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| Decision field | Open accessEU VIES VAT Number ValidationEuropean UnionRemove | Open accessYarnSubGlobalRemove | Open accessKnitting Stitch LibraryGlobalRemove |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decision fit | |||
| Primary job | Check standards | Choose materials | Learn techniques |
| Area | Standards | Yarn | Techniques & repair |
| Best for | Checking an EU supplier's stated VAT number and saving the dated validation response as one identity and invoicing control | Replacing a discontinued or unavailable yarn | Learning or comparing knit structures |
| Know before using | A valid VAT number is not proof of manufacturing capability, facility ownership, authorized bank instructions, product origin, tax advice, quality, capacity, certification, labor conditions, or delivery; names and addresses may not be returned for every country, and temporary database outages occur. | A suggested match is a data-based shortlist, not proof that the yarn suits the pattern or maker. Yarn records can be incomplete or wrong, prices and availability vary by market, and the site uses affiliate links. Confirm the required gauge, total length, fibre behavior, construction, care, color, dye lot, accessibility, and seller terms, then make and assess a representative swatch before committing. | A foundational library, not yet an exhaustive stitch encyclopedia. |
| Practical access | |||
| For | Apparel brands | Makers | Makers |
| Location or jurisdiction | European Union | Global | Global |
| Access | Open access | Open access | Open access |
| Format | Reference | Reference | Stitch Authority |
| Source type | Official registry | First-party platform | Stitch Authority |
| Source and review | |||
| What the source establishes | VIES is the European Commission's online VAT Information Exchange System interface for querying national VAT databases to determine whether a submitted number is valid for intra-EU cross-border trade at the time of the request. | YarnSub's official FAQ says its matching software compares gauge, texture, yarn weight and density, fibre content, and fibre qualities such as drape and softness. Discontinued yarns remain searchable as starting points but are excluded from suggested replacements, and each yarn page provides a route to report source-data problems. | The linked tool or guide is maintained inside Stitch Authority and was checked against its current public interface. |
| Linked page reviewed | Jul 15, 2026 | Jul 21, 2026 | Jul 15, 2026 |
| Next review due | Oct 13, 2026 | Jan 17, 2027 | Jul 15, 2027 |
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