Introduction
GS1 Application Identifiers serve as the essential language of modern barcodes, translating coded information into meaningful data for supply chain operations. These identifiers consist of two, three, or four-digit prefixes that define both the meaning and format of the data that follows them. Essentially, they give context to what would otherwise be just a string of numbers in a barcode.
In our comprehensive guide, we’ll explore how these identifiers function across various applications. For example, GS1 Application Identifiers have been established for tracking everything from product identification and traceability data to dates, quantities, measurements, and locations. Additionally, specific codes exist for critical supply chain information such as Global Trade Item Numbers (GTIN), Batch or Lot Numbers, and Expiration Dates. Understanding these identifiers is crucial for anyone working in supply chain management, as they form the foundation of standardized communication between different systems and organizations.
Throughout this blog, we’ll break down the various types of GS1 Application Identifiers, explain their implementation in different scenarios, and provide practical guidance on how to incorporate them into your supply chain operations effectively. Whether you’re new to GS1 standards or looking to optimize your existing processes, this guide will help you navigate the world of barcode data identifiers with confidence.
Key Takeaways
- GS1 AIs are standardized prefixes(2-4 digits) that define data meaning and format in barcodes, enabling universal interpretation across supply chain systems worldwide.
- Over 100 Application Identifiers exist covering product identification (GTIN), shipping containers (SSCC), dates, dimensions, locations, and inventory data for comprehensive tracking.
- Multiple barcode formats supported, including GS1-128, GS1 DataBar, DataMatrix, and QR codes, with Function Code 1 signaling AI presence to scanning systems.
- Sector-specific implementations optimize operations – fresh foods use DataBar for weight/price/dates, healthcare focuses on safety, and logistics relies on SSCC tracking.
- ERP and WMS integration automates data capture from GS1 barcodes, streamlining transactions while ensuring accuracy and enabling real-time inventory management.
Understanding GS1 Application Identifiers
Application Identifiers (AIs) form the backbone of GS1’s barcode data standardization system. These identifiers serve as prefixes that define both the meaning and format of the data that follows in various barcode types.
What is an Application Identifier (AI)?
Application Identifiers are precisely defined as two, three, or four-digit prefixes used in barcodes and EPC/RFID tags. These numerical codes serve as data qualifiers, indicating the type of information that follows and its corresponding format. Furthermore, AIs specify whether the subsequent data will contain letters, numbers, special characters, and whether it has fixed or variable length.
When working with GS1 standards, these identifiers must appear in parentheses in human-readable text beneath barcodes, though the parentheses are not encoded in the actual barcode data. This allows people to interpret the encoded information visually while scanning systems process the raw data.
GS1 Application Identifiers in Numerical Order
GS1 has developed over 100 Application Identifiers, each representing specific data elements. Notably, some of the most commonly used AIs include:
| AI | Description | Data title |
|---|---|---|
| 00 | Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC) | SSCC |
| 01 | Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) | GTIN |
| 02 | Identification of trade items contained in a logistic unit | CONTENT |
| 03 | Identification of a Made-to-Order (MtO) trade item (GTIN) | MTO GTIN |
| 10 | Batch or lot number | BATCH/LOT |
| 11 | Production date (YYMMDD) | PROD DATE |
| 12 | Due date for amount on payment slip (YYMMDD) | DUE DATE |
| 13 | Packaging date (YYMMDD) | PACK DATE |
| 15 | Best before date (YYMMDD) | BEST BEFORE or BEST BY |
| 16 | Sell by date (YYMMDD) | SELL BY |
| 17 | Expiration date (YYMMDD) | USE BY or EXPIRY |
| 20 | Internal product variant | VARIANT |
| 21 | Serial number | SERIAL |
| 22 | Consumer product variant | CPV |
The numerical order arrangement allows for systematic implementation across systems. In particular, the GTIN (01) serves as the primary product identifier in most applications, while date codes (11, 13, 15, 17) help track product lifecycle information.
