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ETIM (Electro-Technical Information Model)

Data management and qualityIntermediate Level

ETIM is an open classification standard for technical products that assigns each product a class with fixed features, values and units, so suppliers and wholesalers describe products the same way.

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What is ETIM (Electro-Technical Information Model)?

ETIM (Electro-Technical Information Model) is an open classification system for technical products that gives every product a class, such as "circuit breaker", and a fixed set of features with defined values and units. ETIM product data describes the same product the same way for every manufacturer, wholesaler and installer. ETIM started in the electrical sector and now also covers HVAC, plumbing, building and shipbuilding products. A class lists which features matter, for example rated current in amperes or number of poles, and each feature is either numeric, a yes or no value, or a choice from a value list. That makes ETIM more detailed than a pure category system such as UNSPSC or GS1 GPC, which mainly say what kind of product something is. Suppliers usually deliver ETIM data in BMEcat or ETIM xChange files, and in the Netherlands many share it through the 2BA data pool. Read our ETIM guide for how to map existing product data into the ETIM standard.

Why ETIM (Electro-Technical Information Model) matters for e-commerce

In technical B2B trade, buyers search by specs, not by brand or marketing name. Wholesalers build their filters and comparisons on ETIM features, so a product without correct ETIM data drops out of those filters or gets rejected from the wholesaler's catalog. ETIM also saves work on both sides of the supply chain. A manufacturer maps its data once to ETIM and can send it to every wholesaler that uses the standard, instead of filling a different template for each one. A PIM system with structured attributes and fixed value lists makes that mapping easier to maintain when products or ETIM releases change.

Examples of ETIM (Electro-Technical Information Model)

  • 1ETIM class: Circuit breaker, Feature: Rated current, Value: 16, Unit: A
  • 2ETIM class: Circuit breaker, Feature: Number of poles, Value: 1
  • 3ETIM class: LED lamp, Feature: Lamp base, Value: E27 (from the ETIM value list)
  • 4ETIM class: Cable, Feature: Halogen-free, Value: Yes
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How WISEPIM Helps

  • Attribute management in WISEPIM lets you store typed attributes with units and fixed value lists, the same shape as ETIM features.
  • Quality Guard rules flag products where required technical attributes are empty.
  • Bulk editing fills or corrects a feature value across a whole product group at once.
  • AI enrichment can extract technical specs from supplier descriptions and datasheets into attributes for review.
  • Export lets you send the structured data to wholesalers in the file layout they ask for.

Common mistakes with ETIM (Electro-Technical Information Model)

  • Using free-text fields for technical details instead of linking them to standard ETIM features and values.
  • Failing to update to the latest ETIM release. This leads to outdated product categories or missing information.
  • Ignoring mandatory features in the ETIM model. Distributors will often reject your data if these required fields are empty.
  • Mapping the same product detail to different ETIM features across your product lines. This creates inconsistent data that is hard to manage.

Tips for ETIM (Electro-Technical Information Model)

  • Connect your PIM system to ETIM dynamic releases. This automatically updates product features when the standard changes.
  • Fill in all required product details first. This helps your items appear in search filters on distributor websites.
  • Use the BMEcat format to share your data. This file type keeps the ETIM structure accurate during the transfer.

Trends around ETIM (Electro-Technical Information Model)

  • ETIM MC (Modelling Classes): The expansion of ETIM to include 3D and geometric data for use in BIM software.
  • AI-assisted mapping: Using machine learning to automatically suggest ETIM classes based on product descriptions.
  • Sustainability data: Integration of environmental product declarations (EPD) and circularity features within the ETIM structure.

Tools for ETIM (Electro-Technical Information Model)

Related Terms

Access Control (PIM)Attribute Dependency ManagementAttribute InheritanceAttribute ManagementAttribute mappingAttribute Scoping

Also Known As

ETIM classificationETIM standardElectro-Technical Information Modeltechnical product classification

Frequently Asked Questions

ETIM classification assigns each technical product to one ETIM class and fills that class's features with standardized values and units. Because every supplier uses the same classes and features, wholesalers can compare and filter products from different brands. ETIM is maintained by ETIM International and national ETIM organizations.

Start with the product groups your customers and wholesalers ask for, assign each product to an ETIM class, and map your existing attributes to the class features, converting units where needed. Fill the required features first, then export in the format your trading partners accept, usually BMEcat or ETIM xChange. Plan for new ETIM releases, because classes and features change over time.

ETIM data management is keeping ETIM classes and feature values up to date for your whole range: assigning classes to new products, filling features, checking units and value codes, and updating data when a new ETIM release changes a class. Most companies do this in a PIM system with ETIM support or with a specialized mapping service.

GS1 issues identifiers such as the GTIN barcode number and runs the GPC brick classification, which says what kind of product something is. ETIM goes deeper for technical products, with detailed features such as voltage, IP rating and dimensions per class. Many technical products carry both a GTIN and ETIM data.

BMEcat is an XML format for exchanging electronic product catalogs. It can carry ETIM classes and feature values alongside prices, images and documents, which is why it is a common way for manufacturers to send ETIM data to wholesalers. ETIM xChange is a newer, JSON-based alternative.

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