Item database, codes and description

Item codes and descriptions

All standard items have a reference code and a standard description in order to:

1. -      Facilitate communications at all steps in the supply chain
2. -      Enable computer management of the supply chain
3. -      Facilitate the listing of all standard items in a logical order
4. -      Facilitate the use of search tools for standard item lists
5. -      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:

Examples:

-       MDRECOMPA10              COMPRESS, ALUMINIZED, 10 x 10 cm, wound pad, sterile

-       WNECGACR2M1F           COUPLING, GALVA, REDUCER, 2"-1", thread male/fem

Current item groups, 18 in total: