At the moment different data exchange formats like EDI, XML, Datanorm, BMEcat, Eldanorm, Metel are in use in the different European countries.

Since most manufacturers and wholesalers have still organised their operations according to local, national (market) structures there is not yet a principal need to apply the same exchange format everywhere in Europe. Participants in the supply chain can still select the exchange format they prefer in their country.

However, for international exchange of productdata, the BMEcat format at the time seems to be the most favorable interface.