In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore how GS1 standards ensure accurate product tracking throughout the entire supply chain journey. We’ll examine real-world applications where GS1 standards supply chain integration has delivered remarkable results—like Geisinger Health’s implementation that reduced product listing update times from 52 hours over six months to under an hour.
Furthermore, we’ll delve into the essential language of GS1 Application Identifiers, which powers modern barcodes, translating coded information into meaningful data for operational excellence. Whether you’re new to supply chain management or seeking to optimize your existing systems, this guide will equip you with the knowledge you need to effectively leverage GS1 traceability standards.
So if you’re ready to go “all in” with GS1 Standards, this guide is for you.
GS1 Standards have transformed the way businesses identify, capture, and share critical information across global supply chains. Used by over a million companies worldwide, these standards form the foundation for modern traceability solutions that keep goods flowing seamlessly from manufacturers to consumers.
GS1 operates as a neutral, not-for-profit organization that develops and maintains the most widely used supply chain standards system in the world. These standards provide a framework that enables businesses to identify, capture, and share information in consistent ways globally. At its core, GS1 creates a common language for business communication—essential when different organizations use varied processes and systems to exchange data.
The power of GS1 standards lies in their ability to streamline operations. When companies adopt these standards, they can:
In essence, GS1 standards function much like standardized measurements for time or distance—they provide a universal method for storing and transferring data that allows seamless information exchange. Without such standards, supply chains would face significant inefficiencies and communication barriers.
Today, over two million companies worldwide use GS1-compliant identification systems, with GS1 barcodes scanned more than 10 billion times daily around the globe. This scale demonstrates how deeply embedded these standards have become in global commerce.
The journey of GS1 standards began on April 3, 1973, when industry leaders in the U.S. grocery sector created the barcode—an innovation that would eventually revolutionize the global economy. The newly formed Uniform Code Council (UCC) became the administrator of the Universal Product Code (U.P.C) barcode.
A significant milestone occurred on June 26 of that year, when a pack of Wrigley’s gum became the first product ever scanned with a barcode in an Ohio supermarket. Subsequently, in 1977, the European Article Numbering Association (EAN) was established in Brussels, creating a barcode system fully compatible with the American U.P.C.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the standards evolved beyond simple barcodes. In 1983, GS1 published its first international standard for electronic data interchange (EDI), creating an efficient and secure method for trading partners to exchange information. By the turn of the millennium, GS1 had expanded to 90 countries.
A pivotal moment came in 2005 when UCC and EAN International formally merged to establish GS1, creating a truly global organization for maintaining and advancing identification standards. Since then, GS1 has continued to adapt to technological changes, introducing innovations like the GS1 DataBar for smaller items, the Electronic Product Code for RFID technology, and most recently, the GS1 Digital Link standard that leverages QR codes to connect physical products with digital information.
While GS1 standards underpin operations across numerous sectors, three industries particularly showcase their vital importance:
Retail: The retail sector represents the original home of GS1 standards, where the ubiquitous “beep” of barcodes is heard at store checkouts billions of times daily. These standards enable efficient “just in time” inventory systems, allowing retailers to track products throughout the supply chain while meeting changing consumer demands with minimal wastage and maximum cash flow. As retail has evolved to include e-commerce, GS1 standards have adapted to ensure products are as well-represented in the digital world as they are physically.
Healthcare: In healthcare, GS1 standards play a critical role in patient safety and operational efficiency. Since expanding into this sector, GS1 has helped healthcare organizations improve medication tracking, ensure optimal use of critical resources like MRI scanners, and comply with increasingly stringent regulatory requirements. The standards provide a global system for traceability from manufacturing through patient treatment, supporting cross-border trading with consistent product identification. Additionally, a 2022 survey found that 85% of pharmaceutical companies believe GS1 standards have improved their supply chain visibility and collaboration.
