Categorization of the Ehlers‐Danlos syndromes began in the late 1960s and was formalized in the Berlin nosology. Over time, it became apparent that the diagnostic criteria established and published in 1988 did not discriminate adequately between the different types of Ehlers‐Danlos syndromes or between Ehlers‐Danlos syndromes and other phenotypically related conditions. In addition, elucidation of the molecular basis of several Ehlers‐Danlos syndromes has added a new dimension to the characterization of this group of disorders. We propose a revision of the classification of the Ehlers‐Danlos syndromes based primarily on the cause of each type. Major and minor diagnostic criteria have been defined for each type and complemented whenever possible with laboratory findings. This simplified classification will facilitate an accurate diagnosis of the Ehlers‐Danlos syndromes and contribute to the delineation of phenotypically related disorders. Am. J. Med. Genet. 77:31–37, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.