The DUNS number identifies each business entity with a sequence of nine digits assigned by Dun & Bradstreet. Unlike the French SIREN, this number has no legal administrative value: it is a private identifier with international reach. For companies that engage with partners outside of France, the question is not so much what it is, but rather how it compares to the national identifiers already in place.
DUNS Code vs. SIREN and UEI: Comparative Table of Identifiers
| Criterion | DUNS (Dun & Bradstreet) | SIREN (INSEE) | UEI (SAM.gov) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nature | Private identifier | Administrative identifier | U.S. federal identifier |
| Geographic scope | Global | France only | U.S. federal markets |
| Issuing organization | Dun & Bradstreet | INSEE | General Services Administration |
| Legal obligation | No | Yes (in France) | Yes (for U.S. federal markets since April 4, 2022) |
| Number of digits | 9 | 9 | 12 |
| Cost of obtaining | Free (basic request) | Automatic upon registration | Free via SAM.gov |
| Link to commercial credit | Yes (D&B scoring) | No | No |
This table highlights a central point: the DUNS is the only one of these three identifiers linked to a commercial credit scoring. The SIREN remains necessary for any process in France, but it does not circulate in the databases used by international buyers. The UEI, as of April 4, 2022, has replaced the DUNS for U.S. federal markets, according to the General Services Administration.
To delve deeper into the mechanics of this identifier, you can consult the DUNS code of the company on Place des Industries, which details the conditions for assignment and sectoral uses.
D&B Scoring and Supplier Referencing: What the DUNS Changes in Practice
A DUNS number is not only used to appear in a global directory. It feeds the D&B profile of the company, which aggregates financial data, payment histories, and information about the group structure. Large companies and purchasing platforms use this profile to pre-qualify their suppliers.
In practice, not having a DUNS means being invisible in these referencing circuits. Several multinationals condition the opening of a supplier account on the provision of this number.
Aggregated Data in the D&B Profile
- Basic legal information: company name, headquarters address, legal form, national identifier (SIREN in France)
- Financial data: reported revenue, workforce, company age
- Payment history: average payment terms, potential incidents, solvency score
- Group structure: capital links, subsidiaries, parent company
The resulting scoring (often referred to as Paydex in the D&B ecosystem) directly impacts inter-company credit terms. An incomplete or outdated D&B profile can degrade the score without the company being informed.
Reliability of D&B Data: An Underestimated Point of Vigilance
The quality of the D&B profile depends on the freshness of the collected data. This information comes from public registers, voluntary declarations, and third-party sources. The gap between the operational reality of a company and what is recorded in the database can be significant.
After a merger, a change of company name, or an internal reorganization, the D&B profile does not update automatically. The company must report the changes itself to Dun & Bradstreet or its local partner (Altares in France).
Situations That Create a Gap in the Profile
- Unreported change of management or capital structure
- Change in activity (new NAF code) not reflected
- Workforce changes after rapid growth or a social plan
- Mergers and acquisitions creating new subsidiaries
Checking your D&B profile at least once a year helps prevent a degraded scoring from blocking access to a tender or tightening the payment terms imposed by a client.
DUNS and International Public Markets: The Transition to UEI
Until 2022, the DUNS was the required identifier for registering on SAM.gov and responding to U.S. federal markets. Since April 4, 2022, the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) has replaced the DUNS in this scope. The UEI is assigned directly by SAM.gov, without going through Dun & Bradstreet.
This transition has reduced the near-obligatory nature of the DUNS for companies targeting U.S. federal contracts. However, the DUNS retains its usefulness in the private sector, where it remains the de facto standard for commercial credit and supplier referencing with large groups.
For a French company that works exclusively with European clients and has no ties to Anglo-Saxon clients, the DUNS does not provide immediate value. Conversely, any company integrated into an international supply chain has an interest in maintaining an active D&B profile.
The key takeaway remains this: the DUNS is a tool for commercial trust, not a regulatory document. Its value entirely depends on the quality of the information attached to it, and this quality relies on the company itself.