Logistics and Transport: For logistics providers, GS1 standards offer a framework for real-time tracking, traceability, and supply chain optimization. By leveraging GS1 identification keys and standards like the Electronic Product Code Information Services (EPCIS), companies can capture and share data on key events—shipping, receiving, and dispensing—in standardized formats that facilitate end-to-end visibility.
Across all these industries, GS1 standards remain foundational because they are open, technology-independent, and designed for global interoperability—principles that ensure businesses aren’t locked into proprietary solutions and can operate seamlessly across international borders.
Behind every efficient supply chain operation lies a set of standardized identification systems that form the backbone of modern commerce.
These core components of GS1 standards enable precise identification, tracking, and communication across global supply networks.
The Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) uniquely identifies trade items—products or services that are priced, ordered, or invoiced at any point in the supply chain. Essentially, GTINs serve as the master keys for physical and digital commerce success.
GTINs come in four main formats:
Each GTIN consists of distinct components, including an indicator digit (for GTIN-14 only), GS1 Company Prefix, Item Reference, and check digit. Notably, the GTIN provides a single product identifier that can be used across all systems—from purchasing to inventory management, logistics, analytics, and reporting.
Global Location Numbers do for locations what GTINs do for products. A GLN is a 13-digit number that uniquely identifies parties and locations in the supply chain, allowing companies to track products as they move through various points in distribution networks.
Using GLNs offers several advantages:
GLNs also support compliance with regulatory requirements, specifically helping healthcare organizations meet Drug Supply Chain Security Act mandates and food industry companies adhere to FSMA 204 regulations.
The Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC) functions as an 18-digit GS1 Identification Key used to identify logistic units. Unlike the GTIN, which identifies products, the SSCC acts as a “license plate” to track shipments through the supply chain.
The SSCC code contains:
Importantly, a trade item like a pallet can simultaneously be both a trade item AND a logistic unit, requiring both a GTIN and an SSCC. The SSCC is typically encoded in GS1-128 barcodes on logistics labels, facilitating tracking during transit and warehouse management.
The Electronic Product Code (EPC) provides syntax for unique identifiers assigned to physical objects and locations within business operations. EPCs have multiple representations, including binary forms for Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags and text forms for enterprise data sharing.
GS1 standards focus primarily on UHF and HF passive RFID tags, with UHF passive tags (known as RAIN RFID tags) being the most widely implemented. When unique EPCs are encoded onto individual RAIN RFID tags, radio waves can capture these identifiers at extremely high rates and distances exceeding 10 meters without requiring line-of-sight contact.
This capability significantly boosts supply chain visibility and inventory accuracy. Moreover, the EPC Tag Data Standard specifies data formats and provides encodings for various numbering schemes, including GS1 keys.
GS1 barcodes are symbols that can be electronically scanned to encode information such as product identifiers and attributes. These barcodes allow parties throughout the supply chain to automatically identify and track products.
The system utilizes several types of barcodes:
All these components form an integrated system described in the GS1 General Specifications—the core standards document detailing how GS1 barcodes and identification keys should be used. Together, they create a common language enabling businesses to identify, capture, and share information consistently worldwide.
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At the heart of effective supply chain operations lies the practical implementation of GS1 standards—where theoretical frameworks transform into real-world business solutions. Understanding how these standards function in day-to-day operations requires examining the three pillars that make global commerce possible.
GS1 identification standards enable organizations to uniquely assign GS1 Identification (ID) Keys to products, documents, physical locations, and more within their supply chains. These standards ensure products will always be correctly identified on a global scale, thereby minimizing confusion risks and enhancing supply chain transparency.
The GS1 system features 12 distinct ID keys, each serving specialized purposes:
Additional keys include the GSRN (service relationships), GDTI (documents), GINC (consignments), GSIN (shipments), GCN (coupons), CPID (components/parts), and GMN (product models). Together, these keys connect physical events with related information, creating a universal identification framework.
