EDATA gains live ETIM International link to support manufacturers with product classification
Posted by: electime 12th January 2026
The UK’s EDATA data pool has become one of only five European data pools with a live external link from within the heart of ETIM International’s online Classification Management Tool (CMT) – a link which is designed to help manufacturers adopt the ETIM standard for their products. Whilst EDATA is the “new kid on the block” in terms of data pools, it now takes its place alongside the pre-eminent established pools that also have a live ETIM link, including 2ba in the Netherlands, Installdata in Belgium, and the Swedish and Finnish data pools RSK and Sahkonumerot.
The live link between the ETIM system and EDATA offers UK manufacturers practical and invaluable help and support with the ETIM classification. From the ETIM International site, the live EDATA link connects directly into EDATA where visitors can see every product listed in that class.
EDATA lead, Richard Appleton, Head of Digitalisation at the Electrical Distributors’ Association (EDA), explains more,
“Logical and consistent information about a product’s performance and technical spec is key to driving sales – wholesalers and contractors need that information. This is why it is important for all manufacturers in our sector to adopt ETIM – there is real strength in consistency.
“This direct ETIM-EDATA link is yet another way we are helping UK manufacturers apply the ETIM standard to their products – it’s all about transparency, sharing best practice, and encouraging consistency. From the ETIM site the link takes visitors straight to the same class of products in the EDATA data pool, allowing manufacturers to drill down and see how others have interpreted ETIM standard for their products, and adopt a consistent approach.
“This link is another part of the toolkit of help and support we’ve developed. Manufacturers can download a free white paper “Starting your ETIM Journey: A Guide for Manufacturers”, and a set of 10 product-themed ETIM Guidance Notes – all of which are available at www.etim-uk-and-ie.org Most importantly, we have recruited a new data expert to work with manufacturers on ETIM – Phil Thompson.”
The EDATA data pool, which is managed by the Electrical Distributors’ Association (EDA) has the ETIM data standard at its heart: the technical specification and performance information for the ever-growing volume of 317,000+ products inside EDATA are organised according to ETIM’s logical and uniform structure.
