eCl@ss Definition
eCl@ss is an international classification and description standard for products and services. It gives every product type a defined set of attributes and a unique identifier, so product data can be structured and exchanged consistently across companies and systems.
What is it used for?
eCl@ss is used to classify products in a way that buyers, suppliers, and procurement systems all understand — without ambiguity or manual interpretation. It is particularly common in manufacturing, mechanical engineering, and chemical industries, and is widely used in e-procurement and B2B data exchange.
How does it relate to other standards?
eCl@ss covers a broader range of industries than ETIM, which focuses on electrotechnical and technical installation products. Both serve a similar purpose — structured product classification — but apply to different sectors. eCl@ss is also commonly used alongside BMEcat as the classification layer inside a catalog exchange file.
Does a PIM system help with eCl@ss?
Yes. A PIM system is the natural place to manage eCl@ss-classified product data — mapping attributes to the correct classes and maintaining consistent values across the catalog. AtroPIM allows teams to structure product data according to eCl@ss and export it in formats ready for procurement platforms and B2B partners.
