One of the main barriers to efficient trade is inaccurate non-standardised and asynchronous product data. It affects transactional efficiency at all levels of the supply chain and inhibits successful flow of information for sales and marketing activities.

BOSS has developed three standards that are now ubiquitous in the industry; all three of them are regularly reviewed to ensure that they still meet the needs of the industry. The standards are:

• Unit of Sale - often referred to as 'Packs & Pers'
• Standard Abbreviations and the Short Description Standard
• Industry Standard Product Classification (ISPC) - often referred to as the 'BOSS Code'