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Canadian EDI Guidelines


Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is one of the key enablers to allow the efficient communication of business transactions between trading partners, in an electronic format. To facilitate the implementation of this key enabler, the development of versioned implementation guides serves the needs of the Canadian grocery, foodservice, general merchandise, hardlines, retail pharmacy and healthcare industries.

These comprehensive guides have been prepared by Canadian Industry for Canadian Industry Users as a subset of the ANSI governed X12 Standards and GS1 US VICS XRG working groups. These subsets are versioned EDI Implementation Guidelines aligned to the publication cycle of X12 Standards Inc. commencing with version 004010.

The GS1 Canada EDI webpages host the various versions. Each subset provides a publication of the transaction sets as identified by the Canadian EDI industry users – data providers and data recipients.



4010-2002 Canadian VICS EDI Implementation Guidelines Food & Drug Retail and Foodservice


4010-2012 Canadian Foodservice EDI Implementation Guidelines


4020 Canadian VICS EDI Implementation Guidelines Food & Drug Retail and Foodservice


4030 Canadian VICS EDI Implementation Guidelines Food & Drug Retail and Foodservice


4040 Canadian VICS EDI Implementation Guidelines Food & Drug Retail and Foodservice


4050 Canadian VICS EDI Implementation Guidelines Food & Drug Retail and Foodservice


5010-2020 Canadian VICS EDI Implementation Guidelines Food & Drug Retail and Foodservice


5030-2005 Canadian VICS EDI Implementation Guidelines Food & Drug Retail and Foodservice


5040 Canadian VICS EDI Implementation Guidelines Food & Drug Retail and Foodservice


5050 Canadian VICS EDI Implementation Guidelines Food & Drug Retail and Foodservice


6010 Canadian VICS EDI Implementation Guidelines Food & Drug Retail and Foodservice


6020-2010 Canadian VICS EDI Implementation Guidelines Food & Drug Retail and Foodservice


6020-2012 Canadian Healthcare Supply Chain Guidelines


6020-2020 Canadian Healthcare Consignment Inventory EDI Implementation Guidelines


6030 Canadian VICS EDI Implementation Guidelines Food & Drug Retail and Foodservice


6040 Canadian VICS EDI Implementation Guidelines Food & Drug Retail and Foodservice


7010 Canadian VICS EDI Implementation Guidelines Food & Drug Retail and Foodservice


7020 Canadian VICS EDI Implementation Guidelines Food & Drug Retail and Foodservice


7030 Canadian VICS EDI Implementation Guidelines Food & Drug Retail and Foodservice


7040 Canadian VICS EDI Implementation Guidelines Food & Drug Retail and Foodservice


7050 Canadian VICS EDI Implementation Guidelines Food & Drug Retail and Foodservice


EDI Reference Documents

EDI Reference Documents are not version specific and are additional supporting publications for the Canadian EDI Implementation Guidelines.  Reference documents include:

  • VICS EDI Architecture Guide: Describes relationships between business functions in terms of specific EDI transactions; the structure and use of EDI transactions, and suggests steps which organizations can take to implement EDI as part of their daily operations and quick response initiatives.
  • Trade Item Identification and Communication Guidelines (TIIC): Helps with product information supporting item setup and maintenance using the GS1 Standards.
  • Financial Guidelines: A resource to facilitate businesses in a successful implementation of Financial EDI within their business process.
  • 856 Ship Notice – Manifest Guidelines: Provides order and shipment information in one electronic transaction sent from the supplier to the receiver. The key to the success of the Ship Notice/Manifest is the advanced receipt of the notice, and the accuracy of the information being sent.

In order to submit a work request or for an EDI Discussion (new information, errata or modifications to existing publication content) fill out this form.

If you have standards related questions contact us at 416-510-8039 or global.standards@gs1ca.org.