The GS1 EANCOM® standard is a subset of selected UN/EDIFACT messages, based on UN/EDIFACT directory D.01B, syntax version 4 which was released by UN/CEFACT in 2001. It includes only components that are mandatory and those relevant for the GS1 user community.
This document is the manual for the GS1 EANCOM® 2002 syntax version 3. It is an implementation guideline containing detailed descriptions of the use of the messages and their components to support their electronic exchange between trading partner applications, as well as usage examples and sample data.
This manual is developed by GS1 and represents an integral part of the suite of GS1 supply chain solutions. In this context, the GS1 EANCOM® manual should be read in conjunction with the "GS1 General Specifications" manual which describes the GS1 Identification and Bar Code standards.
It is important to note that the GS1 EANCOM® 2002 syntax versions 3 and 4, replaces the GS1 EANCOM® 1997 syntax version 3, release which was based on UN/EDIFACT directory D.96A. Therefore, at the time of publication of this manual, the GS1 EANCOM® 2002 syntax versions 3 and 4, becomes the GS1 EANCOM® standard.
In terms of future maintenance and processing of new user requirements, work requests will be processed only against GS1 EANCOM® 2002 syntax versions 3 and 4.
It should be noted that Syntax 4 provides security features, such as Digital Signature and Digital Certificates that are not available in Syntax 3. Users that need to implement these security components together with the GS1 EANCOM® messages should refer to the part of this Manual related to Syntax 4.
The GS1 System is an integrated system of
global standards that provides for accurate identification and communication of
information regarding products, assets, services and locations. It is the most
implemented supply chain standards system in the world. It is the foundation of
a wide range of efficiency-building supply chain applications and solutions.
The GS1 system is developed and managed by
GS1, using the GS1 Global Standards Management Process
(GSMP).
The international GS1 Standards include:
- Standard identification of trade items (products or services), logistic units,
assets, locations, service relationships, and other special applications, as
well as supplementary codes to encode variable data.
- Standard data carriers to allow the automatic and secure capture of the standard
identification.
- Global standards for electronic data interchange -EDI that allow
rapid, efficient and accurate automatic electronic transmission of agreed
business data between trading partners.
- Global Data Synchronisation Network™(GDSN™) is an automated, standards-based,
global environment that enables secure and continuous data synchronisation,
allowing all partners to have consistent item data in their systems at the same
time.
- GS1 EPC Global® is a
set of standards that combines RFID (radio frequency identification)
technology, existing communications network infrastructure and the Electronic
Product Code (a number for uniquely identifying an item) to enable immediate
and automatic identification and tracking of an item through the whole supply
chain globally, resulting in improved efficiency and visibility of the supply
chain.
The Electronic Data
Interchange (EDI): the interchange of structured data according to agreed
message standards, by electronic means.
- GS1 EANCOM®
- GS1 XML
- GS1 UN/CEFACT XML
All three sets of GS1 EDI standards are implemented in parallel by different users. Although XML is a newer technology than the GS1 EANCOM®, the latter has a large and constantly growing number of users. UN/CEFACT XML is a GS1 profile (subset) of the UN XML standard; it is meant mainly for users exchanging data with government organisations.
GS1 is going to continue supporting all three sets for as long as it is necessary. Any new developments, however (e.g. messages for sectors new to GS1) by default will be done only in GS1 XML. New GS1 EANCOM® developments in new domains will be done only if there is a justified business reason.
The existing GS1 EANCOM® messages will be supported and developed based on the user needs.
GS1 has defined 11 Identification Keys and 7 of them are currently relevant in the context of GS1 EDI standards, thus they have been included in GS1 XML and GS1 EANCOM®.
The Keys support the identification of trade items, services, locations, logistic units, assets, shipments, consignments, etc. The GS1 Company Prefix assigned to a user company allows that user company to create any of the GS1 identification keys.
- Global
Location Number GLN can be used by companies to identify their physical (physical address) or digital (electronic address) locations, legal entities or functions, giving them complete flexibility to identify any type or level of location required.
- Global
Trade Item Number GTIN can be used by a company to uniquely identify all of its trade items. GS1 defines trade items as products or services that are priced, ordered or invoiced at any point in the supply chain.
- Serial
Shipping Container Code SSCC can be used by companies to identify a logistic unit, which can be any combination of trade items packaged together for storage and/ or transport purposes; for example a case, pallet or parcel.
- Global
Identification Number for Consignment GINC can be used by companies to identify a consignment comprised of one or more logistic units that are intended to be transported.
- Global
Individual Asset Identifier GIAI is one of the two GS1 Keys for asset identification. Companies can apply a GIAI on any asset to uniquely identify and manage that asset. This could be a computer, desk, vehicle, piece of transport equipment, or spare part, as just a few examples.
- Global
Returnable Asset Identifier GRAI is one of two GS1 Keys for asset identification. This GS1 Key is especially suitable for the management of reusable transport items, transport equipment, or tools and can identify these returnable assets by type and if needed also individually for tracking and sorting purposes.
- Global
Shipment Identification Number GSIN is a number assigned by a seller and shipper of goods to identify a shipment comprised of one or more logistic units that are intended to be delivered together.