Once items are properly identified, businesses need methods to exchange this information. GS1 offers three primary approaches for electronic data sharing:
Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) bridges communication gaps between companies by enabling computer-to-computer exchange of standardized business documents. This technology allows a company’s system to generate and transmit purchase orders to suppliers and receive confirmations within minutes rather than days. Consequently, businesses achieve significant operational savings through improved processes in ordering, delivery, invoicing, payment, and inventory management.
Global Data Synchronization Network (GDSN) functions as the world’s largest product data network, allowing high-quality product content to be uploaded, maintained, and shared automatically. This ensures trading partners have immediate access to the most current information. The process follows five key steps: loading company data, registering it, subscription to sellers’ data pool, publishing company data, and confirmation receipt. Ultimately, product content in GDSN follows the GS1 Global Data Model standard, helping create seamless shopping experiences across every channel.
Electronic Product Code Information Services (EPCIS) enables trading partners to share information about the physical movement and status of products throughout the supply chain. EPCIS addresses the “what, where, when, and why” questions to meet consumer and regulatory demands for accurate product information. Indeed, companies worldwide use this standard to track everything from food origin and freshness to pharmaceutical safety.
The GS1 General Specifications serve as the core standards document describing how GS1 barcodes and identification keys should be used. Updated annually, the current version is 25.0 (published January 2025), with the next version planned for January 2026.
These specifications provide a common language, helping create seamless work processes that allow businesses to identify, capture, and share information consistently worldwide. Primarily, they enable consumers to follow food from farm to table, shoppers to access detailed product information via mobile devices, and companies to achieve greater supply chain visibility.
To maintain consistency across all GS1 documentation, the organization follows detailed style guidelines covering everything from spelling conventions (British English per Collins dictionary) to terminology usage, capitalization rules, and formatting standards. Henceforth, these guidelines ensure uniformity in communication across all GS1 materials.
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Implementing GS1 standards across complex supply chain systems presents both challenges and opportunities for organizations seeking to streamline operations. The practical application of these universal identifiers transforms theoretical benefits into tangible business value.
Modern warehouse operations increasingly rely on GS1 standards to manage the flow of products with precision and efficiency. When implemented correctly, these standards enable precise coordination of receiving, inventory management, storage, packing, and shipping processes.
The primary benefits of integrating GS1 standards into warehouse management systems include:
In practice, barcoding technology delivers its maximum value when fully integrated into warehouse management systems. Unilever demonstrated this by collaborating with DHL Supply Chain on a GS1 implementation across European warehouses, achieving such dramatic efficiency gains that the standards were subsequently rolled out across all their European facilities.
The seamless connection between Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and GS1 barcodes creates a foundation for data-driven decision-making. This integration enables businesses to automate the sharing of transactional information such as purchase orders and dispatch advice.
Before implementing GS1 barcode integration with your ERP, consider these essential factors:
First, verify your barcode provider offers proper ERP integration capability. Second, understand how barcoding and your ERP application will interact—discuss with your provider about seamless integration and data synchronization between systems. Third, research thoroughly to confirm your provider understands your industry and has experience with successful implementations.
Proper integration allows GS1 to synchronize master data (product and pricing information) with your ERP for sharing across all trading partners in your supply chain. Concerning this area, Commport B2B Network Solutions has been helping businesses optimize their supply chains through electronic commerce since 1985, making them a valuable partner for companies implementing GS1 standards.
Odoo, a versatile ERP platform, demonstrates effective GS1 integration by following nomenclature guidelines for 14-digit product barcodes with the final digit calculated using the GS1 check digit calculator. Such implementation helps streamline operations, improve traceability, and bolster efficiency across diverse industries.
The healthcare sector faces unique supply chain challenges where GS1 standards play a vital role in ensuring patient safety and regulatory compliance. In this industry, GS1 standards are open, technology-independent, and designed for full interoperability, allowing healthcare organizations to avoid being locked into proprietary solutions.
For pharmaceutical supply chains specifically, the Implementation Guideline for Applying GS1 System of Standards to Pharmaceutical Chain of Custody helps facilitate serialized data exchanges between manufacturers, repackagers, wholesalers and their various partners. This standardization of communication uses Electronic Product Code Information Service (EPCIS) to track chain of custody events.
