ETIM 11 and ECLASS 17: What changes for product data in late 2026

New versions of the two leading classification standards for technical products will be released in late 2026: ETIM 11.0 and ECLASS 17.0. For manufacturers, wholesalers and platform operators, this means reviewing classes and properties, updating mappings and delivering data in the version each recipient requires. This article summarises the timeline, known changes and the steps needed in your PIM.

Key points at a glance

• ETIM 11.0: The beta phase runs from 15 October to 15 November 2026, with release scheduled for 1 December 2026.
• ECLASS 17.0: The German and English versions are scheduled for release by 30 November 2026. The current version, ECLASS 16.0, has been available since 28 November 2025.
• According to ECLASS, ECLASS 17.0 introduces around 5,300 new classes, around 650 new properties and a new segment 52 for waste. ETIM Deutschland has not yet provided details of the content of ETIM 11.0 in its release plan.
• Both standards are voluntary. In practice, your data recipients determine when you need to switch: wholesalers, platforms and customers.
• A PIM should manage multiple versions in parallel, support mappings from the old version to the new one and export the appropriate version for each recipient.

Timeline at a glance

What is new in ECLASS 17.0

In September 2026, ECLASS outlined the status of the beta. By then, around 175,000 change requests had been submitted for the alpha and beta, including around 127,300 for extensions. The main points:

• around 5,300 new classes, including approximately 2,600 classification classes, plus new blocks, aspects and properties,
• around 650 new properties, approximately 2,300 new values and around 170 new value lists,
• a new segment 52, “Waste, processing residue”, based on the European List of Waste,
• a redesign of segment 44 (Automotive technology, automotive components), plus many new classes in segments 28 (Vehicles) and 49 (Public safety and defence technology),
• more than 700 change requests to remove duplicate content and improve consistency between German and English designations.

These figures reflect the beta status and may change before release. Manufacturers in automotive technology and the automotive industry are particularly affected by the restructuring of segment 44.

What we know about ETIM 11.0

ETIM Deutschland has published the timeline, but its release plan does not yet include a list of content changes. Requests for change were submitted through the sector offices for electrical products, sanitary, heating and air conditioning, building materials, and tools, hardware and industrial supplies (WEBA). If you supply ETIM data, you should check the beta against your own classes by 15 November 2026 and review the change list after release. Our wiki article on ETIM explains the basics of the standard.

What manufacturers and retailers should do now

1. Ask your data recipients: Which version do your key wholesalers, platforms and customers require, and from when? Not all recipients will switch at the same time.
2. Identify affected classes: Compare the classes you use with the change lists. New, split or merged classes need to be mapped.
3. Populate new mandatory properties: New properties require data you may not have maintained before. Plan who will source and maintain it.
4. Plan for parallel versions: During the transition, you will usually need to supply two versions: the old one for existing recipients and the new one for those that have switched.
5. Test exports: Check BMEcat and other exports using the new version before recipients switch.

What your PIM needs to support

• manage multiple versions of ETIM and ECLASS simultaneously without maintaining duplicate data,
• import mapping tables from the old version to the new one and transfer property values automatically wherever possible,
• validate mandatory properties for each class and version and highlight gaps,
• export the required version for each recipient, for example as BMEcat,
• make changes traceable: which version was sent to whom and when.

Our industry comparisons for wholesale, the electrical industry and construction and building services show how individual vendors support ETIM and ECLASS. Our wiki article on ECLASS covers the basics.

Frequently asked questions

When does ETIM 11.0 take effect?

Release is scheduled for 1 December 2026. There is no statutory deadline for switching. Your data recipients determine when you need to switch.

When will ECLASS 17.0 be released?

ECLASS plans to release the German and English versions by 30 November 2026. Change requests could be submitted until 22 September 2026.

Do I need to switch to the new version immediately?

No. Both standards are voluntary. It makes sense to review the changes early, prepare mappings and agree on a switchover date with your key data recipients.

Do I need both ETIM and ECLASS?

That depends on your data recipients. ETIM is particularly widespread in the electrical, sanitary, heating, air conditioning and building materials trades, while ECLASS is more widely used in industry, procurement and automotive. Some manufacturers supply both.

How can I tell whether my PIM supports the new version?

Ask your vendor when the new version can be imported, whether the old and new versions can run in parallel and whether mapping tables are supported. Ask for a demonstration using your own classes.

Sources

• ETIM Deutschland: ETIM 11.0 release plan
• ECLASS: Release 17.0, change requests until 22 September 2026
• ECLASS: Releases
• ECLASS: Development of Release 17.0 has begun (timeline)

Last updated: November 2026

Have questions? We are happy to advise you.

Want to know whether your PIM is ready for ETIM 11.0 and ECLASS 17.0, or which system can reliably manage versions in parallel? Get in touch.