The GS1 System provides identification numbers to uniquely identify trade items (products and services), logistic units, locations, assets, and service relations worldwide. For example, a Global Trade Item Number (GTIN), the most well known GS1 identification number, is the 12-digits shown below the Universal Product Code (U.P.C.) bar code. The identification numbers make supply chains much more efficient and responsive to customers in any industry and overcome the limitations of using company or sector specific coding systems. The GS1 System also standardizes additional information such as best-before-dates, expiration dates, lot numbers, and serial numbers.
These numbers are integrated into electronic commerce and encoded in machine-readable carriers – GS1 approved bar codes and EPCglobal compliant radio frequency identification (RFID) tags. Thus, these numbers link together the information flow of business transactions to the physical flow of products. The GS1 System enables users to design applications that process GS1 data automatically because the data captured from approved machine-readable carriers produces unambiguous electronic information.
A GS1 Company Prefix is required to create GS1 identification numbers, which is globally unique and reserved for use by just one company. Partner Connections members are licensed a GS1 Company Prefix as a benefit of membership. Learn more about Partner Connections membership.