards {
+    fn fmt(&self, f: &mut Formatter<'_>) -> fmt::Result {
+        f.pad("PdfStandards(..)")
+    }
+}
+
+impl Default for PdfStandards {
+    fn default() -> Self {
+        use krilla::configure::{Configuration, PdfVersion};
+        Self {
+            config: Configuration::new_with_version(PdfVersion::Pdf17),
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+/// A PDF standard that Typst can enforce conformance with.
+///
+/// Support for more standards is planned.
+#[derive(Debug, Copy, Clone, Eq, PartialEq, Serialize, Deserialize)]
+#[allow(non_camel_case_types)]
+#[non_exhaustive]
+pub enum PdfStandard {
+    /// PDF 1.4.
+    #[serde(rename = "1.4")]
+    V_1_4,
+    /// PDF 1.5.
+    #[serde(rename = "1.5")]
+    V_1_5,
+    /// PDF 1.5.
+    #[serde(rename = "1.6")]
+    V_1_6,
+    /// PDF 1.7.
+    #[serde(rename = "1.7")]
+    V_1_7,
+    /// PDF 2.0.
+    #[serde(rename = "2.0")]
+    V_2_0,
+    /// PDF/A-1b.
+    #[serde(rename = "a-1b")]
+    A_1b,
+    /// PDF/A-2b.
+    #[serde(rename = "a-2b")]
+    A_2b,
+    /// PDF/A-2u.
+    #[serde(rename = "a-2u")]
+    A_2u,
+    /// PDF/A-3u.
+    #[serde(rename = "a-3b")]
+    A_3b,
+    /// PDF/A-3u.
+    #[serde(rename = "a-3u")]
+    A_3u,
+    /// PDF/A-4.
+    #[serde(rename = "a-4")]
+    A_4,
+    /// PDF/A-4f.
+    #[serde(rename = "a-4f")]
+    A_4f,
+    /// PDF/A-4e.
+    #[serde(rename = "a-4e")]
+    A_4e,
 }
 
 /// A timestamp with timezone information.