Validation rule: definition and role in PIM

In PIM practice, validation rules enforce conformity: data types, units, allowed values, ranges, formats, dependencies between attributes and GTIN check digits. Rules can run at entry, at import and before publication, and can differ per channel.

Illustrative example: one rule rejects any width value without a unit. Another warns when net weight exceeds gross weight, and a third blocks marketplace export when the GTIN check digit fails.

In a selection, buyers should bring their own rules to the demo. Points to test include cross-attribute rules, channel-specific rules, rules on imports and the clarity of error messages for users and suppliers. Strong validation reduces the need for later cleansing. Rules also need owners, because a rule that nobody maintains starts to block valid data as the range changes.