Explanation of standards

As shown in the image below, there are three distinct components to information standards within the supply chain:

• Identification: Standard numbering which can be applied to individual animals, cattle consignments, carcase, carton and pallet labels, meat consignments.
  
  
• Data carriers: Represent the identification numbers in machine readable format, for example: Bar codes, Radio Frequency Identification Devices (RFID), pallet labels, carton labels and carcase tickets.
  
  
• eMessaging: Standards to transmit the captured data between trading parties and electronic National Vendor Declaration and Waybill (e-DEC) electronic Meat Transfer Certificates (eMTCs).

Further information

• Download the Guide to information standards