News Summary

ONIX (Online Information Exchange) is a standardized format used globally by the book industry to exchange essential information about books and related products. Developed initially by the Association of American Publishers and EDItEUR in 2000, ONIX facilitates computer-to-computer communication using an XML-based language. It is a crucial tool for tagging information such as ISBN, title, contributor, price, and availability, supporting book sales in the supply chain. ONIX data is widely used by major online retailers, wholesalers, and industry players like Bookmanager. In Canada, ONIX metadata is vital for publishers, appearing in platforms like CataList and BiblioShare. This standard is essential for effective marketing and communication with retailers, enabling the inclusion of detailed book information like availability, embargo dates, prices, and more. Despite its importance in the business-to-business arena, ONIX data is not directly available to consumers.