GS1 Standards

The Global Language of Business

GS1 Standards provide a common language and help to create seamless work processes that allow businesses to identify, capture, and share information the same way all over the world.

Through the power of GS1 Standards, organizations can use accurate, robust information that makes it possible for the right product to be in the right place at the right time as well as allow consumers to find the products they are looking for.

Think of GS1 Standards as a product’s data “DNA”—the building block for connecting an item with all the information about it. From that foundation, small to large companies are building even better ways to do business. For instance, GS1 Standards enable:

  • Consumers to follow the food they eat—from the farm to the table
  • A shopper to access detailed product information from their mobile device
  • Companies to save through greater product and item visibility in their supply chain
GS1 Standards Advanced Certificate Course

GS1 Standards Advanced Certificate Course

Looking to unlock the full value of your data? Attend this course to learn essential concepts relating to the GS1 System of Standards and how to apply them using real-world examples and learnings.

General Specifications v24 Now Available

The GS1 General Specifications is the core standards document of the GS1 System describing how GS1 barcodes and identification keys should be used.

To view the most updated version of the General Specifications, click here.

GS1 Standards at-a-glance: identify, capture, share

Identify

These are the numbers behind the barcodes. Used in both the physical and digital worlds, GS1 identification numbers uniquely distinguish products, logistics units, locations, assets, documents, and relationships across the supply chain—from the manufacturer to the consumer.

IdentifyWith
CompaniesGS1 Company Prefix
ProductsGTIN®
LocationsGLN
Logistics UnitsSSCC
DocumentsGDTI
Service RelationshipsGSRN
AssetsGIAI, GRAI
ShipmentsGSIN, GINC
identify image

Capture

GS1 barcodes can hold data about a product or item. Different barcodes have different purposes depending on where they will be scanned and what types of data they need to hold.

CaptureWith
Product Data for Point of SaleU.P.C. / EAN
Product Data for Point of Care/UseGS1 DataMatrix, GS1 DataBar®
CouponsGS1 DataBar
Cartons, Cases, PalletsITF-14, GS1-128
Detailed Product Data and Consumer EngagementQR Code, Data Matrix
Product Data Using RFIDEPC®-Enabled RFID
GS1 Capturing Information

McDonald's and Golden State Foods Build Supply Chain Resiliency for the Future

Discover how GS1 Standards help McDonald's and Golden State Foods seamlessly manage their inventory, in both retail and warehouse environments to create a more efficient, digitized supply chain and prepare for the future.

Share

GS1 has standards for sharing product and location information electronically, eliminating the need for manual re-keying and improving accuracy and efficiency in business communications.

ShareWith
Master Product DataGDSN®
Business Documents, MessagesEDI, XML
Business Messages for high-techRosettaNet®
Product Event DataEPCIS 
Share
  • Next Level Supply Chain Podcast
  • Next Level Supply Chain with GS1 US

    Join co-hosts Reid Jackson and Liz Sertl as they connect the dots between supply chain and global standards with renowned thought leaders from across disciplines and around the world.

Basic Education

GS1 Standards Development

The GS1 Global Office develops international standards using the Global Standards Management Process (GSMP).

Certificate & Workshop

GSMP Standards Development Work Groups

The GSMP brings together users from around the world to develop supply chain standards in GSMP Work Groups.

Enterprise License

UNSPSC®

The United Nations Standard Products and Services Code®, managed by GS1 US, is an open, global, multi-sector standard