Version 3 of ISO/9735 has since its publication in 1992 experienced a steady increase in deployment globally and continues to expand today. Version 4 was published in 1998 with several new features. Of these, the only known implementations are for digital signatures, driven by legal requirements, and the use of non-latin character-sets. Since version 4 is not backwards compatible no widespread migration from version 3 has taken place or being planned. According to ISO policy (TMB Resolution 09/2012), different editions of the same standard cannot coexist which would mean that version 3 would no longer be available from ISO. Due to the large number of version 3 based users, and that this community is still growing, an exception was admitted for these two version to be available (TMB Resolution 8/2013). However, since the resolution was approved “on a temporary basis” a permanent solution is needed, which is what this proposal aims at.

Profile of version 4 of ISO 9735 restricting the functionality to be compatible with version 3.

Communities with wide EDIFACT adoption, e.g. retail, maritime, customs will ensure support of existing EDI solutions and enabling new implementations.

Anders Grangard (UNECE, Liaison)