14 Nov ETIM 9 and the development of the new exchange format
ETIM 9 is in the starting gates since 01 November 2022. At the same time, ETIM International is also working on a new ETIM data exchange format within the “ETIM Data Exchange Project” to replace the current XML exchange format according to the BMEcat ETIM Guideline.
ETIM 9 is here
Since the change of the release cycle last year, a new ETIM version is now published every 2 years. As a result, ETIM 9 has already been published this year. 4890 requests for change from more than 20 countries and 200 new classes can be found in the current ETIM version. Since 01 November there has been the “beta version”. This is where errors are checked and necessary controls are carried out. The final release of ETIM 9 is planned for 05 December 2022.
Original ideas for the new ETIM data exchange format
In addition to ETIM 9, there will be a new data exchange format in the future. Originally, ETIM International wanted to combine the best of ETIM BMEcat, the Dutch DICO standard and the EMDG (European Master Data Guideline). The DICO standard was intended to serve as a foundation on which to eventually build.
However, the DICO standard distinguishes between the product data of an item and the trade data. This caused increasing confusion. While developing the new exchange format, it also became apparent that the needs and wishes of the market had been neglected. For these reasons, all considerations were questioned again.
Latest developments on the new ETIM data exchange format
All parties involved in the process were in agreement: The standard should not be published until it is better than the previous one. In addition, ETIM International has made a clear commitment to develop a standard that meets market needs.
Therefore, in July, a small group of ETIM staff and others intensively involved in the development of the relevant standards met. The result was that both DICO and EMDG formats would need to be considered. However, it would not be DICO that would serve as the basis, but EMDG.
Conversely, this may mean that BMEcat could be replaced as the exchange format for ETIM.
What are the implications of these developments for you
In order to prepare yourself in the best possible way for ETIM 9 or the developments around the exchange format, you should take the following steps to heart:
- When it comes to the exchange format, the motto is to wait and see when and, more importantly, what happens. There will certainly be a transition phase. You can always find up-to-date information on the ETIM International site as well.
- Check whether the ETIM version you are currently using to classify your products meets the future requirements of your customers. For example, if you are currently classifying according to ETIM 6, but your customers require ETIM 9 in the future, you should consider switching to a current version as soon as possible.
- Analyze which adjustments have to be made to the product classifications for the new version and carry them out.
Do you need help with ETIM?
We are happy to support you in the analysis of your data, as well as in the classification of your products according to ETIM 9. For an analysis of your data we need in the best case a BMEcat. If you only have an EXCEL / CSV file with very little information at hand, this is also sufficient.
Contact us for an analysis or if you have any questions about ETIM.