To meet Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) requirements, healthcare suppliers can leverage GS1 standards for product identification serialization and item-level traceability. The standards offer multiple benefits for healthcare organizations:
Healthcare implementation resources include guidance documents for sharing vital attributes, applying standards to pharmaceutical chain of custody, and implementing Global Location Numbers in trace, chargeback, and rebate processes. Therefore, GS1 standards have become essential tools for modernizing healthcare supply chains while simultaneously improving patient safety, lowering costs, and increasing operational efficiencies.
Supply chains face unprecedented challenges in today's interconnected marketplace, making operational excellence a competitive necessity. GS1 standards provide powerful tools that enhance supply chain operations through improved visibility, accuracy, and security.
GS1 standards improve efficiency, safety, and visibility across physical and digital channels in 25 different sectors. The organization recognizes the critical need to enable cost-effective traceability for every product across all supply chains, responding to increasing consumer demands for transparency.
The GS1 Global Traceability Standard defines how industries should maintain complete tracking of all products from raw materials to finished goods and their movement throughout the supply chain. This standard, coupled with the GS1 Visibility Framework, allows organizations to focus less on obtaining information and more on utilizing it effectively.
Electronic Product Code Information Services (EPCIS) plays a vital role in this framework by enabling real-time information sharing. EPCIS allows supply chain partners to store and share physical event data—the what, when, where, and why of physical observations—regardless of the technology used to capture that information.
Inventory management begins with implementing unique identification methods for products, ensuring efficient tracking of current location, quantity, and future business needs. As a result, businesses can balance maintaining adequate supply while avoiding excessive inventory, thereby saving costs, reducing waste, and enhancing customer satisfaction.
RAIN RFID technology exemplifies advanced tracking capabilities, using radio waves to manage inventory in real time. It automatically transmits data to tag readers, creating accurate, unique, and actionable product identification. RFID tags attached to products or pallets communicate with readers throughout warehouses or stores, providing immediate visibility into inventory levels and product locations.
For warehouse staff, RFID technology simplifies locating products and identifying restocking needs while minimizing errors from manual inventory processes. This makes operations faster, easier, and more accurate, allowing businesses to focus on growth rather than administration.
A recent GS1 US survey reveals that while 85% of Americans believe food recalls effectively protect public health, 93% remain concerned about their frequency. The impact on consumer behavior is substantial—60% have avoided entire food categories following recalls, and 59% hesitate to purchase the same product or brand again.
The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Rule 204 addresses these concerns with stricter recordkeeping requirements for foods most often implicated in recalls. This regulation requires that full traceability data be available to the FDA within 24 hours, enabling quicker action to protect consumers.
GS1’s online recall notification service reduces critical communication time to less than one hour, minimizing risks to businesses and consumer safety. This rapid response capability is crucial considering that 57% of adults discard recalled food even when their region wasn’t affected.
According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, counterfeit goods sold annually amount to approximately $1.70-4.50 trillion—equivalent to the world’s tenth largest economy. These fake products raise serious public health concerns, from phone chargers causing fires to imitation cosmetics triggering allergic reactions.
GS1’s global standards for identification form the foundation for anti-counterfeit protocols and brand protection strategies. They enable unique object identification that works with multiple authentication systems and tools. For example, luxury brands now use RFID and QR code programs that promote product authentication through traceability to prevent shoppers from purchasing knockoffs.
Brands can add a layer of protection by assigning unique Global Trade Item Numbers (GTINs) to every product, making these a prerequisite for marketplace listing. Once products are uniquely identified and verifiable in the GS1 Database, sharing accurate product data becomes critical for retailers to ensure brand legitimacy.
Empower your business with global data synchronization; download our GDSN Buyer's Guide today and take the first step towards streamlined, accurate, and compliant product data management.
The digital revolution in barcoding is reshaping supply chain visibility through powerful two-dimensional codes. By 2027, retailers worldwide will transition from traditional UPC barcodes to 2D formats powered by GS1 standards.
