0. INTRODUCTION
1. SCOPE
   1. Functional definition
   2. Field of application
   3. Principles
2. REFERENCES
3. TERMS AND DEFINITIONS
4. MESSAGE DEFINITION
   1. Data segment clarification
      1. Header section
      2. Detail section
   2. Data segment index (alphabetical sequence)
   3. Message structure
      1. Segment table

This specification provides the definition of the Quality data message (QALITY) to be used in Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) between trading partners involved in administration, commerce and transport.

A message to enable the transmission of the results of tests performed to satisfy a specified product or process requirement. The content includes, but is not limited to, test data and measurements, statistical information, and the testing methods employed.

The UN Standard Quality Data Message may be applied for both national and international trade. It is based on universal commercial practice and is not dependent on the type of business or industry.

• A Quality Data Message detail line may refer to either goods items or services.
• The values within a Quality Data Message may refer to:

. a product/service, . a product via batch references, . process type information of a product.

• A Quality Data Message may contain discrete or statistical values as well as product specification values.

See UNTDID, Part 4, Chapter 2.6 UN/ECE UNSM - General Introduction, Section 1.

See UNTDID, Part 4, Chapter 2.6 UN/ECE UNSM - General Introduction, Section 2.

This section should be read in conjunction with the Branching Diagram and the Segment Table which indicate mandatory, conditional and repeating requirements.

The following guidelines and principles apply to the whole message and are intended to facilitate the understanding and implementation of the message:

All specified dates/times should be in the format 'yymmdd'/'hhmm' unless all parties involved in the transaction agree that there is a functional requirement for an alternative format. Periods should be specified as whole numbers representing the required period as indicated in the format qualifier (weeks, months, etc.)

Where a choice of code or text is given only the code element should be used wherever possible.

Conditional data that is not required in the message should not be included.

Care must be taken that the segment qualifier in dependent segments do not conflict with the segment qualifier of the trigger segment of a group.

Free text information within the message should be avoided as this inhibits automatic processing.

Information to be provided in the Header section:

0010 | UNH, Message header

A service segment starting and uniquely identifying a message. The message type code for the Quality data message is QALITY.

Note: Quality data messages conforming to this document must contain the following data in segment UNH, composite S009:

0020 BGM, Beginning of message

A segment by which the sender uniquely identifies the Quality Data Message by means of its type and number.

0030 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment specifying general dates and, when relevant, times related to the whole message. The segment must be specified at least once to identify the quality data message date.

Example of the use of this DTM-segment is : date/time frame of reported data that apply to the whole quality data message.

The Date/time/period segment within other segment groups should be used whenever the date/time/period requires to be logically related to another specified data item; e.g. date of measurement must be specified within the measurement segment group.

0040 IMD, Item description

A segment for describing the product involved.

0050 MEA, Measurements

A segment to allow physical measurements and dimensions to be stated, where this is required for identification of the product.

0060 FTX, Free text

A segment with free text information, in coded or clear form, to give further clarification, when required, to the whole message. In computer to computer exchanges such text will normally require the receiver to handle this segment manually.

0070 Segment Group 1: RFF-DTM

A segment group for referencing documents and where necessary, their dates, relating to the whole message, e.g. purchase order, shipment/consignment number.

0080 RFF, Reference

A segment identifying the referenced document by its number and where appropriate, a line number within that document.

0090 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment specifying the date/time of the referenced document. The specified date should be in 'yymmdd' format, unless all parties agree that there is a functional requirement for an alternative format.

0100 Segment Group 2: NAD-LOC-SG3-SG4

A group of segments identifying the parties relevant to the whole Quality Data Message, with associated information.

0110 NAD, Name and address

A segment identifying names and addresses of parties, in coded or clear form, and their function relevant for the whole Quality Data Message. Identification of the Sender and Receiver party is mandatory for the Quality Data Message. They are to be given in the NAD segment.

