mpXML and the Uniform Code Council

mpXML and the Uniform Code Council to Collaborate on Global E-Business
Standards for Perishables

Improved Supply Chain Efficiency, Traceability, and Food Safety 
Identified as Key Goals 

For Immediate Release

Date: July 12, 2002

Editorial Contacts:    

Andrew Cheatham                   Ms. Terry Erman
MpXML                                  Uniform Code Council, Inc.
Marketing Specialist                 Director, Marketing/Public Relations
Phone: 703-518-4165              Phone:  609.620.4543
Email: acheatham@disa.org       Email:  terman@uc-council.org

Alexandria, Va./Princeton, NJ, July 12, 2002 - The Meat and Poultry Data Standards Organization (mpXML) and the Uniform Code Council, Inc. (UCC), leaders in facilitating efficient international business, have announced an initiative to synchronize efforts to develop global electronic trading standards for perishable meat and poultry products.  The objectives for the standards include improving supply chain efficiencies, improving category management of perishables for retailers, and encoding more detailed information. The ability to encode more information will facilitate traceability and enhance food safety and quality management programs that operate throughout the supply chain.

The mpXML organization was established in 2001 to build consensus among trading partners in the meat and poultry supply chain to speed the industry-wide adoption of voluntary XML (eXtensible Markup Language) standards.  Some of the leading organizations supporting the mpXML mission include Tyson Foods, Perdue Farms, Smithfield Foods, Wegmans Food Markets, Daymon Associates, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Its objectives and vision are shared by the Uniform Code Council, which has been actively supporting the development of EDI and XML standards for various U.S. and Canadian industries, including the grocery industry, since 1970. The UCC and EAN International co-manage the EAN.UCC System, which provides global standards that are used in 23 major industries by nearly one million member companies doing business in 140 countries around the world.

mpXML submitted a request to the EAN.UCC Global Standards Management Process, formally requesting that this approach be used to develop improved perishable standards.  Once available, these standards are expected to create significant return on investment opportunities by extending center-store product management capabilities to perimeter-store perishable products.  They would also create new opportunities to implement practices such as vendor-managed inventories and Collaborative Planning, Forecasting, and Replenishment (CPFRâ) for perishable, variable measure products.

“mpXML was created as an industry working group that seeks to rapidly integrate existing initiatives and emerging technologies to create new value through industry-wide e-business standards.” said Gary Cooper, Vice Chairman of mpXML and Vice President of Information Systems for Tyson Foods, Inc, “We encourage other interested parties to join us in developing these standards.  mpXML working committees are now being created, and suppliers and retailers that act quickly will have the advantage of influencing the next generation of perishable product standards from start to finish.”

Michael Bargman, Sr. Vice President of Wegmans Food Markets noted, "mpXML’s industry forum and member commitment to improve electronic trading standards for perishables and the UCC’s experience in developing symbology solutions and global information standards provide the right combination of experience and resources to make rapid progress.”

"As the name implies, perishables have a limited window of opportunity, and there is little margin for inefficient business practices,” said Mike DiYeso, Executive Vice President and COO for the Uniform Code Council.  "The UCC is pleased to join mpXML in the effort to bring the proven benefits of open data standards to our members in the perishable supply chain. By implementing these standards to reduce supply chain costs, companies can focus on growing their business instead of the costs of doing business." 

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About mpXML:

mpXML was created in 2001 and is open to all interested parties. Companies that join mpXML designate representatives that serve on the committees and work groups that develop the standards.  mpXML offsets its essential operating expenses through annual dues from its members. Its activities are governed by an unpaid, elected board that represents all sectors of the meat and poultry supply chain and who assure that mpXML's standards meet the needs of the entire supply chain. To learn more about mpXML and how to become a member, visit http://www.mpxml.org/ or call +1 703-518-4168.

About the Uniform Code Council:

The mission of the Uniform Code Council, Inc., (http://www.uc-council.org/) is to take a global leadership role in establishing and promoting multi-industry standards for product identification and related electronic communications.  The goal is to enhance efficient supply chain management, thus contributing added value to the customer.

CPFR® is a Registered Trademark of the Voluntary Interindustry (VICS) Association