The American Supply Association (ASA) recently announced the
launch of the industry’s first Product Data Standard (PDS) Project,
a transformative initiative designed to unify how product data is
shared across the PHCP and PVF supply chain.
With growing digital demands and operational complexity, ASA
is taking a bold step to establish an industry-backed, collaborative
standard that will enhance accuracy, efficiency and innovation for
all stakeholders—from manufacturers and distributors to reps.
What Is the PDS Project?
The PDS Project sets out to create a shared framework for product
data management, ensuring manufacturers and distributors
can exchange consistent, high-quality information. This includes
standardizing how critical product attributes such as dimensions,
materials, finishes, descriptions, UPCs and performance data are
formatted, maintained and integrated into business systems.
The standard is being developed in close collaboration with
more than 30 leading manufacturers and distributors,
supported by ASA’s Embracing the Future Strategic Action Council.
This initiative responds directly to members’ growing frustration
with inconsistent spreadsheets, data misinterpretation and
time-consuming, manual cleanup that slows down digital
transformation efforts.
“Listening to our members, ASA realized the need for a data
standard to make it faster and easier for distributors and
manufacturers to get product info from the source to the site
in a useful form,” said Jeremy Fuller, purchasing manager of
Houston-based Texas Plumbing Supply and a key driver of the
project, which has featured contributions from about 50 volunteer
leaders across ASA-member companies. “In short, we look at
every column of data to see if it's needed, relevant and in the
right format for every link in the distribution chain.”
Why Is ASA Launching This Initiative Now?
The plumbing and PVF industry is undergoing a rapid shift toward
digital. E-commerce, ERP platforms and digital procurement
systems demand structured, reliable product data. Without a
shared standard, manufacturers and distributors are forced to
build and translate data manually, often with inconsistent results.
ASA recognized this gap during its strategic planning sessions. The
lack of a standardized data exchange method was creating delays,
errors and rising costs across the supply chain. As a result, ASA
took on the responsibility of developing a unified standard that
the entire industry could adopt and benefit from.
With a standardized format in place, product data can move
seamlessly from supplier to distributor to end user—reducing
order errors, streamlining operations, enhancing inventory
management and improving the customer experience.
Where and When Is the Standard Being Released?
The PDS became available on July 1. The standard covers
a wide range of plumbing SKUs with consistent, validated
attribute definitions. The standard is available in the product categories below:
- Full-line plumbing
- Water heaters
- Pipe, tubing and related components
- Tools
- Rough plumbing accessories
Each category will have tailored attributes and formatting rules.
Companies will be able to access official documentation and
sample column guides directly from the ASA website.
What Are the Key Benefits of the PDS?
Adopting the new standard provides tangible benefits across the
value chain:
- Reduces errors and misinterpretations: Improved data
accuracy minimizes costly mistakes.
- Enhances efficiency: Eliminates redundant formatting and
data rework.
- Improves order accuracy: Ensures consistent, validated product
information.
- Promotes collaboration: Streamlines communication between
manufacturers, distributors and reps.
- Increases operational efficiency: Reduces labor and improves
speed to market.
- Eliminates confusion: Simplifies product descriptions and
technical data.
As more organizations adopt the standard, its positive impact will
grow exponentially—helping the industry collectively move faster
and smarter.
Who Is Involved and Who Should Participate?
ASA is leading the project with active involvement from its member
task groups, composed of experts in product data, technology,
distribution and manufacturing. ASA’s Innovation & Technology team, led by ASA’s Manager of Innovation and Technology Nils
Swenson, is managing the development, coordination and
rollout of the standard.
The standard is being built with both flexibility and practicality
in mind, recognizing the diversity of systems and data maturity
levels across the industry.
Even organizations just beginning their digital journey will
benefit from aligning with the standard.
“The level of collaboration on this project has been impressive,”
said InSinkErator Digital Marketing Analyst Catherine Decker,
a member of the Product Data Standardization Task Group.
"IT’S CLEAR WE ARE ALL ALIGNED AROUND
A SHARED GOAL: DELIVERING CLEAN, FAST
AND MORE RELIABLE DATA."
How Do I Access the Standard and Get Started?
The standard is now available at: asa.net/Industry-Standards/Product-Data-Standard.
To get started:
- Manufacturers: Share product data with distributor customers
using the new format.
- Distributors: Ask your manufacturers to provide data using the
new standard.
- Data teams: Review the standard documentation and integrate
into your internal systems.
- Leaders: Join the movement — encourage adoption across
your network.
ASA understands that transitioning to a new format takes time,
but as adoption grows, so do the benefits. The long-term gains in
efficiency, speed and accuracy make this a vital investment for all
stakeholders.
What’s Next?
ASA will continue to host webinars, task group meetings and live
sessions to support adoption. In addition, ASA will release updates
and share implementation resources.
For more information or to get involved, visit
asa.net/Industry-Standards/Product-Data-Standard.