0120 LOC, Place/location identification

A segment indicating more details regarding specific locations related to the party specified in the NAD- segment, e.g. internal site/building number.

0130 Segment Group 3: RFF-DTM

A segment group giving references and where necessary, date information only relevant to the specified party.

0140 RFF, Reference

A segment identifying the reference by its number and where appropriate a line number within a document.

0150 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment specifying the date and/or time of the reference. The specified date should be in 'yymmdd' format unless all parties agree that there is a functional requirement for an alternative format.

0160 Segment Group 4: CTA-COM

A group of segments giving contact details of the specific person or department within the party identified in the NAD segment.

0170 CTA, Contact information

A segment to identify a person or department, and their function, to whom communications should be directed.

0180 COM, Communication contact

A segment to identify a communication type and number for the contact specified in the CTA segment.

Information to be provided in the Detail section:

0190 Segment group 5: LIN-PIA-IMD-MEA-PSD-SPS-DTM-QTY-FTX-SG6-SG7- SG10-SG12-SG20-SG30 A group of segments providing the relevant quality data for the specified product.

0200 LIN, Line item

A segment identifying the line item by its number and additionally, identifying the product involved by a product identification number. Other product identification numbers are specified in the following PIA segment, e.g. Customer part number, etc.

0210 PIA, Additional product id

A segment providing additional product identification to that specified in the LIN segment, e.g. Buyer part number.

0220 IMD, Item description

A segment for describing the product involved. This segment should be used for products that cannot be identified by a product code or article number.

0230 MEA, Measurements

A segment to allow physical measurements and dimensions to be stated, where this is required for identification of the product.

0240 PSD, Physical sample description

A segment to define the physical sample parameters, associated with a test, resulting in discrete measurements. If used in this position, the values apply to all following values of product properties.

0250 SPS, Sampling parameters for summary statistics

A segment to define the sampling parameters associated with summary statistics reported. If used in this position, the values apply to all following values of product properties.

0260 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment specifying date/time/period details to the line item only. Any specified date should be in 'yymmdd' format unless all parties agree that there is a functional requirement for an alternative format.

0270 QTY, Quantity

A segment to enable quantity information to be specified.

0280 FTX, Free text

A segment with free text in coded or clear form, to give further clarification, when required, for the line item. In computer to computer exchanges such text will normally require the receiver to handle this segment manually.

0290 Segment Group 6: RFF-DTM

A segment group for referencing documents relating to the line item and where necessary, their dates.

0300 RFF, Reference

A segment identifying the referenced document by its number and where appropriate, a line number within that document.

0310 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment specifying the date/time of the referenced document. The specified date should be in 'yymmdd' format, unless all parties agree that there is a functional requirement for an alternative format.

0320 Segment Group 7: NAD-LOC-SG8-SG9

A group of segments identifying the parties with associated information, relevant to the line item only.

0330 NAD, Name and address

A segment identifying names and addresses of parties, in coded or clear form, and their function relevant for the line item.

0340 LOC, Place/location identification

A segment indicating more details regarding specific locations related to the party specified in the NAD- segment, e.g. internal site/building number.

0350 Segment Group 8: RFF-DTM

A segment group giving references and where necessary, date information only relevant to the specified party.

0360 RFF, Reference

A segment identifying the reference by its number and where appropriate a line number within a document.

0370 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment specifying the date and/or time of the reference. The specified date should be in 'yymmdd' format unless all parties agree that there is a functional requirement for an alternative format.

0380 Segment Group 9: CTA-COM

A group of segments giving contact details of the specific person or department within the party identified in the NAD segment.

0390 CTA, Contact information

A segment to identify a person or department, and their function, to whom communications should be directed.

0400 COM, Communication contact

A segment to identify a communication type and number for the contact specified in the CTA segment.

0410 Segment Group 10: TEM-MEA-DTM-SG11

A group of segments to provide details of the test methods, employed including any circumstances, test devices, references and dates.

