EANCOM is a subset of the EDIFACT (Electronic Data Interchange for Administration, Commerce and Transport) standard. It was created by GS1 as a more detailed message set for the retail and consumer goods sector, and has since been adopted by industries like healthcare and construction.
The name stands for European Article Number Communication. EANCOM provides a standardised format for exchanging electronic business documents such as orders, invoices, and shipping notices. By replacing traditional paper processes, the EANCOM standard helps organisations streamline their supply chains and improve accuracy in digital transactions.
EANCOM and EDIFACT
While EDIFACT is a broad framework for structuring EDI messages, EANCOM is a tailored subset that applies those rules to real-world business transactions. EANCOM messages are built from EDIFACT segments, making them both globally compatible and practical for day-to-day B2B communication.