Upstream does not provide a NEWS file, but says of 8.1:
Version 8.1 of the EPSG Geodetic Parameter Dataset comprises of data
corrections and updates to the v8.0 release of August 2012.
Changes as documented in Change Records through 2012.093, but with
actions still remaining on some change requests.
New data for Brazil, Tonga and the Arctic.
Significant revisions to data for Brunei and Mayotte.
Minor revisions to data for Europe, former Soviet Union and New Zealand.
Update license, and unset RESTRICTED.
Documentation is lo longer included; see epsg-docs.
The new version has updated parameters and has rationalized the use of
terms "supersede", "retire" and "replace".
Version 6.11.1 is the current release of the EPSG dataset,
distributed in an MS Access 97 database and/or as SQL scripts.
It incorporates data received and verified since the release of
Version 6.11 in August 2006.
pkgsrc fixes: SUBST_* improvements (was patching nonexistent file)