The id attribute is the QIF id of the characteristic, used for referencing.
Source
<xs:complexType name="SurfaceProfileCharacteristicMeasurementType"><xs:annotation><xs:documentation>The SurfaceProfileCharacteristicMeasurementType defines the results of a measured profile of a surface characteristic evaluation.</xs:documentation></xs:annotation><xs:complexContent><xs:extension base="ProfileCharacteristicMeasurementBaseType"/></xs:complexContent></xs:complexType>