In order to be able to exchange electronic data on an international and cross-industry level, the UN/EDIFACT standard was published in 1987. The globally valid standard EANCOM (EAN + COMmunication) describes the message structures for a standardized exchange by means of electronic data exchange in the consumer goods sector.

Every message structure has a short name, comprising 6 upper case letters. Some examples:

    * ORDERS - Purchase order message
    * DESADV – Despatch advice message
    * RECADV - Receipt advice
    * INVOIC - Invoice message