UN/CEFACT
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UN/CEFACT UNECE global trade facilitation.
Definition
UN/CEFACT key publications: UN/EDIFACT (United Nations Electronic Data Interchange For Administration, Commerce and Transport, ~200 messages including ORDERS, INVOIC, IFTMIN, DESADV, etc.), Core Components Library (CCL), Core Components Technical Specification (CCTS), Business Requirements Specification (BRS), Requirements Specification Mapping (RSM). EDIFACT directories published bi-annually: D.96A, D.07A, D.16B, etc. Domains: Buy-Ship-Pay, Supply Chain, Travel/Tourism/Leisure, Procurement, Cross-Industry, Construction, etc. Headquartered UNECE Geneva, recurring Forum.
Its structure includes a Plenary, a Bureau and Programme Development Areas (PDAs: International Trade Procedures, International Supply Chain, Regulatory and eGovernment, Sectoral, and Methodology and Technology). Its work rests on the UN/CEFACT Modelling Methodology (UMM) and produces reference data models (Supply Chain, Buy-Ship-Pay). UN/EDIFACT directories are released twice a year, for example D.24A and D.24B in 2024.
Origin
UN/CEFACT predecessor WP.4 created 1960 by UNECE ; rebrand UN/CEFACT 1997 ; ongoing biannual Forum with ~600 experts globally.
UN/CEFACT's establishment, approved at the end of 1996, was confirmed by UNECE in February 1997; the Centre's first meeting was held in March 1997.
Example in context
A Swiss manufacturer exports to China ; uses UN/EDIFACT IFTMIN D.16B (International Forwarding and Transport Message Instruction) for maritime container booking with MSC ; conformity to UN/CEFACT directory.
Related terms
- UN/CEFACT TCG — technical sub-group.
- OASIS — XML standards body (UBL).