How To Fix WRF_PCM086 - Catalog &, item &, valid from &; several material numbers exist for EAN

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: WRF_PCM - Price Catalog Inbound

• Message number: 086

• Message text: Catalog &, item &, valid from &; several material numbers exist for EAN

What causes this issue?

During the processing of catalog items, the system uses the item
number (EAN) to check whether a material number already exists for this
item at material master level. If the system does not find a material
number for the EAN, it creates the new item accordingly. If it
determines a single material number for the EAN, it assigns this
material number to the item to be processed within the update process.
It does not create this as a new item, because it already exists at
material master data. The item is posted as a change.

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

If the sysetm determines several material numbers for one item (EAN),
processing is terminated, because a unique material number could not be
determined for the EAN.

System Response

The system terminates processing for the relevant PRICAT item and enters
an error message in the application log.

How to fix this error?

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message WRF_PCM086 - Catalog &, item &, valid from &; several material numbers exist for EAN ?

  The SAP error message WRF_PCM086 indicates that there are multiple material numbers associated with a single European Article Number (EAN) in the system. This situation can arise in various scenarios, particularly in the context of product master data management, where EANs are used to uniquely identify products.
  Cause:
  
  Duplicate EANs: The primary cause of this error is that multiple materials (products) have been assigned the same EAN. This can happen due to data entry errors, incorrect data migration, or lack of proper data governance.
  Data Maintenance Issues: Inconsistent data maintenance practices can lead to the same EAN being assigned to different materials over time.
  Master Data Management: Poorly managed master data can result in duplicates, especially if multiple users or systems are involved in creating or updating material records.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the WRF_PCM086 error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Identify Duplicate EANs:
  
  Use transaction codes like SE16 or SE11 to query the relevant database tables (e.g., MARA, MAST, or EAN-related tables) to find all materials associated with the problematic EAN.
  You can also use reports or custom queries to identify duplicates.
  
  
  
  Review Material Master Data:
  
  Check the material master records for the materials associated with the duplicate EANs.
  Determine which material should retain the EAN and which ones should be updated or removed.
  
  
  
  Correct the Data:
  
  If one material is the correct one, you may need to update the other materials to either assign them a new EAN or remove the EAN altogether.
  Ensure that the changes are consistent across all relevant systems and processes.
  
  
  
  Implement Data Governance:
  
  Establish data governance practices to prevent future occurrences of duplicate EANs. This may include:
  
  Regular audits of material master data.
  Training for users on data entry standards.
  Implementing checks and validations in the data entry process.
  
  
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation:
  
  Review SAP documentation or consult with your SAP support team for any specific guidelines or tools that can help manage EANs and material numbers effectively.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as MM03 (Display Material), MM02 (Change Material), and MM01 (Create Material) for managing material master data.
  Master Data Management Tools: Consider using SAP Master Data Governance (MDG) if your organization has it implemented, as it provides tools for managing and maintaining master data effectively.
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to EAN handling and material master data management.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the WRF_PCM086 error and ensure that your material master data is accurate and compliant with EAN standards.