0420 TEM, Test method

A segment to describe the nature of the test performed.

0430 MEA, Measurements

A segment to provide the necessary values of the various circumstances related to the tests, e.g. temperature reading when test performed.

0440 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment specifying the date, and when relevant, the time of an activity identified by the date/time qualifier, e.g. test date/time.

0450 Segment Group 11: RFF-DTM

A segment group of referencing documents relating to the test method and where necessary, their dates, e.g. device number.

0460 RFF, Reference

A segment identifying the referenced document by its number and where appropriate, a line number within that document.

0470 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment specifying the date/time of the referenced document. The specified date should be in 'yymmdd' format, unless all parties agree that there is a functional requirement for an alternative format.

0480 Segment Group 12: CCI-PSD-SPS-DTM-FTX-SG13-SG14-SG16-SG18

A group of segments to be used to define a class of properties, the individual properties within that class and the related data (e.g. discrete values, statistical information, test methods). When this segment group is used, the data is directly related to the product specified.

0490 CCI, Characteristic/class id

To specify the general class and/or the individual properties on which the Quality Data is being reported. Note: within the CCI-segment Property class, coded (7059) or Measurement dimension, coded (6313) or Characteristic identification (7037) must be present.

If Property class, coded (7059) AND Measurement dimension, coded (6313) are present, then Characteristic identification (7037) is not allowed.

If only Property class, coded is used within the CCI-segment, then the individual properties must be specified within the related STA/MEA-segments.

The data element Characteristic (7036) should only be used to enhance the meaning of the code value (e.g. if no specific code available and code value ZZ (mutually defined) is used then Description can be used to further describe the Product Characteristics.

NB: The Class identification element in this segment is only used to specify the product characteristic class, e.g. Chemistry or Physical Dimensions.

0500 PSD, Physical sample description

A segment to define the physical sample parameters associated with a test resulting in discrete measurements. If used in this position, the values only apply to data within the same analysis group.

0510 SPS, Sampling parameters for summary statistics

A segment to define the sampling parameters associated with summary statistics reported. If used in this position, the values only apply to data within the same analysis group.

0520 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment specifying the date, and when relevant, the time of an activity identified by the date/time qualifier, e.g. date/time, test performed.

0530 FTX, Free text

A segment with free text information to give further clarification within Segment group 12: the Analysis Group.

0540 Segment Group 13: RFF-DTM

A segment group of referencing documents relating to the Analysis Section and where necessary, their dates, e.g. Purchase order, shipment note.

0550 RFF, Reference

A segment identifying the referenced document by its number and where appropriate, a line number within that document.

0560 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment specifying the date/time of the referenced document. The specified date should be in 'yymmdd' format, unless all parties agree that there is a functional requirement for an alternative format.

0570 Segment Group 14: MEA-DTM-SG15

A group of segments to allow measurement values or specification values to be specified along with their associated references and dates. The data element Measurement Application Qualifier (6311) indicates the type of the values.

0580 MEA, Measurements

A segment to specify discrete values, other measurement results or specification values. These values may be specified as a range and may be qualified by the significance and/or the attribute codes.

0590 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment specifying the date, and when relevant, the time of an activity identified by the date/time qualifier, e.g. test date/time.

0600 Segment Group 15: RFF-DTM

A Segment group of referencing documents relating to the specifications and values and where necessary, their dates.

0610 RFF, Reference

A segment identifying the referenced document by its number and where appropriate, a line number within that document.

0620 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment specifying the date/time of the referenced document. The specified date should be in 'yymmdd' format, unless all parties agree that there is a functional requirement for an alternative format.

0630 Segment Group 16: STA-DTM-SG17

A group of segments to provide the necessary information for summary statistics with any related references and dates.

0640 STA, Statistics

A segment to specify the values required for statistics including codes to define the type of statistics and the measure unit employed.

