GS1 standards for EDI

EDI uses standard languages in a structured way, each language being made up of messages relating to a type of information exchange (to be defined: delivery note, order, invoice, etc.).

GS1, a global organisation active in the standardisation of coding systems in the supply chain, submits two languages used mainly by trade and industry:

• EANCOM: this language, developed by GS1 in 1990, is based on UN/EDIFACT, a standard set up by the United Nations to provide a set of messages for electronic data interchange for administration, commerce and transport.

  EANCOM is therefore a subset of the UN/EDIFACT standard.
  GS1 ensures that its EANCOM language is compatible with the EDIFACT standard.

• GS1 XML: unlike the EANCOM language, which is based on the UN/EDIFACT standard, GS1 XML is unique to GS1 since, when it was created, no XML standard was available in UN/EDIFACT. XML is a language designed for the exchange of information on the Internet. GS1 XML messages have the advantage of being able to be exchanged using any technical solution or Internet transport protocol.

Choosing an EDI solution that complies with GS1 standards means working with your trading partners by simplifying interactions with them, thanks to the use of a common standard language.