This Recommendation No. 2 is a revision of 1981 Recommendation on ECE Layout Key. It aims at promoting the use of clear, structured semantics and coded information in data exchange. Using codified data instead of textual inputs and referencing freely available code lists can ensure that all parties involved understand the same data in the same way. This Recommendation with its guidelines provides a clear definition of key concepts, elaborates on the supply chain process-driven approach to trade data exchanges, outlines the structure of electronic data exchanges and lists key anchors. The Recommendation is supplemented by UN/CEFACT Code lists and the semantic dictionary of key international trade terms for use within UN/CEFACT work.