# Classifications

Here you can find an overview of Classification functionality, along with its features and benefits.

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* Looking for code tutorials? Check out the [Classification Tutorial](https://app.gitbook.com/s/d4POTWomuSS7d3dnh4Dg/api-guides/catalogs-and-categories/category-tree/classification) in the Emporix API Reference.
* Looking for API reference? Check out the [Category Service](https://app.gitbook.com/s/d4POTWomuSS7d3dnh4Dg/api-guides/catalogs-and-categories/category-tree) in the Emporix API Reference.
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## Purpose

In B2B commerce, classification is essential for organizing and managing products with consistent attributes across your catalog. Classification categories allow you to define reusable attribute schemas that are automatically inherited by products assigned to those categories, reducing manual work and ensuring consistency.

By leveraging classification categories, you can improve data quality and simplify product management in your B2B commerce platform.

## Features

The Emporix classification for catalogs and products comes with a set of features:

| Feature                               | Description                                                                                                                                                      |
| ------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Product attribute standardization** | Define consistent schemas for products within specific categories. Create better product data for integration with external systems, marketplaces, and partners. |
| **Enhanced search and filtering**     | Enable better product discovery by allowing customers to filter products based on standardized classification attributes.                                        |
| **Complex product hierarchy support** | Handle products that belong to multiple categories with different attribute requirements.                                                                        |
| **Category-specific workflows**       | Apply different business rules and validations based on product classifications.                                                                                 |
| **Automatic mixin application**       | Automatically apply classification mixins to products based on category assignment.                                                                              |
| **Emporix and custom mixin schemas**  | You can use Emporix mixins or your own mixin schemas.                                                                                                            |
| **Required attribute validation**     | Validate that products have required classification attributes, maintaining data quality.                                                                        |
| **Mixin inheritance**                 | Inherit classification mixins through category hierarchies, simplifying product management.                                                                      |
| **Automatic schema URL population**   | Automatically populate schema URLs in product updates.                                                                                                           |

## How classification works

Categories can be one of two types:

* **STANDARD**: Default type, a regular category without classification mixins
* **CLASSIFICATION**: Category that can define classification mixins for product classification

Classification categories are special categories that define **classification mixins** — reusable schemas that specify what attributes products inside a category should have. Unlike standard categories, classification categories can define their own classification mixins and inherit mixins from parent classification categories.

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To find out more about managing classifications in the Management Dashboard, see [Classifications](https://developer.emporix.io/ce/management-dashboard/catalogs-module/classifications).
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