-

C

1

-

 

Function:

 

To define the characters selected for use as delimiters and indicators in the rest of the interchange that follows.

EDIFACT

Description

UNA1

Component data element separator

M

an1

Used as a separator between component data elements contained within a composite data element (default value: ":")

UNA2

Data element separator

M

an1

Used to separate two simple or composite data elements (default value: "+" )

UNA3

Decimal notation

M

an1

Used to indicate the character used for decimal notation (default value:".")

UNA4

Release indicator

M

an1

Used to restore any service character to its original specification (value: "?").

UNA5

Reserved for future use

M

an1

(default value: space )

UNA6

Segment terminator

M

an1

Used to indicate the end of segment data (default value: " ' ")

Segment Notes:

The service string advice shall begin with the upper case characters UNA immediately followed by six characters in the order shown below. The same character shall not be used in more than one position of the UNA.
This segment is used to inform the receiver of the interchange that a set of service string characters which are different to the default characters are being used.
When using the default set of service characters, the UNA segment need not be sent. If it is sent, it must immediately precede the UNB segment and contain the four service string characters (positions UNA1, UNA2, UNA4 and UNA6) selected by the interchange sender.
Regardless of whether or not all of the service string characters are being changed every data element within this segment must be filled, (i.e., if some default values are being used with user defined ones, both the default and user defined values must be specified).
When expressing the service string characters in the UNA segment, it is not necessary to include any element separators.
The use of the UNA segment is required when using a character set other than level A.
UNA:+.? '