DUNS Number

Data Universal Numbering System

DUNS or D-U-N-S which is an abbreviation of Data Universal Numbering System, is a system created and developed by the company Dun and Bradstreet which gives a unique identification number which is commonly know as a DUNS number to businesses.

It was first used in 1963 to support the Dun & Bradstreet credit reporting practices and is now a common standard across the globe. Users of the DUNS system include the United States Government, the United Nations and finally the European Commission. Over 50 trade, industry and global associations recommend, recognise or require businesses to have a DUNS number. The DUNS database has over one hundred million DUNS numbers for businesses across the globe.