June 5, 2020 – ETIM North America and Electro-Federation Canada (EFC) have entered into a strategic alliance to support the digitization, standardization and overall exchange of technical product data for users within the electrical channel.

Specifically, EFC has joined the ETIM NA product classification initiative as a Supporting Association, and ETIM NA has become an EFC Affiliate member.

Product classifications “are essential to digitalize channels and commerce, reducing operating costs and improving service levels,” says ETIM NA, which is responsible for maintaining and promoting the adoption of ETIM standards in Canada, the U.S. and Mexico.

(ETIM was initially developed for the Dutch electrotechnical sector; it then expanded its activities to different industries and countries. Today, the ETIM classification model is available in 17 languages and supported by 22 member organizations—one of which is ETIM NA.)

EFC’s support of ETIM NA will help promote the use of the ETIM classification model and assist manufacturing and distribution companies with the exchange and digitization of product information throughout the Canadian supply chain. This information is also used in places like webstores and building design applications (e.g. CAD and BIM).

EFC members (manufacturers, distributors, agents) will have the opportunity to participate on various ETIM NA committees and share subject-matter expertise to influence standards. This alliance will also ensure the ETIM classification model is relevant to the Canadian market and features French attributes. In reciprocal support, ETIM NA’s executive director, Mary Shaw, will participate on EFC’s Supply Chain Network.

EFC members may also become direct members of ETIM NA, which provides additional benefits, including the ability to vote on standards adoptions.