GS1-EANCOM
GS1 EANCOM. The EDIFACT subset that GS1 has maintained for retail since 1987.
Definition
GS1 EANCOM is an EDIFACT subset, maintained by GS1, designed for retail flows. It restricts EDIFACT messages to a sharp operational subset (ORDERS, ORDRSP, DESADV, INVOIC, REMADV, RECADV, PRICAT), with constrained code lists and strict alignment on GS1 identifiers (GLN, GTIN, SSCC).
Origin
EANCOM was first published in 1987 by EAN International (which became GS1 in 2005), shortly after the first EDIFACT 1987.1 release. The manual evolved through editions in 1990, 1993, 1997, 2002 and 2012 (EANCOM 2002 S4). It remains the dominant EDIFACT implementation in European retail and is republished by GS1 Italy, GS1 Germany, GS1 France and most national MOs.
Example in context
An EANCOM 2002 S4 ORDERS message issued by a retail chain differs from a plain UN/CEFACT ORDERS by: systematic use of the GLN to identify parties (NAD+BY+...:9), the GTIN for items (LIN++GTIN-EAN13:SRV), the stack of additional product codes via PIA, and an FTX restricted to GS1-documented qualifiers. Segments optional in UN/CEFACT are made mandatory by contract.