Doc. PLMV-GLO · Rev. 2026.10
Glossary
Short definitions of product data, PLM and EU regulation terms used in the register and knowledge base. Longer notes and related articles sit under each entry.
B
- BOM
A bill of materials lists the parts, materials and quantities that make up a product. PLM systems usually manage several BOM views for engineering, manufacturing and service.
BOM structures change through engineering change control. Related views include EBOM, MBOM and SBOM.
C
- CAD
Computer-aided design tools create geometric product models. CAD files and structures are typically vaulted and revised in PDM or PLM.
Multi-CAD environments need clear ownership of the master model and derived formats.
- CSRD
The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive requires in-scope companies to report sustainability information to European standards, including product-related impacts where material.
Product data from PLM and LCA tools often feeds CSRD disclosures for manufactured goods.
D
- DAM
Digital asset management stores and governs media assets such as images, video and documents used across channels and product content.
DAM often integrates with PIM so channel content can reference approved media.
- DPP
A digital product passport is a structured set of product data made available through a data carrier, required under EU ecodesign rules for covered product groups.
DPP data often draws on PLM, compliance and sustainability records. Timelines depend on delegated acts per product group.
E
- EBOM
An engineering bill of materials describes the product as designed. It is organised by design intent rather than by how the product is built on the shop floor.
EBOMs are maintained in PLM or PDM and feed manufacturing planning when an MBOM is derived.
- ECLASS
ECLASS is a hierarchical product classification and property dictionary used for industrial catalogue and procurement data.
ECLASS encodings appear in PIM, ERP and supplier exchange scenarios.
- ECN
An engineering change notice communicates a decided change to stakeholders. Some organisations use ECN as a synonym for ECO; others treat it as the notification step only.
Check local process definitions when comparing vendors that label change objects differently.
- ECO
An engineering change order authorises and drives implementation of an approved change. It lists affected items, effectivity and tasks.
ECO effectivity may be date-based, serial-based or lot-based depending on industry practice.
- ECR
An engineering change request proposes a change to a product, process or document. It captures the problem, impact and suggested solution before approval.
ECRs typically lead to an ECO once the change is authorised for implementation.
- EPR
Extended producer responsibility makes producers financially or operationally responsible for end-of-life products or packaging under national and EU schemes.
EPR reporting needs accurate product, material and packaging classification data.
- ERP
Enterprise resource planning runs transactional processes such as finance, inventory, purchasing and production planning. It consumes product and BOM data from PLM.
ERP is not a substitute for engineering change control or CAD data management.
- ESPR
The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation sets an EU framework for product sustainability requirements, including digital product passports for regulated groups.
ESPR replaced the previous ecodesign directive framework for a wider set of product aspects.
- ESRS
European Sustainability Reporting Standards specify what CSRD reporters must disclose. They include topical standards that may require product and value-chain data.
ESRS application depends on company size, listing status and phase-in rules.
- ETIM
ETIM is a product classification and feature model widely used for technical products in electrical and related trades.
ETIM classes and features are often mapped in PIM for B2B catalogue exchange.
- EUDR
The EU Deforestation Regulation requires due diligence and traceability for listed commodities and derived products placed on the EU market.
Operators need geolocation and supply-chain evidence; product systems may store identifiers that link to due diligence files.
G
- GDSN
The Global Data Synchronisation Network is a GS1 network for synchronising standardised trade item data between brands and retailers.
GDSN attributes often originate or are validated in PIM and master data processes.
- GPC
The GS1 Global Product Classification categorises trade items for analytics and data synchronisation across the GS1 system.
GPC bricks are commonly required fields in GDSN publications.
- GS1 Digital Link
GS1 Digital Link encodes GS1 identifiers in web URIs so a single data carrier can resolve to online product information and services.
It is a common carrier approach for digital product passport pilots and retail applications.
- GTIN
A Global Trade Item Number is a GS1 identifier for a trade item. It underpins barcodes and many digital product links.
GTINs are allocated by GS1 member organisations and must stay unique for each trade item configuration that needs a distinct identity.
L
- LCA
Life cycle assessment estimates environmental impacts of a product across defined lifecycle stages, using inventory data and impact methods.
LCA results and underlying inventories increasingly link to PLM structures and DPP data sets.
M
- MBOM
A manufacturing bill of materials describes how a product is assembled or produced. It reflects process steps, plant materials and manufacturing packaging of parts.
MBOMs often diverge from the EBOM and are reconciled through change processes and ERP planning.
- MDM
Master data management governs shared reference data across domains, for example customers, suppliers or product identifiers, so systems use consistent golden records.
Product MDM overlaps with PLM and PIM; boundaries depend on which attributes are treated as enterprise master data.
- MES
A manufacturing execution system manages and monitors shop-floor work orders, routing and production events. It uses manufacturing BOMs and process plans.
MES sits between ERP planning and plant equipment; PLM supplies the product definition MES executes.
P
- PCF
A product carbon footprint is the greenhouse gas impact associated with a product over a defined lifecycle scope, often reported in CO2-equivalent.
PCF methods and boundaries must be stated; values without method context are not comparable.
- PDM
Product data management stores and controls CAD files, documents and revisions. It is narrower than PLM, which also covers processes across the product lifecycle.
Many PLM suites include a PDM core for CAD vaulting and revision control.
- PIM
Product information management holds commercial and channel-facing product content such as descriptions, media references, attributes and catalogue structures.
PIM usually receives a subset of engineering data from PLM and prepares it for sales and marketing channels.
- PLM
Product lifecycle management is the discipline and software used to manage product definition, change and collaboration from concept through use and end of life.
PLM sits beside ERP, MES, PIM and DAM in the wider product data stack.
- PPWR
The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation sets EU rules for packaging design, recycled content, labelling and waste. It creates data obligations for packaged goods.
PPWR interacts with product and packaging master data held in PLM, PIM and packaging specifications.
R
- REACH
REACH is the EU regulation on registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals. It drives substance declarations for articles and mixtures.
PLM and compliance modules often store SCIP and supplier declarations used for REACH duties.
- RoHS
RoHS restricts certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment placed on the EU market.
RoHS conformity relies on material declarations and supplier evidence managed alongside PLM item data.
S
- SaaS
Software as a service delivers applications over the network with the provider operating the infrastructure. Many modern PLM and PIM products offer SaaS deployment.
SaaS choices affect data residency, upgrade cadence and integration patterns compared with private cloud or on-premise.
- SBOM
A software bill of materials lists software components and dependencies in a product or digital asset. In hardware contexts SBOM can also mean a service bill of materials.
In PLM Vendors articles, SBOM usually means the service BOM unless software supply chain is stated.
U
- UNSPSC
The United Nations Standard Products and Services Code is a classification for products and services used in procurement and spend analysis.
UNSPSC codes may sit on items in ERP or PIM alongside industry-specific classifications.