United Nations Directories
for Electronic Data Interchange for
Administration, Commerce and Transport
UN/EDIFACT
| United Nations Directories for Electronic Data Interchange for Administration, Commerce and Transport UN/EDIFACT |
Message Type : GESMES Version : D Release : 23A Contr. Agency: UN Revision : 3 Date : 2023-07-21 SOURCE: TBG7 Statistics CONTENTS Generic statistical message 0. INTRODUCTION 1. SCOPE 1.1 Functional definition 1.2 Field of application 1.3 Principles 2. REFERENCES 3. TERMS AND DEFINITIONS 3.1 Standard terms and definitions 4. MESSAGE DEFINITION 4.1 Segment clarification 4.2 Segment index (alphabetical sequence by tag) 4.3 Message structure 4.3.1 Segment table --------------------------------------------------------------------------- For general information on UN standard message types see UN Trade Data Interchange Directory, UNTDID, Part 4, Section 2.3, UN/ECE UNSM General Introduction --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 0. INTRODUCTION This specification provides the definition of the Generic statistical message (GESMES) to be used in Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) between trading partners involved in administration, commerce and transport. 1. SCOPE 1.1 Functional definition The compilation of statistics is a continuous chain starting with raw data collection, followed by a number of harmonization and aggregation processes leading to aggregated statistical data. Raw data collection is realized by means of surveys, sampling, direct reporting from individuals, economic operators. Harmonization and aggregation processes are very often handled by statistical bodies or authorized economic operators in case of direct reporting. A Generic Statistical Message (GESMES) is used by an organisation involved in this elaboration process to transmit a statistical data set. It permits the transmission of the following, either in the same and/or different messages: -the statistical concepts comprising the data set and their structure -if required, all related information ( code sets, labels, methodological notes, footnotes, etc.), -the statistical figures of the data set. This message could be used by producers and users of statistical information such as: National Statistical Offices, ministries, private and public administrations, private companies etc. 1.2 Field of application The Generic statistical message may be used for both national and international applications. It is based on universal practice related to administration, commerce and transport, and is not dependent on the type of business or industry. 1.3 Principles The structure of statistical information to be exchanged is quite simple and could be defined as multidimensional array or chronological series. The difficulty of using or exchanging statistical data comes the varieties of interpretations of those structures. The interpretation varies from one statistical domain to another depending on the content. Another key factor is the volume: statistical indicators have many dimensions (e.g. time, classifications depending on statistical nomenclatures), dense and sparse series of matrices could be present simultaneously for the same indicator. The GESMES message may be used to exchange statistical data for all statistical domains in a variety of formats together with their descriptions. The data in the data set (i.e. the array) is contained in a generic segment (ARR - Array). The interpretation of the ARR segment is provided in segment group 8. GESMES is designed to support all types of statistical exchange, including time-series, which can be described by means of statistical concepts (i.e. statistical terms or objects). Associated with statistical data are textual information defining comprehensively the series and matrices, the underlying statistical concept or methodology. This is often referred to as meta-data and corresponds to associated information which is required to interpret basic data, such as headlines, stubs, comments and footnotes. The acronym, GESMES, stands for Generic Statistical Message and comprises a number of parts: i) Identification of administrative information concerning the interchange partners (Gr. 2) ii) Footnotes associated with value lists, statistical concepts and data set structures (Gr. 1) iii) Value lists of coded or non coded items to be used in this message or in a future message (Gr. 4) iv) Definition of statistical concepts to be used in this message or in a future message (Gr. 7). v) Definition of the structure of array data to be used in this message or in a future message, and the allocation of a unique identity to this definition (Gr. 8). vi) Identification of one or more data sets (Gr. 11). For each data set: the identity of the structure definition to be used to interpret the array data (Gr. 12); the scope, value lists or fixed values which are local to the data set (Gr. 13 and 14); the array data (ARR); footnotes associated with the data set (Gr. 18, 19 and 20). 2. REFERENCES See UNTDID, Part 4, Chapter 2.3 UN/ECE UNSM - General Introduction, Section 1. 3. TERMS AND DEFINITIONS 3.1 Standard terms and definitions See UNTDID, Part 4, Chapter 2.3 UN/ECE UNSM - General Introduction, Section 2. 4. MESSAGE DEFINITION 4.1 Segment clarification This section should be read in conjunction with the segment table which indicates mandatory, conditional and repeating requirements. 