0650 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment specifying the date, and when relevant, the time of an activity identified by the date/time qualifier, e.g. time frame of statistical period.

0660 Segment Group 17: RFF-DTM

A Segment group of referencing documents relating to the statistics and where necessary, their dates.

0670 RFF, Reference

A segment identifying the referenced document by its number and where appropriate, a line number within that document.

0680 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment specifying the date/time of the referenced document. The specified date should be in 'yymmdd' format, unless all parties agree that there is a functional requirement for an alternative format.

0690 Segment Group 18: TEM-MEA-DTM-SG19

A group of segments to provide details of the test methods, employed including any circumstances, test devices, references and dates.

0700 TEM, Test method

A segment to describe the nature of the test performed.

0710 MEA, Measurements

A segment to provide the necessary values of the various circumstances related to the tests, e.g. temperature reading when test performed.

0720 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment specifying the date, and when relevant, the time of an activity identified by the date/time qualifier.

0730 Segment Group 19: RFF-DTM

A Segment group of referencing documents relating to the test method and where necessary, their dates.

0740 RFF, Reference

A segment identifying the referenced document by its number and where appropriate, a line number within that document.

0750 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment specifying the date/time of the referenced document. The specified date should be in 'yymmdd' format, unless all parties agree that there is a functional requirement for an alternative format.

0760 Segment Group 20: GIN-DTM-SG21-SG22

A group of segments to enable batch related information to be specified.

0770 GIN, Goods identity number

A segment providing specific serial or batch numbers, relating to the specified product. These may be single numbers or ranges of numbers.

0780 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment specifying the date, and when relevant, the time of an activity identified by the date/time qualifier., e.g. batch process date.

0790 Segment Group 21: RFF-DTM

A Segment group of referencing documents relating to the batch and where necessary, their dates.

0800 RFF, Reference

A segment identifying the referenced document by its number and where appropriate, a line number within that document.

0810 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment specifying the date/time of the referenced document. The specified date should be in 'yymmdd' format, unless all parties agree that there is a functional requirement for an alternative format.

0820 Segment Group 22: CCI-PSD-SPS-DTM-FTX-SG23-SG24-SG26-SG28

A group of segments to be used to define a class of properties, the individual properties within that class and the related data (e.g. discrete values, statistical information, test methods). When this segment group is used, the data is directly related to the product specified.

0830 CCI, Characteristic/class id

To specify the general class and/or the individual properties on which the Quality Data is being reported. Note: within the CCI-segment Property class, coded (7059) or Measurement dimension, coded (6313) or Characteristic identification (7037) must be present.

If Property class, coded (7059) AND Measurement dimension, coded (6313) are present, then Characteristic identification (7037) is not allowed.

If only Property class, coded is used within the CCI-segment, then the individual properties must be specified within the related STA/MEA-segments.

The data element Characteristic (7036) should only be used to enhance the meaning of the code value (e.g. if no specific code available and code value ZZ (mutually defined) is used then Description can be used to further describe the Product Characteristics.

NB: The Class identification element in this segment is only used to specify the product characteristic class, e.g. Chemistry or Physical Dimensions.

0840 PSD, Physical sample description

A segment to define the physical sample parameters associated with a test resulting in discrete measurements. If used in this position, the values only apply to data within the same analysis group.

0850 SPS, Sampling parameters for summary statistics

A segment to define the sampling parameters associated with summary statistics reported. If used in this position, the values only apply to data within the same analysis group.

0860 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment specifying the date, and when relevant, the time of an activity identified by the date/time qualifier, e.g. date/time, test performed.

0870 FTX, Free text

A segment with free text information to give further clarification within Segment group 22: the Analysis Group.

0880 Segment Group 23: RFF-DTM

A segment group of referencing documents relating to the Analysis Section and where necessary, their dates, e.g. Purchase order, shipment note.

