X12-IMPLEMENTATION-CONV

X12 implementation conventions (IC) are contractual documents between two X12 partners restricting the X12 specification to adapt a message to industry or company-pair needs.

Definition

An X12 IC takes the form of a tabular PDF (similar to the EDIFACT MIG) which for each segment indicates: usage (M/R/O), occurrence min/max, allowed element values. The IC narrows the generic spec without contradicting the standard.

Origin

Practice formalised by ASC X12 since 1992. Industry ICs (HIPAA TR3, GS1 US Voluntary Industry Conventions) are emblematic examples.

Use

Walmart publishes an 850 v4010 IC mandating UPC in IT1 (instead of the free qualifier) and a PER segment for the purchasing contact. Walmart suppliers conform to this IC for mapping.

Related terms

• X12 — the parent standard.
• MIG — EDIFACT counterpart.
• TR3 — HIPAA counterpart.
• Conformance level — conformance level.