In the world of EDI, there are two standards that facilitate the exchange of information between suppliers and trading partners: X12 and EDIFACT. Ultimately, these standards define EDI documents. The main difference is actually pretty simple: X12 is the preferred EDI standard in North America while EDIFACT is used throughout Europe and Asia.
As your business expands globally, you’ll eventually hear about EDIFACT. And if you are already familiar with EDI for your company, your first question will probably be: how is EDIFACT different from X12, the EDI format used throughout North America?
As mentioned, X12 is the EDI standard in North America. It uses three digit codes to identify EDI documents. X12 was created by the Accredited Standards Committee in 1979. For brands doing business with trading partners in North America, X12 will almost always be the EDI standard used.
Commonly applied throughout Europe and Asia, EDIFACT codes consist of six letters. The standard was developed by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe in 1986. For European and Asian based brands doing business with trading partners in those regions, EDIFACT will almost always be the EDI standard used.
Virtually every EDI document has an X12 code and an EDIFACT code. The chart below illustrates:
|
X12 |
EDI Document |
EDIFACT |
|
832 |
Catalog/Pricing |
PRICAT |
|
845 |
Price Authorization Acknowledgement/Status |
ATHSTS |
|
840 |
Request for Quotation |
REQOTE |
|
841 |
Specifications/Technical Information Transactions |
PRDSPE |
|
850 |
Purchase Order |
ORDERS |
|
855 |
Purchase Order Acknowledgement |
ORDRSP |
|
860 |
Purchase Order Change |
ORDCHG |
|
865 |
Purchase Order Change/Request Acknowledgement |
ORDRSP |
|
830 |
Planning Schedule |
DELFOR |
|
862 |
Shipping Schedule |
DELJIT |
|
866 |
Production Sequence |
– |
|
856 |
Advanced Shipping Notice |
DESADV |
|
858 |
Shipment Information |
IFTMCS |
|
861 |
Receiving Advice/Acceptance Certificate |
RECADV |
|
842 |
Nonconformance Report Transaction Set |
NONCON |
|
846 |
Inventory Update |
INVRPT |
|
867 |
Product Transfer and Resale Report |
SLSRPT |
|
810 |
Invoice |
INVOIC |
|
859 |
Freight Invoice |
IFTMCS |
|
820 |
Payment Remittance Advice |
REMADV |
North American based brands that develop relationships with European trading partners will likely find themselves having to use both X12 for the domestic market and EDIFACT for the international efforts. The same works in reverse: European brands expanding into North America will likely have to use X12 for those relationships.
We built our award-winning EDI platform, Lingo, to comply with both X12 and EDIFACT. Whether you’re a North American based brand looking to expand into Europe or Asia or a European or Asian based brand expanding into North America, Lingo ensures that you’re compliant and able to employ the standards your trading partners require – wherever they are.
Need more EDI standards guidance? We’re here to help. Reach out to sales@ezcomsoftware.com or call 201-731-1800.