C.3 UNECE syntax reference

Type Dictionary
Coverage A single list of code elements for units of measure for use worldwide in administration, commerce, transport, science and technology.
Hosted by The United Nations, through its Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT).
Homepage https://www.unece.org/cefact/

The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe through its UN Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (https://www.unece.org/cefact/), develops, maintains and publishes for free of charge a number of code lists.

Recommendation 20 provides three character alphabetic and alphanumeric codes for representing units of measurement for length, area, volume/capacity, mass (weight), time, and other quantities used in international trade. The codes are intended for use in manual and/or automated systems for the exchange of information in administration, commerce, transport, science and technology.

The code list (see https://unece.org/trade/cefact/UNLOCODE-Download) is presented in three separate annexes:

Annex I – Code elements listed by quantity category;

Annex II – Code elements listed by unit of measure name; and

Annex III – Code elements listed by common code.

See 5.6.4.4 how this information is mapped to Properties of DataType EUInformation.

Unit examples:

UNECE codeSymbolName
MTRmmetre
CMTcmcentimetre
NMIn milenautical mile
A11Åangstrom
F50µm/Kmicrometre per kelvin
AKfthfathom
INHininch
L98yd/°Fyard per degree Fahrenheit
MTKM2square metre
ACRacreacre
MTQM3cubic metre
LTRllitre