QR codes powered by GS1 standards fundamentally outperform their linear predecessors. Whereas traditional UPC barcodes are one-dimensional and store limited information (typically 12 characters), QR codes can hold up to 7,098 numeric or 4,269 alphanumeric characters. Besides capacity advantages, QR codes offer omnidirectional scanning—readable from any orientation without precise alignment. This enhanced capability allows a single QR code to simultaneously serve checkout scanning, consumer engagement, and supply chain tracking functions.
Traditional linear barcodes require laser scanners aligned at close range, yet QR codes work with standard smartphone cameras and commercial scanners from greater distances. Additionally, both QR and GS1 DataMatrix codes incorporate error correction algorithms, making them readable even when partially damaged.
Several online platforms offer GS1-compliant QR code generation tools. These generators typically allow businesses to encode GS1 Digital Link standard formats with minimal technical knowledge.
For over 40+ years, Commport has earned the trust of over 6000+ brands worldwide, solving B2B integration problems for our clients. Their experience in electronic commerce since 1985 makes them valuable partners for organizations implementing GS1 standards in their digital transformation journey.
Major brands are already implementing GS1 Digital Link technology.
PepsiCo pioneered GS1 Digital Link implementation on its Starry soda packaging, demonstrating real-world applications of 2D barcodes.
Similar initiatives by Procter & Gamble showcase how smart packaging can simultaneously improve supply chain visibility while engaging consumers.
This innovation responds to consumer demands—79% of shoppers are more likely to purchase products with scannable codes that deliver deeper product insights.
As online shopping grows exponentially, consistent product imagery becomes increasingly vital across supply chains. GS1 product image standards provide manufacturers, retailers, and service providers a unified approach to sharing, managing, and using product images. These standards address emerging challenges in image formats, computer-generated or enhanced images, regulations, and usage rights.
Quick reference guides developed by GS1 cover both primary and secondary product images, offering standardized approaches for image providers throughout the supply chain.
Future-ready organizations are increasingly turning to advanced GS1 technologies that extend beyond basic barcode applications. These evolving standards offer enhanced data-sharing capabilities and integration paths that prepare businesses for supply chain digitalization challenges ahead.
The GS1 Global Data Synchronization Network operates as the world’s largest product data network, enabling high-quality product content to be uploaded, maintained, and shared automatically between trading partners. This system ensures immediate access to current and complete information through a five-step process: loading company data, registering it, subscription to the sellers’ data pool, publishing data, and confirmation receipt. Currently, there are 44 GDSN-certified data pools offering storage and synchronization. Ultimately, GDSN-shared product content follows the GS1 Global Data Model, which defines a globally consistent set of foundational product attributes that streamlines shopping experiences across every channel.
Jointly launched by the Consumer Goods Forum’s Product Data Coalition and GS1, these initiatives aim to ensure products are represented as accurately in the digital world as they are physically. The program encompasses three strategic elements: GTIN ubiquity (uniquely identifying all products with a GS1 GTIN), Verified by GS1 (creating a verifiable “ID card” for every product), and the Global Data Model (sharing foundational product information). This quick-start program breaks down participation into ten implementable steps, from understanding data requirements to rolling out with business partners.
By 2027, standard barcodes will evolve to GS1 Digital Link-enabled QR codes, opening new opportunities for traceability and consumer engagement. Initially, large organizations typically need 18-36 months to prepare for this transition, including updating packaging and processes. Throughout this evolution, GS1 standards help ensure all parties share data consistently, enhancing interoperability across digital commerce systems. Primary enabling technologies include blockchain applications using GS1 Standards for supply chain visibility, verifiable credentials, computer vision, robotics, and automation.
Even perfect GS1 standards require careful implementation to deliver their full benefits. Success depends on mastering several critical compliance areas that often challenge organizations.
