EDIFACT (UN/EDIFACT)
Quick answer
The UN international standard for EDI messages, dominant in Europe for B2B commercial document exchange.
Key takeaways
- Segments - data blocks (e.g. NAD = name and address, LIN = product line)
- Data elements - the fields within each segment
- Delimiters - characters separating segments and elements
- Directories (D.96A, D.01B) - the standard's versions
What EDIFACT is
UN/EDIFACT (Electronic Data Interchange for Administration, Commerce and Transport) is the UN's international standard for EDI messages. It is the most used standard in Europe (including Romania), defining the structure of messages like ORDERS, DESADV, INVOIC.
Structure of an EDIFACT message
- Segments - data blocks (e.g. NAD = name and address, LIN = product line)
- Data elements - the fields within each segment
- Delimiters - characters separating segments and elements
- Directories (D.96A, D.01B) - the standard's versions
EDIFACT vs ANSI X12
EDIFACT dominates in Europe and Asia; ANSI X12 in North America. A European partner almost certainly uses EDIFACT (often in the GS1 EANCOM subset).
How CRMconnect helps
The CRMconnect EDI module generates and interprets EDIFACT/EANCOM messages compliant with each retailer's requirements, automatically mapping between EDIFACT structure and your ERP data - no standard expertise required.
Real-world example
A supplier had to send INVOIC in EDIFACT D.96A to one retailer and D.01B to another. CRMconnect handles both versions automatically, mapping the same internal data into each partner's required structure.
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Frequently asked
Difference between EDIFACT and EANCOM?+
EANCOM is an EDIFACT subset, standardised by GS1 for consumer-goods commerce. It uses the same EDIFACT structure but with GS1 rules (GTIN, GLN, SSCC) - most common in European retail.
What are directories D.96A, D.01B?+
Releases of the EDIFACT standard. Each defines exactly which segments and elements are allowed. Partners must agree the version for messages to be interpreted correctly.
Do I need to understand EDIFACT to do EDI?+
No. An EDI module like CRMconnect hides the complexity: you work with ERP data, and the system generates/reads EDIFACT per each partner's requirements.
Where CRMconnect fits
Related terms
EDI (Electronic Data Interchange)
Structured exchange of commercial documents between B2B partners, without emails or manual data entry.
TechnologyANSI X12
The dominant EDI standard in North America, used for commercial document exchange between B2B partners.
TechnologyGS1
The global organization managing trade identification standards: GTIN (EAN), GLN, SSCC, EANCOM.
TechnologyEDI mapping
Translating between the standard EDI message structure and your ERP's data format, for automatic processing.