The element <associate> is used to associate an external assertion (product attribute, product attribute value or condition as defined within a specific ACT data module) to one or several other ones. There are two types of association:The association is made between the external assertion as defined as the child of the product relationship (element <productDefinitionRelationship>) and the external assertion(s) as defined under the association (element <association>)Example:Product definition relationshipExternal assertion #1Associate Type = "Alias"External assertion #2means that External assertion #1 and #2 are linked by an "alias" association.