FEDA Extends Public Review Deadline for Draft Industry Standards

FEDA is extending the public review period for its draft Shipping, Packaging, and Handling Standard (SPHS) and Product Data Standard (PDSI), giving manufacturers, distributors, and other industry professionals additional time to review the documents and provide feedback before they are finalized.

Developed through FEDA’s Future of Distribution Council (FDC), the two standards address distinct challenges that affect how businesses across the foodservice equipment and supplies industry operate. Both are intended to provide real-world, industry-informed guidance, and feedback from the people who work directly with these processes can help ensure the recommendations are clear, relevant, and workable.

Two Standards, Two Areas of Focus

Shipping, Packaging, and Handling Standard (SPHS)

The SPHS addresses practices that can help prevent freight damage during less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping. As equipment moves through multiple handling points between manufacturers, distributors, and customers, packaging, handling, and shipping practices can affect the condition in which products arrive.

The draft standard provides guidance to help businesses evaluate these practices and identify opportunities to better protect equipment during transit. Employees involved in warehouse operations, packaging, shipping, inventory control, and supply chain management can offer valuable perspectives on whether the recommendations reflect real-world conditions.

Product Data Standard (PDSI)

The Product Data Standard focuses on the creation, management, maintenance, and exchange of product information. Manufacturers and distributors rely on accurate, consistent product data to support activities such as purchasing, quoting, e-commerce, and order management. Inconsistent product descriptions, incomplete specifications, and differences in how information is maintained or exchanged across systems can create challenges for businesses and their customers. The draft standard provides guidance to improve product data quality, consistency, completeness, and accessibility across the industry.

Employees responsible for product management, data management, technology, e-commerce, purchasing, and related functions can help assess whether the guidance reflects how product information is used and maintained in practice.

Industry Feedback Can Strengthen Both Standards

The public review period gives industry professionals an opportunity to identify unclear language, highlight gaps, raise implementation concerns, and suggest improvements before the standards are finalized.

FEDA members and other industry professionals are encouraged to share the drafts with colleagues whose responsibilities align with each standard. Reviewers do not need to be standards experts or review both documents; they can focus on the sections most relevant to their experience.

The extended public review period closes Dec. 14, 2026.

Review the draft standards and submit comments using the corresponding forms below. Completed forms should be emailed to FEDA Director of Industry Programs and Professional Development Ashley Mueller at ashley@feda.com.