Data Universal Numbering System
| Company type | Proprietary identification system |
|---|---|
| Industry | Business information services |
| Founded | 1963 |
| Founder | Dun & Bradstreet |
| Products | DUNS number |
| Owner | Dun & Bradstreet |
The Data Universal Numbering System (commonly abbreviated as DUNS or D-U-N-S) is a proprietary identification framework created by Dun & Bradstreet (D&B). It assigns a distinctive nine-digit number, called a "DUNS number," to individual business entities worldwide. Launched in 1963 to enhance D&B's credit reporting capabilities, this system has become an international standard adopted by organizations including the European Commission, the United Nations, Google, and Apple. More than 50 trade and industry groups either recognize or mandate the use of DUNS numbers. The comprehensive DUNS registry contains over 300 million business profiles globally.
Details
Each DUNS identifier corresponds uniquely to a specific business location with separate operational activities. The digits are allocated randomly and do not encode any particular information. Prior to late 2006, the identifier incorporated a mod-10 check digit for validation purposes; this feature was removed to increase the numbering capacity by approximately 800 million. Since February 2017, acquiring a DUNS number is complimentary and generally completed within 24 to 48 hours, with UK companies providing their registration numbers often receiving immediate assignment. Opting for Dun & Bradstreet Credibility Corp’s "Small Business Starter" service can reduce processing times to five business days or less.
Unlike national employer identification schemes, DUNS numbers are issued on a global scale. Before 2022, some U.S. federal agencies required contractors to possess both a DUNS number and an Employer Identification Number (EIN). Likewise, certain agencies within the United Nations and Australian governments require businesses to have DUNS identifiers.
For ease of reading, DUNS numbers may be displayed with hyphens (for example, "15-048-3782"), although contemporary usage often omits these separators ("150483782"). Companies have the option to add four alphanumeric characters to form a DUNS+4 number for internal differentiation purposes such as identifying electronic funds transfer accounts; however, this suffix is not maintained by D&B.
From October 2003 through April 2022, possession of a DUNS number was mandatory for all entities engaging in business with the U.S. federal government. After April 4, 2022, the government shifted to using the Unique Entity ID provided by SAM.gov. Prior to adopting the DUNS system, the government utilized the ACASS system, which was phased out in October 2005.
See also
- Australian Business Number
- Authoritative Legal Entity Identifier (ALEI)
- CNPJ Brazilian National Registry of Legal Entities
- Commercial and Government Entity code (CAGE Code), identifying suppliers to the United States Department of Defense
- International Business Registration Number (IBRN)
- Legal Entity Identifier, identifying legal entities in financial transactions
- Paydex score, assessing corporate creditworthiness, similar to the FICO score for individuals
- System for Award Management
- Trading Partner Identification Number (TPIN), issued by the U.S. Government's Central Contractor Registration
- Unique Entity Identifier