🏷️DUNS Number

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Also known as: DUNS, Data Universal Numbering System

A proprietary, nine-digit identifier from Dun & Bradstreet used to uniquely identify business entities worldwide.

DESCRIPTION

The D-U-N-S Number uniquely identifies organizations for purposes like vendor onboarding, credit risk, compliance, and master data management. Maintained by Dun & Bradstreet, it supports corporate hierarchy data and is widely referenced in procurement and supply chain systems. While the U.S. federal government transitioned to the UEI for awards, D-U-N-S remains prevalent across industries, regulators, and global markets. It commonly anchors entity resolution, golden record creation, and cross-system mapping.

ALTERNATIVE DEFINITIONS

Wikipedia

The Data Universal Numbering System, abbreviated as D‑U‑N‑S or DUNS, is a proprietary system developed and regulated by Dun & Bradstreet that assigns a unique numeric identifier, known as a D‑U‑N‑S number, to a single business entity.

Emphasizes proprietary nature and unique assignment to a single business entity.

Source

Dun & Bradstreet

The Dun & Bradstreet D‑U‑N‑S Number is a unique nine-digit identifier for businesses.

Highlights the nine-digit structure and business focus from the issuer.

Source

U.S. General Services Administration

A DUNS Number is a unique nine-character number used to identify your organization.

Clarifies historic use in U.S. federal systems prior to UEI transition.

Source

RELATED TERMS

Ultimate DUNS Number Company Registration Number Business Identifier Code Master Data Management Supplier Onboarding Know Your Business Corporate Hierarchy Reference Data

COMPETING TERMS

Legal Entity Identifier UEI (SAM)

RELATIONS

• Implemented by: Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Company Directory

KNOWLEDGE AREAS

Reference & Master Data Data Management Data Governance Data Integration & Interoperability Data Architecture Data Privacy & Compliance

TARGET AUDIENCE

Data Steward Data Governance Manager Data Architect Data Modeler Information Analyst Chief Data Officer Data Management Consultant

EXTERNAL SOURCES

• Wikipedia - Data Universal Numbering System
• Dun & Bradstreet - Official explanation of D‑U‑N‑S.
• U.S. GSA - UEI transition and D‑U‑N‑S context.
• U.S. FDA - Use of D‑U‑N‑S in FDA processes.
• ISO - Context for business identifiers.

TOP QUESTIONS

Why is the DUNS Number still relevant?

It remains widely used across procurement, credit risk, supply chain, and global markets, and often anchors corporate hierarchy and MDM processes.

Category: Relevancy

How does DUNS differ from LEI?

DUNS is proprietary, administered by D&B, and widely used commercially; LEI is an open, regulated identifier focused on financial market participants.

Category: Comparison

What replaced DUNS in U.S. federal awards?

The Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) replaced DUNS in SAM for federal awards, though DUNS persists elsewhere.

Category: Regulation

How is DUNS used in Master Data Management?

It serves as a stable match key for deduplication, vendor onboarding, external enrichment, and mapping corporate hierarchies.

Category: MDM

Can a company have multiple DUNS Numbers?

Yes, separate legal entities or locations can have unique DUNS Numbers, tied together via corporate hierarchy relationships.

Category: Concept

What is a common mistake with DUNS Numbers?

Treating DUNS as a permanent truth; entities merge, split, and relocate, requiring ongoing validation and updates.

Category: Mistakes

How do I validate a DUNS Number?

Use D&B services or partner APIs to verify the number, legal name, address, and current status.

Category: Validation

What metadata accompanies a DUNS Number?

Common attributes include legal name, address, status, industry codes, and hierarchy links such as parent and global ultimate.

Category: Metadata

What are typical competitors to DUNS?

LEI and UEI are common alternatives, alongside local registry identifiers used in specific jurisdictions.

Category: Alternatives