What is PI Standard

The PI Standard (short for Product Information Standard) is a data format designed to make it easier for suppliers and retailers to exchange structured product information.

It sets clear rules for how product data should be organized, formatted, and shared, so everyone speaks the same “language.” It’s mostly used in the European home appliance industry.

A brief history

The PI Standard came out of the European appliance world in the 2010s, when brands realized they needed a better way to share product information with retailers. It was developed under the PI-certified initiative, led by APPLiA, an association representing major appliance manufacturers in Europe.

At the time, ecommerce was taking off, and retailers needed accurate, consistent product data to populate their websites. But, without a standard format, every company formatted its data differently. The PI Standard stepped in to solve that with clear structure, defined attributes, and support for everything from product specs to energy labels to digital assets.

It’s still widely used across Europe today (especially in the home appliance sector) and regularly updated to keep up with new industry needs.

Good to know

The PI Standard isn’t a tool you install. It’s a set of formatting rules (think: a guideline or schema) that tells you how to organize product information for retailers. It’s not mandatory, but many big-name retailers expect you to use it if you’re in this space.

Know more

Frequently Asked Questions

Who created the PI Standard?
The PI Standard was developed by appliance manufacturers in Europe, coordinated by APPLiA as part of the PI-certified initiative. The goal was to make product data sharing easier between brands and retailers.
Is the PI Standard required?
No, the PI Standard is not required. But if you’re selling appliances in Europe, many retailers expect you to use it (or at least something compatible), so it's a smart move to adopt it.
Is there a file I can download to see the PI Standard format?
Yes! The full PI Standard specification is available online at picertified.com. You can find sample files, guidelines, and documentation there.
Can I use the PI Standard if I’m outside of Europe?
You can use the PI Standard outside of Europe, but it’s mostly recognized and expected by European retailers. Other regions and industries tend to use different standards (like BMEcat, PIES, or custom JSON/XML feeds).