GS1-128 and GS1 DataBar Barcode Compatibility
Application Identifiers are mandatory in several GS1 barcode standards. The following barcode types can encode GS1 Application Identifiers:
- GS1-128 (a variant of Code 128 with Function Code 1)
- GS1 DataBar Expanded and GS1 DataBar Expanded Stacked
- GS1 DataMatrix
- GS1 QR Code
- GS1 Composite
- GS1 DotCode
The GS1-128 barcode, consequently, contains a special flagging character called Function Code 1 (FNC1) that signals the presence of GS1 Application Identifiers within the data. This allows scanning systems to properly parse and interpret the information contained in these versatile barcodes.
Categorical Breakdown of GS1 Application Identifiers
The diverse range of GS1 Application Identifiers can be organized into functional categories, making them easier to understand and implement across supply chain operations.
1. Identification Codes: GTIN, SSCC, GRAI, GIAI
Identification codes primarily serve as the foundation of GS1’s system. The Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) uses AI (01) to identify products and services universally. Similarly, the Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC) with AI (00) identifies logistics units packaged for storage or transport. For asset management, two distinct identifiers exist – the Global Returnable Asset Identifier (GRAI) for tracking returnable items like pallets and crates, and the Global Individual Asset Identifier (GIAI) for identifying fixed assets such as equipment
2. Date-Related Identifiers: EXPIRY, PROD DATE, BEST BEFORE
Date identifiers track critical lifecycle information. Production Date (AI 11) captures manufacturing dates in YYMMDD format. Best Before Date (AI 15) indicates optimal quality periods, whereas Expiration Date (AI 17) specifies the final use-by date. These codes are especially valuable for perishable goods and regulated products requiring precise date monitoring.
3. Dimension and Volume Identifiers: LENGTH, WIDTH, VOLUME
Dimensional data is encoded with specific format patterns. Length measurements use AI (311y) for meters, with the “y” digit indicating decimal position. Width/diameter measurements use AI (312y), also in meters. Volume measurements offer options for both liters (AI 315y) and cubic meters (AI 316y). These identifiers allow precise communication of product specifications throughout the supply chain.
4. Delivery and Location Identifiers: SHIP TO LOC, ROUTE, ORIGIN
Location codes establish geographic context. Ship To Location (AI 410) uses the Global Location Number (GLN) to identify delivery destinations. Routing codes (AI 403) direct shipments through specific channels. Origin codes (AI 422) specify a product’s country of origin using ISO country codes. These identifiers create geographical traceability throughout product journeys.
5. Inventory and Pricing Identifiers: NET WEIGHT, PRICE, COUNT
Inventory and commercial data round out the system. Net Weight appears in kilograms (AI 310y) or pounds (AI 320y). Price information uses AI (392y) for local currency or AI (393y) for ISO currency specification. Count indicators (AI 37) specify the number of units contained in a package. These identifiers ensure accurate inventory management and pricing across multiple markets.
Using GS1 Application Identifiers in Supply Chain Operations
Implementation of GS1 Application Identifiers across the supply chain transforms raw data into actionable business intelligence. Let’s explore practical applications that drive efficiency throughout operations.
1. Labeling Fresh Foods with GS1 DataBar
Fresh food departments rely on GS1 DataBar to encode critical product information beyond basic identification. Indeed, this barcode format supports multiple AIs simultaneously, including product identifiers, weight measurements, pricing, and expiration dates. This capability helps retailers maintain regulatory compliance, respond quickly to product recalls, and support food safety initiatives throughout the supply chain.
2. Tracking Shipments with SSCC and GSIN
The Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC) acts as a digital “license plate” for logistics units. This 18-digit identifier uniquely tracks shipments from origin to destination. Major retailers, including Amazon, Walmart, and Target, require SSCCs for pallets and packages. Moreover, SSCCs encoded in GS1-128 barcodes on logistics labels enable precise tracking at every transit point.
3. Managing Inventory with Batch and Serial Numbers
Batch and serial number tracking establishes end-to-end traceability. Supply Chain Management systems allow workers to register these identifiers during manufacturing processes. Accordingly, companies can associate component batch/serial numbers with finished products, optimizing processes and enabling rapid response to quality issues.
4. Integrating GS1 AIs with ERP and WMS Systems
ERP and WMS systems parse information from GS1 barcodes automatically, populating relevant data fields with a single scan. This integration streamlines transactions while ensuring data accuracy.
