How To Fix ECM003 - R/3 engineering change management is active

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: ECM - General Messages for Engineering Change Management

• Message number: 003

• Message text: R/3 engineering change management is active

What causes this issue?

In this system, change management for SAP Master Data Management cannot
be used.
The software layer determines whether change management for SAP Master
Data Management or change management for SAP R/3 is active.
This <ZH>cannot</> be overridden by settings in Customizing.

System Response

The system issues an error message and will not allow you to continue with this transaction until the error is resolved.

How to fix this error?

Procedure for System Administrators

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message ECM003 - R/3 engineering change management is active ?

  The SAP error message ECM003 indicates that the Engineering Change Management (ECM) functionality is active in your SAP system, which may be causing issues with certain operations related to material management or production planning. This error typically arises when trying to perform actions on materials or BOMs (Bill of Materials) that are subject to engineering change management processes.
  Cause:
  The ECM003 error usually occurs due to one of the following reasons:
  
  Engineering Change Management is Active: The system is configured to use ECM, which means that any changes to materials or BOMs must go through the ECM process.
  Inconsistent Data: There may be inconsistencies in the data related to the engineering change numbers or the status of the changes.
  Authorization Issues: The user may not have the necessary authorizations to perform the action due to the ECM settings.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the ECM003 error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Check ECM Status: Verify if the engineering change management is indeed active for the material or BOM you are trying to modify. You can do this by checking the material master or BOM settings.
  
  
  Use the Correct Change Number: Ensure that you are using the correct engineering change number when trying to make changes. If you are trying to create or modify a BOM, make sure that the change number is valid and active.
  
  
  Complete the Change Process: If you are trying to make changes to a material or BOM that is under an engineering change, you may need to complete the change process first. This could involve releasing the change number or completing any necessary approvals.
  
  
  Check Authorizations: Ensure that you have the necessary authorizations to perform the action. You may need to consult with your SAP security team to verify your access rights.
  
  
  Consult Documentation: Refer to the SAP documentation or help files related to Engineering Change Management for specific instructions on how to handle changes in your system.
  
  
  Contact Support: If the issue persists, consider reaching out to your SAP support team or consulting with an SAP expert who can provide more tailored assistance based on your specific configuration and requirements.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as CS01 (Create BOM), CS02 (Change BOM), and CS03 (Display BOM) to understand how they interact with ECM.
  Configuration Settings: Review the configuration settings for Engineering Change Management in the SAP IMG (Implementation Guide) under the relevant modules (e.g., Production Planning, Material Management).
  User Exits and BAdIs: If custom logic is implemented, check for any user exits or BAdIs that might affect the ECM process.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to address the ECM003 error and proceed with your operations in SAP.