The United Nations (UN) develops the global standards for the simplification and automation of trade documents.

A proof of concept, United Nations electronic trade documents (UNeDocs), has been implemented for important international trade documents using InfoPath technology. UNeDocs can be used both in paper and electronic format, providing a migration path from paper to electronic business by combining trade standards with the latest XML technologies.

This implementation demonstrates that digital documents

• enable traders to use international trade standards and best practices in their documentary procedures
• provide a simple and low cost paperless solution
• increase the efficiency and security of international trade
• fully integrate into Internet technologies and Web services

The UN has set up a working group to further develop UNeDocs as the next global standard for international trade documents.