In today's fast-paced world, where digitalization and efficiency are paramount, the forestry and timber industry in Germany has taken a decisive step towards improving data exchange. The introduction of ELDAT as an industry standard is a major event that significantly improves the exchange of information in the round timber sector.
ELDAT covers around 80% of log-related data exchange and has therefore become an indispensable tool for the industry. It supports the full range of IT applications, from timber provision reports to invoicing. As a result, it not only simplifies organizational processes, but also increases the precision of the entire timber supply chain.
The continuous progress of technology requires regular adaptation of standards in order to meet current requirements. In this case, ELDAT has not only been adapted, but also extended in two specific versions: ELDATclassic and ELDATsmart. These two versions have been updated to meet the new information requirements of the EU regulation. Such adaptations are necessary to ensure that data standards keep pace with international environmental and trade regulations.
Of particular interest is the introduction of ELDATsmart version 1.0.4, which now enables the transmission of data on the carbon footprint of wood supply. This new functionality is a major step forward as it complies with the ISO 13391 standard and provides a clear way to measure the environmental footprint of wood production. Such a feature is not only relevant for environmental regulations, but it also provides companies themselves with a clear insight into their sustainable practices and potential areas for improvement.
At the same time, further progress was made in the data structures. For example, adjustments were made to ELDATsmart at the pile data level and to ELDATclassic in the wood lot header (HLK) area. These specific changes ensure that the data structures meet today's technical and regulatory requirements while increasing the efficiency and accuracy of data transmission.
Another significant step forward is the open source development of ELDATsmart on the developer platform GitHub. This decision opens the door for wider participation in the documentation and further development of the standard, which in turn facilitates access for new ideas and solutions. Developers from all over the world now have the opportunity to contribute their expertise and thus continuously improve the development of ELDAT.
The introduction and continuous development of ELDAT shows how the German forestry and timber industry is using digitalization to optimize its processes and at the same time respond to global environmental requirements. This is not only a step towards greater efficiency, but also a significant contribution to transparency and sustainability in the industry.