HRI text must appear alongside GS1 barcodes except in extreme space constraints. The GS1 General Specifications mandate that Application Identifiers be placed in parentheses in HRI text, though these parentheses aren’t encoded in the actual barcode. For EAN/UPC symbologies, human readable digits must appear beneath the main symbol and above any add-on symbol. Other symbologies allow HRI placement below, above, or beside the barcode, provided it maintains legibility. Generally, a clearly legible font like OCR-B should be used, though reasonable alternatives are acceptable if interpretation remains clearly legible.
Healthcare implementations have stringent requirements primarily due to patient safety concerns. The standards provide a common framework for tracking medical products at every packaging level. Fresh food applications typically utilize GS1 DataBar to encode weight, price, and expiration dates. Overall, sector-specific implementations balance global standardization with industry-unique requirements to ensure compliance with regulations like the FDA UDI Rule.
Common barcode implementation errors include:
Despite challenges, effective implementation undeniably delivers significant operational benefits through standardized identification and communication across the supply chain.
GS1 standards have fundamentally transformed global supply chains through their unified approach to product identification and data sharing. Throughout this guide, we’ve explored how these universal standards serve as the common language enabling seamless communication between trading partners worldwide. Additionally, we’ve seen how the structured identification system—from GTINs and GLNs to SSCCs and RFID integration—creates an ecosystem where products can be tracked with unprecedented precision.
The practical applications of GS1 standards deliver measurable benefits across industries. Retail operations gain efficiency through automated checkout systems. Healthcare organizations enhance patient safety with accurate product tracking. Logistics providers achieve end-to-end visibility of shipments. Furthermore, these standards unlock powerful capabilities like improved inventory accuracy, accelerated product recalls, and robust counterfeit prevention.
Companies embracing GS1 standards must nevertheless navigate implementation challenges carefully. Poor barcode quality, improper placement, or duplicate identifiers can undermine even the most sophisticated systems. Therefore, organizations should follow sector-specific guidelines while avoiding common pitfalls that might compromise compliance.
Looking ahead, GS1 standards continue evolving beyond traditional barcodes toward digital-first solutions. The transition to GS1 Digital Link-enabled QR codes by 2027 represents a significant milestone in this journey. Subsequently, innovations like the Global Data Synchronization Network and Verified by GS1 initiative will further enhance product data quality across physical and digital channels.
Though often overlooked, these universal standards remain the invisible infrastructure powering global commerce. Their consistent application ensures products move efficiently from manufacturer to consumer while maintaining essential information integrity. Companies that master GS1 implementation gain competitive advantages through streamlined operations, improved traceability, and enhanced consumer trust—essential elements for supply chain success in today’s interconnected marketplace.
GS1 standards are a globally recognized system for uniquely identifying and tracking products, locations, and shipments across supply chains. They are important because they enable seamless communication between trading partners, improve inventory accuracy, enhance traceability, and support regulatory compliance across industries like retail, healthcare, and logistics.
GS1 barcodes, particularly 2D formats like QR codes, can store significantly more information than traditional linear barcodes. They can be scanned from any angle, work with smartphone cameras, and simultaneously serve multiple functions like checkout scanning, consumer engagement, and supply chain tracking.
The GTIN is a unique identifier for trade items (products or services) that can be priced, ordered, or invoiced at any point in the supply chain. It comes in different formats (8, 12, 13, or 14 digits) and is used globally to ensure accurate product identification across various systems, from purchasing to inventory management and analytics.
GS1 standards enable end-to-end visibility of products throughout the supply chain. By using unique identifiers and standardized data sharing protocols, companies can quickly trace products from origin to destination. This capability allows for faster and more targeted product recalls, reducing response times to under one hour and minimizing risks to businesses and consumer safety.
By 2027, there will be a transition from traditional UPC barcodes to GS1 Digital Link-enabled QR codes. This shift will enhance traceability and consumer engagement capabilities. Additionally, initiatives like the Global Data Synchronization Network (GDSN) and Verified by GS1 are evolving to improve product data quality and accuracy across digital commerce platforms.
