External Code Lists

The ISO 20022 messages use external code lists which are validated and approved by the SEGs.

The listed codes can be used in specific elements of the messages as indicated in the documents below. Unlike other ISO 20022 code lists, the codes are not included in the XML message schema with the message element they type. The purpose of externalising these codes is to be able to update the code lists (for example, add new codes) without impacting the message themselves and, hence, without requiring the development of a new version of the messages that use these code lists.

The code lists are published in two sets of documents:

• 25 external code lists are published in a spreadsheet which is versioned at three levels: the spreadsheet itself has a publication date, each code list within the spreadsheet has a publication date and each individual code has a date of last update ('status date').

Download the External Code Lists spreadsheet - dated 9 February 2012

• 3 code lists which are combined to form the 'Bank Transaction Code' are described separately:

Download the Bank Transaction Code lists description - dated 16 June 2009

Download the possible Bank Transaction Code combinations - dated 24 June 2009

Requests for updates to External Code lists (addition of a new code value, clarification of an existing definition, deactivation ofan existing code value) must be submitted to the ISO 20022 RA, using the "Change Request for update of an External Code list" template.

Change requests received by end of March, end of June, end of September and end of December are evaluated on a quarterly basis and approved updates are published respectively by end of May, end of August,end of November and end of February.