A merger between RosettaNet and the UCC (Uniform Code Council) has been announced by the two entities as a "strategic partnership which will advance B2B integration in the marketplace and help strengthen standards adoption across multiple industries." Under this agreement, "RosettaNet will become a subsidiary of the UCC, while continuing to operate as an entity directly with its members. The UCC currently works within 23 industries with an emphasis on retail and grocery. RosettaNet focuses on the high tech sector, and specifically companies representing electronic components, information technology and semiconductor manufacturing. The UCC's XML-based business processes align with RosettaNet's strong business process standards development and global implementation strategy. The pairing of the two organizations will accelerate strategic innovation and leadership initiatives throughout the industries serviced by each organization, resulting in rapid supply chain integration across global trading networks. The merger is aimed at strengthening the development and adoption of business-to-business (B2B) standards across the industries served by the two organizations and expanding the standards-based business opportunities for respective member companies. A primary goal of the relationship is to accelerate B2B integration via industry implementation efforts for XML standards and emerging services. By forming a common architectural environment, the two organizations will drive joint development of B2B standards supporting multiple industries, thereby increasing the speed and number of implementations across user communities, and attracting adjacent industry sectors on a worldwide basis."

From the FAQ document:

The merger of RosettaNet and UCC is indicative of the maturation in the standards development community. Many standards organizations focus on debating the virtues of one technology over the other, or emphasizing the importance of standardization to one industry over another. Today, RosettaNet and UCC raise the bar. By recognizing their shared interests and complimentary strengths, RosettaNet and UCC can work together to facilitate the ease and speed of standards implementation for the broadest set of industry user communities. Mergers such as that between RosettaNet and UCC signify the market's demand for fewer but more effective initiatives overall. RosettaNet and UCC are proud to help lead the way to streamline standards development efforts and reduce confusion in the marketplace.

RosettaNet standards, including but not limited to Partner Interface Processes (PIPs), RosettaNet Implementation Framework (RNIF) and RosettaNet Technical Dictionary (RNTD), will continue to be offered as royalty free for all users. RosettaNet standards are to remain open and available at no cost to the general public on a worldwide basis.

From the announcement:

The UCC and RosettaNet have worked together since 1998, collaborating on existing projects to promote a single, unified approach to the standards adoption process. The merger presents a greater opportunity around a variety of standards initiatives, such as supply chain interoperability, which will be driven by the proliferation of high quality business processes supported by robust solution provider offerings.

"The UCC and RosettaNet are ideally positioned to take B2B integration to the next level," said Colin Evans, Chair of RosettaNet's Executive Board and Director of Distributed Systems at Intel Research and Development. "Both organizations have a stellar track record of providing business and technical leadership and together they represent a huge opportunity for supply chain integration, lower costs and sharing of technology and solutions."

The merger is consistent with the UCC's long-term strategy that defines the high technology industry as a prime sector to continue expanding the usage of UCC's standards into additional markets. "Our organization's XML-based business processes are complementary to RosettaNet standards," said Barry Beracha, Chairman of the UCC Board of Governors and Chief Executive Officer of the Sara Lee Bakery Group. "The merger will allow us to leverage our strengths and expertise of product identification into the high technology sector, as well as other adjacent supply chains."

"The alignment of UCC and RosettaNet is indicative of a maturation in standards development organizations working together to facilitate the ease and speed of standards implementation for the broadest set of industry "user" communities," said Hollis Bischoff, Vice President, eBusiness Strategies at META Group, Inc. "The UCC and RosettaNet are addressing the market demand for streamlined standards initiatives that reduce confusion and quickly respond to industry needs."

The Uniform Code Council, Inc., a not-for-profit standards organization, is one of the most respected leaders in global commerce. The UCC administers the Universal Product Code (U.P.C.) and provides a full range of integrated standards and business solutions for over 260,000 member companies doing business in 23 major industries. The UCC's commitment to leadership, innovation, and technology support has enabled companies to utilize open and global standards to optimize their supply chain and business processes.

RosettaNet is an independent, non-profit consortium dedicated to the collaborative development and rapid deployment of open Internet-based business standards that align processes within the global high-technology trading network. More than 450 companies worldwide, representing over $1 trillion in annual information technology, electronic components and semiconductor manufacturing revenues currently participate in RosettaNet's standards development, strategy and implementation activities.