GS1System

GS1 system refers to a globally adopted set of standards for identifying products, locations, assets, and services and for exchanging supply chain information. It is administered by GS1, a neutral, not-for-profit organization with national member organizations that operate in more than 100 countries. The GS1 system aims to enable unique, portable identification and machine-readable data capture to improve traceability, inventory accuracy, and overall supply chain efficiency.

Key identifiers include the Global Trade Item Number (GTIN), used to identify trade items. GTINs are typically encoded in barcodes such as UPC or EAN, and in GS1-128 barcodes when additional data elements are required. The system also defines the Global Location Number (GLN) for physical locations and parties in the supply chain, and the Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC) for marking logistic units. Barcodes and data carriers used within the GS1 system include linear barcodes (EAN/UPC), GS1-128, and GS1 DataMatrix, among others. The GS1-128 barcode is commonly used on shipping and packaging labels to convey multiple data elements like GTIN, batch/lot, and expiry dates.

GS1 supports digital data exchange through GS1 Digital Link, which maps GTINs to web URLs for product information and commerce applications, and through the GS1 Global Data Synchronisation Network (GDSN), which connects trading partners to keep product data synchronized. The EPCIS (Electronic Product Code Information Services) standard enables capture and sharing of event data about when and where items move through the supply chain.

GS1 standards are used across many sectors, including retail, consumer packaged goods, food, healthcare, and logistics, to improve visibility, recall readiness, anti-counterfeiting, and customer experience. The system originated from the adoption of barcode technology in the 1970s and has since evolved into a comprehensive framework governed by GS1 and national member organizations that administer prefix allocations and standards conformance.