00010 UNH, Message header A service segment starting and uniquely identifying a message. The message type code for the Generic statistical message is GESMES. Note: Generic statistical messages conforming to this document must contain the following data in segment UNH, composite S009: Data element 0065 GESMES 0052 D 0054 23A 0051 UN 00020 BGM, Beginning of message A segment specifying the functional use (e.g. sub-set) of the Generic Statistical Message and identifying the message sent. 00030 DTM, Date/time/period A segment identifying dates which are relevant to the whole of the message. 00040 Segment group 1: FNT-FTX A group of segments containing textual footnotes related to value lists or definitions of the content and structure of an array. 00050 FNT, Footnote A segment containing the unique identifier of the footnote. 00060 FTX, Free text A segment containing the text relevant to the footnote. 00070 Segment group 2: NAD-IDE-SG3 A group of segments identifying the sender and other relevant parties, their reference and the communication contact inside the corresponding organisations. 00080 NAD, Name and address A segment identifying the name and address of a party. 00090 IDE, Identity A segment giving the identity number of the data transmitted as it is known by the organisation described in the NAD segment. 00100 Segment group 3: CTA-COM A group of segments giving contact information. 00110 CTA, Contact information A segment identifying a person or a department for the party specified in the NAD segment and to whom communication should be directed. 00120 COM, Communication contact A segment providing a communication number for the contact identified in the CTA segment. 00130 Segment group 4: VLI-DTM-FTX-SG5-SG6-SG7 A group of segments containing either a coded or non coded list of items and related information. 00140 VLI, Value list identification A segment identifying the value list. 00150 DTM, Date/time/period A segment identifying the period of validity of the value list and, if the value list is a date list, then a date value in that list. 00160 FTX, Free text A segment containing text associated with the value list. 00170 Segment group 5: IDE-DTM A group of segments containing the identification of an object related to the value list and the period of validity. 00180 IDE, Identity A segment containing an identifier of an object related to the value list (e.g. a statistical nomenclature from which the codes in the list are derived, or a footnote). 00190 DTM, Date/time/period A segment containing date information related to the identified object of the value list such as validity date or date range. 00200 Segment group 6: GIR-DTM A group of segments containing the related identification number and the period of validity. 00210 GIR, Related identification numbers A segment containing additional identifiers associated with the value list (e.g. for a statistical nomenclature this could be a revision number or level number). 00220 DTM, Date/time/period A segment identifying the period of validity relating to the object identified in the GIR of this group. 00230 Segment group 7: CDV-FTX-SG8 A group of segments containing the codes or names in a value list. 00240 CDV, Code value definition A segment identifying a particular value of a code. 00250 FTX, Free text A segment containing the textual description of the code. Multi-lingual definitions may be present in different occurrences of this segment. 00260 Segment group 8: IDE-DTM A group of segments containing the identification of an object related to the code value and the period of validity. 00270 IDE, Identity A segment containing an identifier of an object related to the code value (e.g. a related code list containing a list of code values for the code, or a footnote). 00280 DTM, Date/time/period A segment identifying the period of validity relating to the object identification. 00290 Segment group 9: STC-FTX-IDE A group of segments specifying a statistical concept. 00300 STC, Statistical concept A segment identifying a statistical concept. 00310 FTX, Free text A segment containing the name, definition or description of the statistical concept. 00320 IDE, Identity A segment containing the identity of a footnote relevant to the statistical concept. 00330 Segment group 10: ASI-GEI-FTX-IDE-SG11 A group of segments which identifies and defines the structure of an array. 00340 ASI, Array structure identification A segment containing the unique identifier of the array structure. 00350 GEI, Processing information A segment containing a processing indicator associated with the array structure. 00360 FTX, Free text A segment containing a name/title or description of the structure of an array. 00370 IDE, Identity A segment containing the identity of a footnote relevant to the structure. 00380 Segment group 11: SCD-ATT-SG12 A group of segments which defines the structure of an array. 00390 SCD, Structure component definition A segment that defines a statistical concept or other object (such as a value list) used by an array and its position in the array. 00400 ATT, Attribute A segment containing an attribute that further defines the structure component (e.g. type of value, type of measurement, etc.). 00410 Segment group 12: IDE-ATT-DTM A group of segments identifying a value list or a value in a value list which is used by the statistical concept. 00420 IDE, Identity A segment identifying the value list or value. 