BMEcat Definition
BMEcat is an XML-based data exchange format for product catalogs, developed by the German Federal Association for Materials Management, Purchasing and Logistics (BME). It defines a standard structure for transferring product data (descriptions, prices, attributes, and classifications) between suppliers and buyers.
What is it used for?
BMEcat is an established B2B catalog exchange format used in manufacturing, wholesale, and procurement. A supplier exports their product catalog as a BMEcat file; the buyer's procurement or ERP system imports it directly — no manual data entry, no reformatting.
Who uses it?
It is common in electronics, industrial supplies, and construction, and is still required by many procurement platforms and e-procurement systems across Germany and the broader European B2B market. BMEcat is a mature standard (its last version was released in 2005, and ETIM International has officially replaced it with a newer JSON-based format called ETIM xChange). However, most platforms and supply chains continue to use it, so suppliers are often still required to produce BMEcat files.
Does a PIM system help with BMEcat?
Yes. A PIM system is the right place to maintain the product data that goes into a BMEcat export (descriptions, attributes, prices, and classifications). AtroPIM lets teams manage product data centrally and export it in BMEcat format, ready for direct import into buyer systems without additional preparation.
