The D&B D-U-N-S Number is at the core of global marketing, credit and purchasing transactions in companies across the globe. It can help keep you connected with the far-reaching arms of a multinational company, or simply help you organize your files on businesses in your local trading area.

Since it was introduced in 1962, it has dramatically grown in use and is recognized as a global business identification standard for:

• American National Standards Institute ANSI ASC X12 -- since 1989
• United Nations/Electronic Data Interchange for Administration, Commerce and Transport/UN EDIFACT Council -- since 1991
• European Commission (EDIRA)
• International Standards Organization (ISO) -- since 1993
• United States Federal Government
  • Electronic Commerce Acquisition Team (ECAT) -- since 1994
  • Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
  • United States Postal Service (USPS)
  • North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)

  As part of the president's mandate to streamline the procurement process through the use of electronic commerce, the federal government has adopted the D&B D-U-N-S Number as a principal contractor identification code.

  This means that suppliers doing business with government agencies via Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) will be required to submit their D&B D-U-N-S Number as part of the registration and transaction processes. The D&B D-U-N-S Number is a unique identifier assigned and maintained by Dun & Bradstreet on more than 50 million companies worldwide. It will be used to meet government objectives for electronic commerce - including providing a single face to industry, reducing duplication of effort, increasing speed of service and offering more opportunities to small businesses.

  There is no cost to government agencies or their suppliers for obtaining their own D&B D-U-N-S Numbers.

  And, since the first step in every electronic data interchange (EDI) transaction is proper identification of trading partners, the D-U-N-S Number is an ideal tool. With its distinctive ability to identify and link businesses, the D&B DUNS Number helps eliminate errors in electronic transactions and serves as a consistent trading partner identifier across all internal business applications. Using the D&B DUNS Number, you can communicate electronically through almost any established Value-Added Network (VAN) in any X12 or UN/EDIFACT syntax.

  The following industry associations recommend the D&B DUNS Number for business identification for Electronic Commerce, including EDI.

  Aerospace (AIA) Aerospace Industries Association	Air Transport (ATA - AVNET) Air Transport Association of America
  Alcoholic Beverages (NABCA) Nat'l Alcoholic Beverages Associations	Aluminum (AA) Aluminum Association
  Automotive (AIAG) Automotive Industry Action Group	Chemical (CIDX) Chemical Industry Data Exchange
  Electrical (EDX) Electrical Industry Data Exchange	Electronics (EIDX) Electronics Industry Data Exchange
  Ex-Im Bank Export-Import Bank of the United States	Fabric (FASLINC) Fabric And Suppliers Linkage Council
  Grocery (UCS) Uniform Communications Standard	Industry Coalition (EDICA) EDI Coalition of Industries
  Insurance (Acord) Agency-Company Organization for Research & Development	Insurance / Reinsurance (BRMA) Brokers & Reinsurers Markets Association
  Iron & Steel (AISI) American Iron & Steel Institute	Natural Gas (COPAS, AGA) Council of Petroleum Accountants Societies American Gas Association
  Paper (API) American Paper Institute	Petroleum (PIDX) Petroleum Industry Data Exchange
  Pharmaceutical (NWDA) National Wholesale Druggists' Association	Rail (AAR) American Association of Railroads
  Retail (VICS) Voluntary Industry Commerce Standard	Telecommunications (TCIF) Telecommunications Industry Forum
  Textiles (TALC) Textile-Apparel Linkage Council	Trucking (ATA) American Trucking Association
  Warehousing (WINS) Warehouse Information Networking Solution	Utilities (UIG) Utility Industry Group