More information about the Use of GS1 Identification Keys can be found in the document Use of GS1 keys in GS1 EDI messages Guideline.
GS1 has an entire portfolio of Data Carriers
- media that can encode GS1 ID Keys and attribute data in a machine readable
format:
- EAN/UPC family of bar codes that are the most widely used GS1 data
carriers. They are used to scan trade items at the Point-of-Sale and in
logistic applications
- ITF-14 (Interleaved 2-of-5) bar codes carry ID numbers only on trade items
that are not expected to pass through the Point-of-Sale
- The GS1-128
bar code is a subset of the Code 128 Bar Code Symbology. Its use is exclusively
licensed to GS1. This extremely flexible symbology can carry all GS1 Keys and
attributes but cannot be used to identify items crossing Point-of-Sale.
- GS1 DataBar family of bar codes that can be scanned at retail
point-of-sale (POS), are smaller than EAN/UPC and can carry additional
information such as serial numbers, lot numbers of expiry dates. Composite Bar
Code integrates both a GS1 System linear symbol and a 2D Composite Component as
a single symbology and is approved for special healthcare applications.
- GS1
DataMatrix is a "2D Matrix" symbol symbol used for example in healthcare sector. Because GS1
DataMatrix requires camera based scanners it is currently specified for
healthcare items not crossing POS and direct part marking. GS1 QR Code is a
"2D Matrix" symbol and is approved for Extended Packaging applications
using mobile devices for scanning.
- EPC/RFID
tags use Radio-Frequency Identification technology
to encode GS1 ID Keys in the GS1 Electronic Product Code (EPC). RFID works via
a microchip, which stores the relevant data (including the EPC) and reflects
the data to a reader antenna by means of electromagnetic waves. Since these
waves can pass through solid materials, the chips may be shielded by adhesive
film or integrated directly inside the packaging or product.
More information about the GS1 Data Carriers
and GS1 Identification Keys can be found in the GS1 General Specifications -
the core document describing how these standards should be used to comply with
GS1 System.
The Global Data Synchronisation allows exchanging
Master Data in an automated manner.
Master Data are fixed attributes of products
and parties that never (or hardly ever) change. They need to be aligned between
trading partners before any transactional messages, like, Order, Despatch
Advice or Invoice are exchanged. In these transactional messages they are
referenced by the GS1 Identifications Keys. The Master Data related to them are
retrieved from the company's data base via these ID keys.
The Master Data can be exchanged directly
between trading partners, but far more efficient way is to use the Global Data
Synchronisation Network comprised of:
- Certified
Data Pools - interoperable electronic catalogues standardised master
data, ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of user information.
- GS1 Global Registry - acting as the "information
directory" identifying where information is held across the network and
enabling the uniqueness of the registered items and parties.
User companies (e.g. manufacturers) can
publish their Master Data in one of the Data Pools and their trading partners
(e.g. retailers) can subscribe to receive notification whenever any of the
attributes change or new product descriptions are published. The Data Pools
contact the Global Registry to check where the information is stored and
synchronise it directly with the Data Pool storing requested information. The
relevant subset is then sent to the requesting user.
This infrastructure supporting standards
ensure that all participating trading partners have access to most up to date
Master Data relevant to them.
EANCOM® 2002 is published in an additional
syntax version 4 as a result of enhancements that have been incorporated in
UN/EDIFACT being mainly application level syntax rules. The new features that
are used in the present release are summarised below.
- The following additions have been made to Syntax
4 that are not available in Syntax 3:
- The coverage of character sets has been extended
with the following character set levels: G to K, X and Y.
-
Multiple occurrences of stand-alone composite
data elements are permitted. To support this capability a new service character
'*' has been introduced as "repetition separator". This new feature
is only used in the KEYMAN message, in segment USA for the repetition of
composite data element S503.
-
In the UNA segment, position UNA5 is used for the
repetition separator '*'.
-
A single set of default service characters is
defined, independent of the character set level.
-
In the UNB segment, the format of data element
0017 has been extended to 'n8' in order to conform to year 2000 requirements.
-
In the UNG segment, the format of data element
0017 has been extended to 'n8' in order to conform to year 2000 requirements.
In addition, the status of all simple data elements except 0048 and composite
data elements is conditional.
-
In the UNH segment, the new data element 0110
permits to specify the version number of the code list directory used.
-
The UGH/UGT anti-collision segment group has
been added which may be used in a UN/EDIFACT message when it is not otherwise
possible to ensure unambiguous identification of each message segment upon
receipt.
-
The CONTRL service message, previously developed
and published as a separate document, is now part of the syntax rules.
In the PAYDUC message, the UGH/UGT segment
group anti-collision technique has been used. As such, PAYDUC must use version
4 of the syntax rules.
Two new service messages have been added:
AUTACK which applies security services (digital signature) to other UN/EDIFACT
structures and KEYMAN which provides a capability of managing security keys and
certificates.
From a user point of view there may be four
reasons why the implementation of the EANCOM® syntax version 4,
2002, release might be taken into consideration:
-
Extensive coverage of all written languages of
the world
-
Payroll deduction advice message (PAYDUC)
-
Explicit identification of the EANCOM®
code list version used
-
Digital signature
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Edition 2016 |
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