Item codes and descriptions
All standard items have a reference code and a standard description in order to:
- Facilitate communications at all steps in the supply chain
- Enable computer management of the supply chain
- Facilitate the listing of all standard items in a logical order
- Facilitate the use of search tools for standard item lists
- Enable data consolidation
The coding system is in English. Each item is issued with a unique standardized code; those familiar with the system should be able to easily identify the type of item by reading the code.
Item descriptions have a maximum of 60 characters; only key words appear in upper case.
A revision of the codes and descriptions is undertaken annually. The complete standard items list is available from ICRC headquarters and the International Federation secretariat.
To avoid duplication, responsibility for registering the codes for standard items has been centralized under the ICRC Logistics Division.
Currently, the database includes 10,000 items of which only a selection, 2,400 has been included in this catalogue.
Code structure
The code is divided into four fields. The first, groups, defines an item according to a preset list corresponding to its area of use: medical, administration, etc. The next two fields - family and category - indicate the nature of the item; and the last - specifications - it unique details.
12-character codification breakdown:
Field |
N° of allocated spaces |
Number or entries |
Group |
1 digit, letter |
18 groups |
Family |
3 digits, letter |
211 families |
Category |
4 digits, letter |
1826 categories |
Specifications |
4 digits, letter/number |
10,717 specification |
G |
|
F |
A |
M |
|
C |
A |
T |
E |
|
S |
P |
0 |
1 |
Group |
Family |
Category |
Specifications |
Examples:
- MDRECOMPA10 COMPRESS, ALUMINIZED, 10 x 10 cm, wound pad, sterile
M |
|
D |
R |
E |
|
C |
O |
M |
P |
|
A |
1 |
0 |
|
Medical |
Dressing |
Compresses |
Aluminium 10x10cm |
- WNECGACR2M1F COUPLING, GALVA, REDUCER, 2"-1", thread male/fem
W |
|
N |
E |
C |
|
G |
A |
C |
R |
|
2 |
M |
1 |
F |
WatSan |
Network couplings |
Galvanized couplings reducer |
2-inch male 1-inch female |
Current item groups, 18 in total:
Group |
Group description |
A |
Administration |
C |
Radio and Telecommunications |
D |
Drugs |
E |
Engineering |
F |
Food |
H |
Housing |
I |
Information Technology |
K |
Kits, Modules and Sets |
L |
Library |
M |
Medical Renewable Items |
O |
Prosthetic Technology |
R |
Economic Rehabilitation |
S |
Services |
T |
Transport |
U |
Emergency Response Units |
V |
Veterinary |
W |
WatSan |
X |
Medical Equipment and Instruments |