UNSPSC
| Company type | Classification system |
|---|---|
| Industry | eCommerce, Procurement |
| Founded | 1998 |
| Founder | John S. Svendsen, Lawrence M. Barth, Peter R. Benson |
| Parent | United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) |
| Website | https://www.unspsc.org/ |
The United Nations Standard Products and Services Code (UNSPSC) serves as a classification system for products and services used in eCommerce, organized into a hierarchical structure consisting of four tiers represented by an eight-digit code, with an optional two-digit fifth tier available.
The most recent update, released on August 14, 2023, is version 26.0801.
The update labeled UNv24.0301 brought about 740 modifications compared to the previous UNv23.0701 release. These changes encompass 721 newly added entries, 12 revisions, 6 relocations, and a single removal, resulting in a total of 157,116 cataloged items. Among the significant enhancements are the introduction of Segment 57000000 – Humanitarian Relief Items, Kits, or Accessories, which was requested by the United Nations Global Marketplace (UNGM), along with new codes designed to support the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Specialty Crops Inspection.
UNSPSC operates alongside other classification frameworks such as the European Union’s Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV), ECLASS, and GS1’s Global Product Classification (GPC).
History
The UNSPSC was created subsequent to a Memorandum of Understanding signed in late 1998 between John S. Svendsen from the UNDP’s Inter-agency Procurement Services Office and Lawrence M. Barth representing Dun & Bradstreet. The initial development phase was directed by Peter R. Benson, who employed a modified Delphi technique to foster consensus-based progression.
Management of UNSPSC from 1999 until March 2003 was handled by the non-profit organization ECCMA, overseeing up to version 6.0315. In May 2003, GS1 US was appointed by UNDP to act as the code custodian. Following this transition, ECCMA focused on developing the Open Technical Dictionary (eOTD) and contributed to international standards ISO 22745 and ISO 8000.
| Version | Total Items |
|---|---|
| UNv26.0801 | 158,448 |
| UNv25.0901 | |
| UNv24.0301 | 157,116 |
| UNv23.0701 | 156,936 |
| UNv22.0601 | 156,478 |
| UNv21.0901 | |
| UNv20.0601 | 87,477 |
| UNv19.0501 | 83,196 |
| UNv18.0801 | |
| UNv17.1001 | 77,350 |
| UNv14.0801 | 49,069 |
| UNv09.0501 | 21,718 |
| UNv08.1201 | 19,038 |
Description
The UNSPSC classification is structured into four key levels: Segment, Family, Class, and Commodity.
Each level is denoted by a pair of digits; ‘00’ is used within segments, families, and classes to assign unique eight-digit codes.
| Level | Code | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Segment | 10000000 | Live Plant and Animal Material and Accessories and Supplies |
| Family | 10100000 | Live animals |
| Class | 10101500 | Livestock |
| Commodity | 10101501 | Cats |
For instance, the code for ‘Cats’ is 10101501; ‘Dogs’ are coded as 10101502; and ‘Cattle’ carry the code 10101516. The class labeled ‘Livestock’ corresponds to 10101500; its family ‘Live animals’ is identified by 10100000; all of which fall under segment 10000000 that covers Live Plant and Animal Material along with related Accessories and Supplies.
| Level | Code | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Segment | 44000000 | Office Equipment, Accessories and Supplies |
| Family | 44120000 | Office supplies |
| Class | 44121900 | Ink and lead refills |
| Commodity | 44121902 | Lead refills |
An optional two-digit suffix can be appended to indicate specific business functions such as retail or wholesale operations.
Top levels
The initial two tiers of UNSPSC encompass:
- Raw Materials, Chemicals, Paper, Fuel
- Live Plant and Animal Material including Accessories and Supplies
- Mineral and Textile Materials along with Inedible Plant and Animal Products
- Chemicals comprising Biochemicals and Gas Materials
- Resin, Rosin, Rubber, Foam, Film, Elastomeric Substances
- Paper Materials together with Related Products
- Fuels including Additives, Lubricants, Anti-corrosive Agents
- Industrial Equipment & Tools
- Machinery and Accessories for Mining and Well Drilling
- Equipment for Farming, Fishing, Forestry & Wildlife
- Industrial Manufacturing and Processing Machinery plus Accessories
- Machinery for Material Handling, Conditioning & Storage including Accessories
- Power Generation and Distribution Equipment with Accessories
- General Tools
- Components & Supplies
- Structures plus Building and Construction Components & Supplies
- Components & Supplies for Manufacturing
- Electronic Components along with Supplies
- Electrical Systems including Lighting Components & Accessories
- Construction, Transportation & Facility Equipment & Supplies
- Building and Construction Machinery plus Accessories
- Commercial Vehicles including Military and Private Vehicles with Accessories
- Distribution Systems including Conditioning Equipment & Components
- Land Properties including Buildings, Structures and Thoroughfares
- Medical, Laboratory & Test Equipment & Supplies & Pharmaceuticals
- Laboratory Instruments for Measuring, Observing & Testing
- Medical Devices with Associated Accessories & Supplies
- Pharmaceutical Products
- Food, Cleaning & Service Industry Equipment & Supplies
- Cleaning Tools and Consumables
- Machinery for Service Industries with Related Equipment & Supplies
- Products related to Food, Beverage and Tobacco
- Business, Communication & Technology Equipment & Supplies
- Information Technology along with Broadcasting and Telecommunications Equipment
- Office Devices plus Accessories & Supplies
- Printing Equipment together with Photographic and Audio-Visual Products & Supplies
- Published Materials
- Defense, Security & Safety Equipment & Supplies
- Equipment for Defense, Law Enforcement Security & Safety along with Supplies
- Humanitarian Relief Items
- Personal, Domestic & Consumer Equipment & Supplies
- Sports/Recreational Gear including Accessories/Supplies
- Domestic Appliances along with Consumer Electronics/Supplies
- Apparel together with Luggage and Personal Care Items
- Timepieces alongside Jewelry/Gemstone Products
- Furniture plus Furnishings
- Musical Instruments as well as Games/Toys/Arts/Crafts/Educational Materials
- Services
- Financial Instruments including Products/Contracts/Agreements
- Banking Products such as Securities/Insurance Contracts/Governmental Property Rights
- Contracting Services for Farming/Fishing/Forestry/Wildlife Activities
- Services related to Mining/Oil/Gas Industries
- Building or Facility Construction together with Maintenance Services
- Industrial Production/Manufacturing Services including Cleaning/Environmental Services
- Transportation Services including Storage/Mail Handling
- Management Consulting/Business Professionals/Administrative Support Services
- Engineering Research alongside Technology-Based Services
- Editorial Design/Graphic/Fine Art Services
- Public Utilities or Public Sector-Related Services
- Financial or Insurance Services including Healthcare/Education/Training Offerings
- Travel/Food/Lodging/Entertainment Services plus Personal/Domestic Assistance
- National Defense/Public Order/Security/Safety Services including Political/Civic Affairs Organizations/Clubs
Governance
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Dun & Bradstreet collaborated to create the UNSPSC in 1998. Presently, GS1 US is responsible for its administration, including handling requests for code modifications, performing regular updates, and overseeing various special projects and initiatives.
Availability and languages
This classification system is accessible in a variety of languages such as English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Dutch, Mandarin Chinese, Portuguese, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, and Hungarian. The most recent PDF edition can be downloaded at no cost after creating a user account. Additionally, members gain access to an Excel format of the codes and have the ability to submit requests for code revisions or additions.