EANCOM Standard for EDI

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.

EANCOM was originally developed for the retail industry but is now widely used in:

• Retail and consumer goods – for efficient purchase orders and invoicing
• Healthcare – for secure supply chain communication between hospitals, suppliers, and distributors
• Construction – to manage procurement and logistics across contractors and suppliers

Its efficiency makes EDI EANCOM a strong choice for any organisation that needs to exchange large volumes of business documents quickly and accurately. 

TrueCommerce offers EDI solutions which utilise and uphold EANCOM standards for small, medium and large organisations.  

EANCOM messages are the electronic equivalent of paper business documents. The most widely used include:

• ORDERS – Purchase Order
• ORDRSP – Order Response / Confirmation
• DESADV – Despatch Advice (ASN)
• INVOIC – Invoice
• RECADV – Receipt Advice
• CREADV – Credit Advice
• PAYMUL – Payment
• PRICAT – Price Catalogue
• INVRPT – Inventory Report
• SLSRPT – Sales Report

Each of these follows the EANCOM format, ensuring messages such as EANCOM ORDERS and EANCOM DESADV are consistent across systems and trading partners.

The EANCOM framework goes beyond exchanging single documents. It covers the entire trade transaction process, helping businesses:

• Send purchase orders, invoices, and other trade documents electronically
• Share logistics information such as shipping and delivery updates
• Transmit financial messages like payment instructions and credit advice

By using the EANCOM EDIFACT format, companies reduce errors, improve visibility across the supply chain, and ensure smooth communication between all partners.

At present there are currently three versions of EANCOM. Each version caters to different needs and evolving standards within the consumer goods industry. In fact, EANCOM is often recognised for its adaptability and flexibility.

The three versions of EANCOM are: 

• D93A
• D96A
• D01B 

The most common way to exchange EDI EANCOM messages is via secure communication networks such as AS2 or through a Value-Added Network (VAN). These ensure that EANCOM EDIFACT messages (like ORDERS, DESADV, and INVOIC) are delivered in a structured, standardised format that all trading partners can process reliably.