October 30, 2015 – The Industry Data Exchange Association (IDEA) has become the first non-European member of ETIM International, the international standardization organization responsible for managing the European Technical Information Model (ETIM).

Representing Canada and the United States, IDEA says it will support its customers who require ETIM—the European equivalent to the UNSPSC (United Nations Standard Products and Services Code)-based Electrical Attribute Schema—and will create an adaptation of the ETIM model geared toward the needs of the North American market.

“The growing partnership between ETIM International and IDEA will provide a North American voice in the ongoing development of ETIM,” says Franz Ernst, president of ETIM International. “This alignment will help make international business in the electrical industry more efficient while also allowing ETIM International to better understand the needs of the North American market.”

IDEA notes it originally led the development of the UNSPSC-based Schema to give electrical manufacturers a guide for providing descriptive marketing content to their trading partners throughout the US and Canada. In 2012, IDEA partnered with ETIM International in an effort to align the Schema with ETIM and make it easier for manufacturers to share their marketing content with their US, Canadian, and European-based distributors at the same time.

In support of the standard, Mike Wentz, IDEA’s executive vice-president will join the ETIM board and Mary Shaw, IDEA’s director of eBusiness Standards, will develop and manage an ETIM committee, made up of manufacturers and distributors with a global presence, to assist in the development of the North American adaptation of ETIM. The adaptation will include translation, metric/imperial measurements, regulatory requirements, etc., ETIM explains.

“With rising frequency, our customers are working across borders, and we recognize that global business requires more flexibility,” said Paul Molitor, president  & CEO of IDEA. “To meet this need, IDEA will continue to own and support the Electrical Attribute Schema for our domestic customers while simultaneously supporting the European model for our global customers.”