Codified information is an integral part of data exchange in international business whether this is on paper documents or electronic data exchange. The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), through its UN Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT) develops, maintains and publishes for free of charge a number of code lists used extensively in business transactions. The following is the list of Code List Recommendations. There are also a number of code lists maintained and published through the UN/EDIFACT standard.
Recommendation 3 which is known as the “ISO ALPHA 2 Country Code,” it is intended for use in representing the names of countries, dependencies, and other areas of special geopolitical interest for purposes of international trade whenever there is a need for a coded alphabetical designation. This code is maintained by ISO. Access ISO Online Browsing Platform (periodic updates by ISO).