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Compliance and Standards for GS1 Application Identifiers
Proper implementation of GS1 Application Identifiers requires adherence to established standards that ensure consistent interpretation across global supply chains.
1. GS1 General Specifications and AI Format Rules
The GS1 General Specifications serve as the foundational document governing all aspects of the GS1 system. These specifications define over 100 Application Identifiers, each with specific data structures and formatting requirements. Initially, all GS1 barcodes that utilize AIs must begin with a Function Code 1 (FNC1) character, which signals the presence of GS1 format data. Each AI has a precisely defined format—either fixed or variable length—that must be followed for valid implementation. Fixed-length AIs can be concatenated directly, whereas variable-length ones require separator characters under specific circumstances.
2. GS1 Human Readable Interpretation (HRI) Guidelines
Human Readable Interpretation text must appear alongside GS1 barcodes except in rare situations with extreme space constraints. Under those circumstances, non-HRI text should be used as backup information. The GS1 standard requires that AI codes be placed in parentheses in the HRI text, although these parentheses are not encoded in the actual barcode. This visual distinction helps operators identify data elements without affecting machine readability.
3. Sector-Specific Standards: Healthcare, Apparel, Fresh Foods
Healthcare implementations have stringent requirements due to patient safety concerns, primarily focusing on medication error prevention and counterfeiting protection. Fresh food applications typically utilize GS1 DataBar Expanded or GS1 DataBar Expanded Stacked symbols that can encode weight, price, and expiration date alongside product identification. Overall, these sector-specific implementations balance global standardization with industry-unique requirements.
Conclusion
GS1 Application Identifiers undoubtedly serve as the universal language that powers modern supply chain communication. Throughout this guide, we have explored how these two, three, or four-digit prefixes transform simple barcodes into rich repositories of standardized information. Supply chain managers who master these identifiers gain significant advantages in operational efficiency and data accuracy.
The categorical organization of these identifiers – from identification codes like GTIN and SSCC to date-related identifiers, dimensional data, and inventory information – creates a comprehensive system for tracking virtually any product attribute. This standardization allows seamless data exchange between organizations regardless of industry or geography.
Practical applications across the supply chain demonstrate the real-world value of proper AI implementation. Fresh food retailers benefit from GS1 DataBar encoding multiple data points simultaneously, while logistics operations rely on SSCC tracking for shipment visibility. Additionally, batch and serial number identifiers establish crucial traceability that protects both businesses and consumers.
Compliance with GS1 specifications remains essential for maintaining data integrity across global supply chains. Each identifier follows specific formatting requirements that ensure consistent interpretation by scanning systems worldwide. Therefore, understanding these standards becomes a fundamental requirement for supply chain professionals.
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The strategic implementation of GS1 Application Identifiers ultimately transforms raw data into actionable business intelligence. As supply chains grow increasingly complex and data-driven, these standardized identifiers will certainly continue to serve as the foundation for efficient, accurate, and transparent operations worldwide.
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Frequently Asked Questions
GS1 Application Identifiers are standardized two, three, or four-digit prefixes that define the meaning and format of data in barcodes. They are crucial for supply chain efficiency as they enable universal interpretation of product information across global operations.
GS1 Application Identifiers act as data qualifiers in barcodes, indicating the type and format of the information that follows. They are used in various barcode formats like GS1-128 and GS1 DataBar, allowing for the encoding of multiple data points such as product identification, dates, and measurements.
Common GS1 Application Identifiers include codes for Global Trade Item Numbers (GTIN), Serial Shipping Container Codes (SSCC), batch/lot numbers, production dates, expiration dates, and various measurements like weight and volume.
GS1 Application Identifiers are used throughout the supply chain for various purposes, including labeling fresh foods, tracking shipments, managing inventory with batch and serial numbers, and integrating product data with ERP and WMS systems for improved efficiency and accuracy.
Yes, the use of GS1 Application Identifiers is governed by the GS1 General Specifications, which define format rules and Human Readable Interpretation (HRI) guidelines. There are also sector-specific standards for industries like healthcare, apparel, and fresh foods to ensure proper implementation and compliance.