00430 ATT, Attribute A segment containing an attribute that further defines the value (e.g. type of value, type of measurement etc.). 00440 DTM, Date/time/period A segment identifying period of validity of the value list or other dates relevant to the value list. 00450 Segment group 13: DSI-STS-DTM-FTX-GIR-SG14-ARR-SG18-SG20-SG25 A group of segments identifying the data set, its status, the source of the data, the array data itself, the structure definition of the data set and definition of the scope of the data and local values, details on the originator of a data, and footnotes associated with the array data. 00460 DSI, Data set identification A segment containing the unique identifier of the data set. 00470 STS, Status A segment containing information on the status of the information in the data set, e.g. its elaboration or privacy status. 00480 DTM, Date/time/period A segment identifying a date relevant to the data set, e.g. date of original elaboration. 00490 FTX, Free text A segment containing a textual description of the data set. 00500 GIR, Related identification numbers A segment containing additional identifiers associated with the data set (e.g. identification of the source or destination of the data in the data set). 00510 Segment group 14: IDE-GEI-DTM-SG15-SG16 A group of segments containing an identifier relevant to the data set, a processing indicator and a date. 00520 IDE, Identity A segment containing an identifier relevant to the data set, such as the scope or structure definition used by the data set. 00530 GEI, Processing information A segment containing a processing indicator associated with the array data. 00540 DTM, Date/time/period A segment identifying a date relevant to the identity e.g. date relating to the scope of the data. 00550 Segment group 15: CDV-FTX A group of segments containing the codes or names in a value list that are relevant to the object identified in the IDE segment of the group e.g. one or more codes that specify the scope of the data set. 00560 CDV, Code value definition A segment identifying a particular value of a code. 00570 FTX, Free text A segment containing the textual description of the code. Multi-lingual definitions may be present in different occurrences of this segment. 00580 Segment group 16: SCD-ATT-DTM-SG17 A group of segments which identifies a structure component of the array and defines attributes or codes which are local to the data set identified in the DSI segment. 00590 SCD, Structure component definition A segment that identifies the structure component. 00600 ATT, Attribute A segment containing an attribute that further defines the structure component (e.g. type of value, type of measurement etc.). 00610 DTM, Date/time/period A segment specifying a date relevant to the structure component e.g. a date for time series data. 00620 Segment group 17: CDV-FTX A group of segments containing the codes or names in a value list that are relevant to the structure component identified in the SCD segment. 00630 CDV, Code value definition A segment identifying a particular value of a code. 00640 FTX, Free text A segment containing the textual description of the code. Multi-lingual definitions may be present in different occurrences of this segment. 00650 ARR, Array information A segment containing the data in the data set. 00660 Segment group 18: NAD-IDE-SG19 A group of segments identifying the department and contact person within the sending organisation responsible for a particular aspect of the data set (e.g. compilation). 00670 NAD, Name and address A segment identifying a particular department in an organisation responsible for the data set. 00680 IDE, Identity A segment containing an identifier used by the sender or receiver to identify the data set. 00690 Segment group 19: CTA-COM A group of segments giving contact information. 00700 CTA, Contact information A segment identifying a person or a department for the party specified in the NAD segment and to whom communication should be directed. 00710 COM, Communication contact A segment providing a communication number for the contact identified in the CTA segment. 00720 Segment group 20: FNS-SG21 A group of segments identifying the location in the data set to which a footnote is relevant. 00730 FNS, Footnote set A segment identifying a set of footnotes, which are either defined in this group or have been defined previously. 00740 Segment group 21: REL-SG22 A group of segments identifying the scope of the footnote, the location in the data set to which a footnote is relevant, and the identity number of that footnote. 00750 REL, Relationship A segment defining the scope of a footnote in terms of the relationship between the data in the ARR segment in segment group 22 and the data in the ARR segment in segment group 13. 00760 Segment group 22: ARR-FTX-SG23 A group of segments which identifies the set of values in the array to which the footnotes or attributes apply, and which give the data value of the footnotes or attributes. 00770 ARR, Array information A segment containing data values that identify the location in the data set to which a footnote is relevant. 00780 FTX, Free text A segment containing a footnote value. 00790 Segment group 23: IDE-FTX-SG24 A group of segments which identify an attribute and give its value. 00800 IDE, Identity A segment containing the identity of a footnote relevant to the data in the data set. 00810 FTX, Free text A segment containing an uncoded attribute value. 