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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.

If you wish to access X12 EDI Standards beyond what was defined by the Canadian Industry, please contact X12 Standards.

8010 Canadian VICS EDI Implementation Guidelines Food and Drug Retail and Foodservice

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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

7060 Canadian VICS EDI Implementation Guidelines Food & Drug Retail and Foodservice

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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

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5010-2022 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

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4010-2022 Canadian VICS EDI Implementation Guidelines Food & Drug Retail and Foodservice

4010-2012 Canadian Foodservice EDI Implementation Guidelines

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

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EDI Implementation Reference Documents

EDI Implementation Reference Documents are not version specific and are additional supporting publications with the Canadian EDI Implementation Guidelines.

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.

EDI Reference Documents

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) Standards Overview

Outlines how EDI is a vital link used to share information within the supply chain. EDI uses standardized messages to ensure participants are using a common language. Essentially EDI is an electronic alternative to paper-based transactions such as orders and invoices. Learn more.

EDI in Retail (Video)

Provides a specific Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) business case from the Swiss Retailer. It provides a conceptual understanding of the benefits of EDI. (9 mins) Note: In Canada and US, the X12 EDI Standard is recommended. Watch now.

EDI New User Guidance

This guideline is for those in business who need to understand what EDI is and its benefits. It is not a technical document but has relevance to technical people. Learn more.

EDI Standards Organizations

X12 Inc.

The X12 EDI Standards uses Interactive Exchange Protocol, which allows companies to exchange business-related messages and documents via computer-to-computer exchange of business data in a standard format. The X12 standards is widely used in both Canada and the United States. Learn more.

GS1 EDI EANCOM

The GS1 EANCOM® is a GS1 subset of the UN/EDIFACT standard (United Nations Electronic Data Interchange for Administration, Commerce and Transport). It contains only the message elements required by business applications and mandated by the syntax. Omitted are optional elements not relevant for GS1 users. Learn more.

GS1 UN/CEFACT XML

These GS1 UN/CEFACT XML Profiles include a select set of messages covering Cross Industry for: Despatch Advice, Invoice, Order, Order Response and Data Types. This standard contains the components that are determined to be foundational to the UN/CEFACT Cross Industry messages and helps to enforce consistency across messages. Learn more.

GS1 XML

GS1 uses XML to create a set of standard messages for the GS1 EDI (Electronic Data Interchange). GS1 XML messages can be exchanged using any technical solution or internet transport protocol and currently supporting processes such as Order to Cash (Order, Deliver and Payment), Transport & Logistics and Upstream. Learn more.