Learn the complete code structure, hierarchy rules, and attribute requirements of the ETIM taxonomy standard.
ETIM (European Technical Information Model) is an international classification standard specifically designed for technical products in the electrical, HVAC, plumbing, and building materials industries. Originally developed in the Netherlands in 1999 by the Dutch electrical wholesale association, ETIM has grown into a globally adopted model maintained by ETIM International, with national organizations in over 20 countries driving adoption among manufacturers, wholesalers, and installers.
The strength of ETIM lies in its focus on technical product features rather than just hierarchical classification. Each ETIM class is linked to a carefully curated set of features (attributes), values, and units that describe the technical characteristics buyers need to compare and select products. This feature-driven approach makes ETIM particularly effective for B2B product data exchange in the electrical and technical wholesale industry, where accurate technical specifications directly impact purchasing decisions, project planning, and installation work.
ETIM uses a three-level structure: Product Groups at the top level provide broad categorization, Product Classes represent specific product types, and Features define the technical attributes for each class. With over 5,500 classes covering electrical installation, lighting, HVAC, sanitary, and building automation products, ETIM has become the de facto standard for technical product data exchange in European wholesale distribution and is rapidly expanding into North America, Asia, and the Middle East.
Example hierarchy showing how products are organized within this standard
Key rules and principles that define how this taxonomy organizes products
ETIM organizes products into three levels: Product Groups (broad categories identified by two-letter codes like EC, EL, EV), Product Classes (specific product types with codes like EC000001), and Features (technical attributes attached to each class). Products are classified at the Class level, which is where features and their allowed values are defined.
Each ETIM Product Class has a defined set of features (attributes) that describe its technical characteristics. Features are standardized with specific data types: alphanumeric (A), logical (L), numeric (N), and range (R). Numeric features include standardized units of measurement. This feature model ensures that all manufacturers describe the same product type using the same technical parameters.
ETIM defines controlled value lists for alphanumeric features, ensuring consistency across manufacturers and markets. For example, the feature IP rating always uses the same value list (IP20, IP44, IP65, etc.) regardless of the product class. This standardization eliminates ambiguity and enables automated product comparison in webshops and procurement systems.
All ETIM classes, features, and values are translated into 20+ languages by national ETIM organizations. This enables manufacturers to create a single ETIM-classified product dataset that can be automatically distributed to wholesalers and webshops across different countries without manual translation of technical specifications.
Mandatory and recommended attributes for key categories in this standard
Industries and scenarios where this taxonomy standard is most commonly applied
Electrical wholesalers use ETIM as the common language for product data exchange with manufacturers. When a manufacturer provides ETIM-classified product data, wholesalers can automatically import it into their webshops and ERP systems, complete with standardized technical features that enable filter-based product search and side-by-side comparison for electricians and contractors.
HVAC contractors and building engineers rely on ETIM to compare heating, ventilation, and air conditioning products from different manufacturers using standardized performance metrics. ETIM classification enables specification-based product selection in BIM workflows, ensuring that the right equipment is selected based on technical requirements rather than brand familiarity alone.
Lighting designers and facility managers use ETIM-classified luminaire data to compare products based on standardized photometric features such as luminous flux, color temperature, CRI, and energy efficiency. This enables automated lighting calculations, compliance checking against building codes, and efficient product substitution when specified products are unavailable.
Building material suppliers and construction companies use ETIM to standardize product data for plumbing, sanitary, and building automation products. As BIM (Building Information Modeling) adoption grows, ETIM provides the standardized feature data needed to create rich product objects in BIM libraries, streamlining the entire specify-procure-install workflow.
Step-by-step guide to implementing this taxonomy standard in your product catalog
Review your product portfolio and identify which items fall within ETIM coverage areas (electrical installation, lighting, HVAC, plumbing, building automation). Check the current ETIM release to verify that Product Classes exist for your key product lines. For products without a matching class, submit a change request to your national ETIM organization for inclusion in the next release.
Access the latest ETIM classification model through ETIM International or your national ETIM organization (e.g., ETIM Nederland, ETIM Deutschland, ETIM North America). The model is available in XML and BMEcat formats. Import it into your PIM, ERP, or product data management system. Tools like WISEPIM, inRiver, Akeneo, and Perfion have built-in ETIM support.
Map each product to the most appropriate ETIM Product Class. Use the ETIM class code (e.g., EC000001 for Miniature Circuit Breaker) and verify the match by reviewing the class description and feature list. For product families with many variants, classify at the base product level and inherit the class assignment to all variants.
Everything you need to start classifying your electrical, HVAC, or lighting products with ETIM, including mapping templates, feature checklists, and distribution guides for major data pools.
Common questions about ETIM
WisePIM supports all major taxonomy standards and uses AI to automatically map your products — no manual classification required.