00820 Segment group 24: CDV-FTX A group of segments which specifies a coded attribute value and its name, description, or definition. 00830 CDV, Code value definition A segment which specifies a coded attribute value. 00840 FTX, Free text A segment which specifies the name, description or definition of a coded attribute value. 00850 Segment group 25: FNT-FTX A group of segments containing textual footnotes related to data in the data set. 00860 FNT, Footnote A segment containing the unique identifier of the footnote. 00870 FTX, Free text A segment containing the text of the footnote. 00880 UNT, Message trailer A service segment ending a message, giving the total number of segments in the message (including the UNH & UNT) and the control reference number of the message. 4.2 Segment index (alphabetical sequence by tag) ARR Array information ASI Array structure identification ATT Attribute BGM Beginning of message CDV Code value definition COM Communication contact CTA Contact information DSI Data set identification DTM Date/time/period FNS Footnote set FNT Footnote FTX Free text GEI Processing information GIR Related identification numbers IDE Identity NAD Name and address REL Relationship SCD Structure component definition STC Statistical concept STS Status UNH Message header UNT Message trailer VLI Value list identification
4.3 Message structure 4.3.1 Segment table Pos Tag Name S R 00010 UNH Message header M 1 00020 BGM Beginning of message C 1 00030 DTM Date/time/period C 9 00040 ---- Segment group 1 ------------------ C 9999-------------+ 00050 FNT Footnote M 1 | 00060 FTX Free text C 9999-------------+ 00070 ---- Segment group 2 ------------------ C 9----------------+ 00080 NAD Name and address M 1 | 00090 IDE Identity C 1 | | 00100 ---- Segment group 3 ------------------ C 5---------------+| 00110 CTA Contact information M 1 || 00120 COM Communication contact C 5---------------++ 00130 ---- Segment group 4 ------------------ C 99---------------+ 00140 VLI Value list identification M 1 | 00150 DTM Date/time/period C 9999 | 00160 FTX Free text C 9999 | | 00170 ---- Segment group 5 ------------------ C 9---------------+| 00180 IDE Identity M 1 || 00190 DTM Date/time/period C 9---------------+| | 00200 ---- Segment group 6 ------------------ C 5---------------+| 00210 GIR Related identification numbers M 1 || 00220 DTM Date/time/period C 2---------------+| | 00230 ---- Segment group 7 ------------------ C 9999------------+| 00240 CDV Code value definition M 1 || 00250 FTX Free text C 999 || || 00260 ---- Segment group 8 ------------------ C 9--------------+|| 00270 IDE Identity M 1 ||| 00280 DTM Date/time/period C 9--------------+++ 00290 ---- Segment group 9 ------------------ C 999--------------+ 00300 STC Statistical concept M 1 | 00310 FTX Free text C 5 | 00320 IDE Identity C 5----------------+ 00330 ---- Segment group 10 ------------------ C 9999-------------+ 00340 ASI Array structure identification M 1 | 00350 GEI Processing information C 5 | 00360 FTX Free text C 9 | 00370 IDE Identity C 5 | | 00380 ---- Segment group 11 ------------------ C 999-------------+| 00390 SCD Structure component definition M 1 || 00400 ATT Attribute C 99 || || 00410 ---- Segment group 12 ------------------ C 9999-----------+|| 00420 IDE Identity M 1 ||| 00430 ATT Attribute C 99 ||| 00440 DTM Date/time/period C 2--------------+++ 00450 ---- Segment group 13 ------------------ C 999--------------+ 00460 DSI Data set identification M 1 | 00470 STS Status C 9 | 00480 DTM Date/time/period C 5 | 00490 FTX Free text C 5 | 00500 GIR Related identification numbers C 2 | | 00510 ---- Segment group 14 ------------------ C 99--------------+| 00520 IDE Identity M 1 || 00530 GEI Processing information C 5 || 00540 DTM Date/time/period C 5 || || 00550 ---- Segment group 15 ------------------ C 999------------+|| 00560 CDV Code value definition M 1 ||| 00570 FTX Free text C 99-------------+|| || 00580 ---- Segment group 16 ------------------ C 999------------+|| 00590 SCD Structure component definition M 1 ||| 00600 ATT Attribute C 9 ||| 00610 DTM Date/time/period C 9999 ||| ||| 00620 ---- Segment group 17 ------------------ C 9999----------+||| 00630 CDV Code value definition M 1 |||| 00640 FTX Free text C 99------------+++| 00650 ARR Array information C 999999 | | 00660 ---- Segment group 18 ------------------ C 5---------------+| 00670 NAD Name and address M 1 || 00680 IDE Identity C 1 || || 00690 ---- Segment group 19 ------------------ C 5--------------+|| 00700 CTA Contact information M 1 ||| 00710 COM Communication contact C 5--------------++| | 00720 ---- Segment group 20 ------------------ C 999-------------+| 00730 FNS Footnote set M 1 || || 00740 ---- Segment group 21 ------------------ C 9999-----------+|| 00750 REL Relationship M 1 ||| ||| 00760 ---- Segment group 22 ------------------ C 9999----------+||| 00770 ARR Array information M 1 |||| 00780 FTX Free text C 9999 |||| |||| 00790 ---- Segment group 23 ------------------ C 9999---------+|||| 00800 IDE Identity M 1 ||||| 00810 FTX Free text C 9999 ||||| ||||| 00820 ---- Segment group 24 ------------------ C 9999--------+||||| 00830 CDV Code value definition M 1 |||||| 00840 FTX Free text C 9999--------+++++| | 00850 ---- Segment group 25 ------------------ C 9999------------+| 00860 FNT Footnote M 1 || 00870 FTX Free text C 9999------------++ 00880 UNT Message trailer M 1