What is ASC X12?
In 1979, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) chartered the Accredited Standards Committee (ASC) X12 to develop uniform standards for interindustry electronic interchange of business transactions-- electronic data interchange (EDI).
ASC X12 develops, maintains, interprets, publishes and promotes the proper use of American National and UN/EDIFACT International Electronic Data Interchange Standards. The ASC X12 body comes together three times each year to develop and maintain EDI standards. Its main objective is to develop standards to facilitate electronic interchange relating to such business transactions as order placement and processing, shipping and receiving information, invoicing, and payment and cash application data, and data to and from entities involved in finance, insurance, education, and state and federal governments. Together, committee members develop and promote EDI standards that streamline business transactions. X12 standards facilitate these transactions by establishing a common, uniform business language for computers to communicate across town or around the world. With more than 275 transaction sets, X12 standards can be used to electronically conduct nearly every facet of business-to-business operations.
The X12 standard development process involves negotiation and consensus building, resulting in approval and publication of Draft Standards for Trial Use and American National Standards. The committee maintains current standards, proposes new standards and embraces new ideas.
ASC X12 Membership
Membership is open to any individual, company, or organization that may be directly and materially affected by ASC X12 activities. Annual dues payment is required for membership.