0890 RFF, Reference

A segment identifying the referenced document by its number and where appropriate, a line number within that document.

0900 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment specifying the date/time of the referenced document. The specified date should be in 'yymmdd' format, unless all parties agree that there is a functional requirement for an alternative format.

0910 Segment Group 24: MEA-DTM-SG25

A group of segments to allow measurement values or specification values to be specified along with their associated references and dates. The data element Measurement Application Qualifier (6311) indicates the type of the values.

0920 MEA, Measurements

A segment to specify discrete values, other measurement results or specification values. These values may be specified as a range and may be qualified by the significance and/or the attribute codes.

0930 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment specifying the date, and when relevant, the time of an activity identified by the date/time qualifier, e.g. test date/time.

0940 Segment Group 25: RFF-DTM

A Segment group of referencing documents relating to the specifications and values and where necessary, their dates.

0950 RFF, Reference

A segment identifying the referenced document by its number and where appropriate, a line number within that document.

0960 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment specifying the date/time of the referenced document. The specified date should be in 'yymmdd' format, unless all parties agree that there is a functional requirement for an alternative format.

0970 Segment Group 26: STA-DTM-SG27

A group of segments to provide the necessary information for summary statistics with any related references and dates.

0980 STA, Statistics

A segment to specify the values required for statistics including codes to define the type of statistics and the measure unit employed.

0990 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment specifying the date, and when relevant, the time of an activity identified by the date/time qualifier, e.g. time frame of statistical period.

1000 Segment Group 27: RFF-DTM

A Segment group of referencing documents relating to the statistics and where necessary, their dates.

1010 RFF, Reference

A segment identifying the referenced document by its number and where appropriate, a line number within that document.

1020 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment specifying the date/time of the referenced document. The specified date should be in 'yymmdd' format, unless all parties agree that there is a functional requirement for an alternative format.

1030 Segment Group 28: TEM-MEA-DTM-SG29

A group of segments to provide details of the test methods, employed including any circumstances, test devices, references and dates.

1040 TEM, Test method

A segment to describe the nature of the test performed.

1050 MEA, Measurements

A segment to provide the necessary values of the various circumstances related to the tests, e.g. temperature reading when test performed.

1060 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment specifying the date, and when relevant, the time of an activity identified by the date/time qualifier.

1070 Segment Group 29: RFF-DTM

A Segment group of referencing documents relating to the test method and where necessary, their dates.

1080 RFF, Reference

A segment identifying the referenced document by its number and where appropriate, a line number within that document.

1090 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment specifying the date/time of the referenced document. The specified date should be in 'yymmdd' format, unless all parties agree that there is a functional requirement for an alternative format.

1100 Segment Group 30: PRC-SG31-SG32

A group of segments to allow process related quality data to be specified.

1110 PRC, Process identification

A segment to specify the process/sub-process type and description to which the data is related.

1120 Segment Group 31: NAD-LOC

A group of segments identifying Names, Addresses and Locations relevant to the process.

1130 NAD, Name and address

A segment identifying names and addresses of parties, in coded or clear form, and their function relevant for the process.

1140 LOC, Place/location identification

A segment indicating more details regarding specific locations related to the party specified in the NAD- segment, e.g. internal site/building number.

1150 Segment Group 32: CCI-PSD-SPS-DTM-FTX-SG33-SG34-SG36-SG38

A group of segments to be used to define a class of properties, the individual properties within that class and the related data (e.g. discrete values, statistical information, test methods). When this segment group is used, the data is directly related to the product specified.

1160 CCI, Characteristic/class id

To specify the general class and/or the individual properties on which the Quality Data is being reported. Note: within the CCI-segment Property class, coded (7059) or Measurement dimension, coded (6313) or Characteristic identification (7037) must be present.

If Property class, coded (7059) AND Measurement dimension, coded (6313) are present, then Characteristic identification (7037) is not allowed.

