ETIM and ECLASS are classification standards that define product classes and the technical features or properties that describe them. BMEcat and ETIM xChange are exchange formats that carry catalogue data, including those classifications, between manufacturers, wholesalers and buyers. Most technical B2B suppliers combine one classification with one exchange format.
ETIM, ECLASS and BMEcat solve two different problems in B2B product data. ETIM and ECLASS are classification standards: they define product classes and the features or properties that describe each class. BMEcat, and the newer ETIM xChange, are exchange formats: they package catalogue data, including those classifications, for transfer between manufacturers, wholesalers and procurement systems. A supplier of technical products usually needs one classification and one exchange format per customer group.
What is the difference between ETIM, ECLASS and BMEcat?
| Standard | Type | Maintained by | Current version (October 2026) | Typical sectors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ETIM | Classification model | ETIM International and national ETIM organisations | ETIM 10.0 (released December 2024); ETIM 11.0 planned for 1 December 2026 | Electrical, installation, HVAC, plumbing, building technology |
| ECLASS | Classification and property dictionary | ECLASS e.V. | ECLASS 16.0 (released 28 November 2025); annual release cycle | Industrial procurement, automation, engineering, MRO |
| BMEcat | XML catalogue exchange format | Originated with BME, Fraunhofer IAO and university partners | BMEcat 2005 family, with ETIM's BMEcat 2005 guideline version 5.0 | Wholesale, e-procurement, distributor catalogues |
| ETIM xChange | JSON exchange format | ETIM International | Version 2.0 (released 27 November 2025) | ETIM-based sectors moving from file formats to JSON |
How does ETIM classify products?
ETIM describes itself as the international classification standard for technical products. Each ETIM class, such as a circuit breaker or a pipe fitting, carries a defined list of features with fixed units and value lists. A supplier classifies each product into one class and fills in the features, which lets a wholesaler compare products from different manufacturers on the same technical basis.
ETIM moved to a release cycle of roughly two years. ETIM International's release planning for ETIM 11.0 set a change request deadline of 30 June 2026, processing of open requests before 15 October 2026, a beta of about one month, and a planned final release on 1 December 2026. Suppliers should plan a mapping update after each release, since classes and features can be added, split or deprecated. ETIM also offers ETIM MC (Modelling Classes) for configurable products.
What does ECLASS add?
ECLASS is a hierarchical classification combined with a property dictionary, built with unique identifiers for classes, properties and values. ECLASS e.V. publishes a release every year. Release 16.0, published on 28 November 2025, added 995 classes, 1,253 properties, 985 values and 126 value lists compared with Release 15.0, and is fully translated into 29 languages. It is distributed in two representations: BASIC (CSV or XML, with a reduced property set) and ADVANCED (XML only, with property blocks, polymorphism and cardinality). Release 16.0 also introduced a first draft of recycling information, which ECLASS states will be developed further in Release 17, a sign of the standard's growing role in the Digital Product Passport.
Where do BMEcat and ETIM xChange fit?
BMEcat is an XML format for electronic catalogues. Version 1.0 was approved in November 1999, and the BMEcat 2005 family remains in wide use. BMEcat can carry ETIM or ECLASS classifications, prices, media references and product relationships. ETIM International publishes a guideline that defines how ETIM data is expressed in BMEcat 2005; version 5.0 was published on 30 June 2021.
ETIM xChange is ETIM International's JSON-based format, designed for API-style exchange and validation. Version 2.0 was officially released on 27 November 2025. In practice, wholesalers in some countries accept both, so suppliers export each format from the same PIM data, as part of their wider product data syndication.
What should a PIM support?
When evaluating PIM systems for technical B2B products, the following capabilities separate strong fits:
- Import of ETIM and ECLASS releases, with change reports between versions.
- Mapping from an internal attribute model to several classifications without duplicate data entry.
- Unit and value list handling that matches ETIM and ECLASS codes.
- Validated export to BMEcat 2005 under the ETIM guideline and to ETIM xChange.
- Support for multiple classification versions in parallel while customers migrate.
These requirements belong in the taxonomy design and in RFPs for wholesale and distribution projects.
Key takeaways
- ETIM and ECLASS classify products and define features; BMEcat and ETIM xChange carry the data.
- ETIM 10.0 is current; ETIM 11.0 is planned for 1 December 2026.
- ECLASS 16.0 was released on 28 November 2025, and ECLASS publishes annually.
- ETIM xChange 2.0 was released on 27 November 2025; BMEcat 2005 remains widely used.
- A PIM should map one internal model to several classifications and export each format.
Frequently asked questions
Should a manufacturer choose ETIM or ECLASS?
The choice usually follows the customers. Electrical, installation, HVAC and plumbing wholesalers in Europe widely request ETIM data, while ECLASS is common in industrial procurement, automation and engineering contexts. Many manufacturers maintain both, holding one internal attribute model in the PIM and mapping it to each classification so features are entered once.
What is the current ETIM version?
ETIM 10.0 was released in December 2024 and is the current version as of October 2026. ETIM International has planned the final release of ETIM 11.0 for 1 December 2026, preceded by a beta period of about one month. Suppliers should confirm with their local ETIM organisation which versions their customers accept.
Is BMEcat being replaced by ETIM xChange?
ETIM xChange is a newer JSON-based exchange format from ETIM International, with version 2.0 released on 27 November 2025. BMEcat remains widely used, including through ETIM's BMEcat 2005 guideline. Adoption of xChange varies by country and sector, so suppliers typically support both formats while their trading partners migrate.
For coverage of PXM, PLM and product compliance, including PPWR and DPP, see the independent resource PXM Atlas.