UCCNet used to use UDEX codes for product categorization in their product messages. After getting merged with Transora and formed 1Sync, UDEX is being slowly phased out to use GPC (Global Product Classification). Looking at GPC, it’s coding seems to be similar to UNSPSC as they also have segments, families and classes. However, GPC’s 4th level is called Bricks (and Brick codes) while for UNSPSC it’s Commodity.
However, one main different with GPC is that the brick codes are also supposed to define characteristics of the products belonging to those brick codes. GPC includes this standard for the product characteristics and that’s good to be part of the product exchange message. Ofcourse, writing software to get this right on both the seller and buyer side is quite challenging.