If only Property class, coded is used within the CCI-segment, then the individual properties must be specified within the related STA/MEA-segments.

The data element Characteristic (7036) should only be used to enhance the meaning of the code value (e.g. if no specific code available and code value ZZ (mutually defined) is used then Description can be used to further describe the Product Characteristics.

NB: The Class identification element in this segment is only used to specify the product characteristic class, e.g. Chemistry or Physical Dimensions.

1170 PSD, Physical sample description

A segment to define the physical sample parameters associated with a test resulting in discrete measurements. If used in this position, the values only apply to data within the same analysis group.

1180 SPS, Sampling parameters for summary statistics

A segment to define the sampling parameters associated with summary statistics reported. If used in this position, the values only apply to data within the same analysis group.

1190 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment specifying the date, and when relevant, the time of an activity identified by the date/time qualifier, e.g. date/time, test performed.

1200 FTX, Free text

A segment with free text information to give further clarification within Segment group 32: the Analysis Group.

1210 Segment Group 33: RFF-DTM

A segment group of referencing documents relating to the Analysis Section and where necessary, their dates, e.g. Purchase order, shipment note.

1220 RFF, Reference

A segment identifying the referenced document by its number and where appropriate, a line number within that document.

1230 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment specifying the date/time of the referenced document. The specified date should be in 'yymmdd' format, unless all parties agree that there is a functional requirement for an alternative format.

1240 Segment Group 34: MEA-DTM-SG35

A group of segments to allow measurement values or specification values to be specified along with their associated references and dates. The data element Measurement Application Qualifier (6311) indicates the type of the values.

1250 MEA, Measurements

A segment to specify discrete values, other measurement results or specification values. These values may be specified as a range and may be qualified by the significance and/or the attribute codes.

1260 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment specifying the date, and when relevant, the time of an activity identified by the date/time qualifier, e.g. test date/time.

1270 Segment Group 35: RFF-DTM

A Segment group of referencing documents relating to the specifications and values and where necessary, their dates.

1280 RFF, Reference

A segment identifying the referenced document by its number and where appropriate, a line number within that document.

1290 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment specifying the date/time of the referenced document. The specified date should be in 'yymmdd' format, unless all parties agree that there is a functional requirement for an alternative format.

1300 Segment Group 36: STA-DTM-SG37

A group of segments to provide the necessary information for summary statistics with any related references and dates.

1310 STA, Statistics

A segment to specify the values required for statistics including codes to define the type of statistics and the measure unit employed.

1320 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment specifying the date, and when relevant, the time of an activity identified by the date/time qualifier, e.g. time frame of statistical period.

1330 Segment Group 37: RFF-DTM

A Segment group of referencing documents relating to the statistics and where necessary, their dates.

1340 RFF, Reference

A segment identifying the referenced document by its number and where appropriate, a line number within that document.

1350 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment specifying the date/time of the referenced document. The specified date should be in 'yymmdd' format, unless all parties agree that there is a functional requirement for an alternative format.

1360 Segment Group 38: TEM-MEA-DTM-SG39

A group of segments to provide details of the test methods, employed including any circumstances, test devices, references and dates.

1370 TEM, Test method

A segment to describe the nature of the test performed.

1380 MEA, Measurements

A segment to provide the necessary values of the various circumstances related to the tests, e.g. temperature reading when test performed.

1390 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment specifying the date, and when relevant, the time of an activity identified by the date/time qualifier.

1400 Segment Group 39: RFF-DTM

A Segment group of referencing documents relating to the test method and where necessary, their dates.

1410 RFF, Reference

A segment identifying the referenced document by its number and where appropriate, a line number within that document.

1420 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment specifying the date/time of the referenced document. The specified date should be in 'yymmdd' format, unless all parties agree that there is a functional requirement for an alternative format.

1430 UNT, Message trailer

A service segment ending a message, giving the total number of segments in the message and the control reference number of the message.