GS1 US

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GS1 US headquarters in Ewing, NJ

GS1 US, a member of GS1, is an information standards organization that brings industry communities together to solve supply chain problems through the adoption and implementation of GS1 Standards. GS1 Standards are the most widely used supply chain standards system in the world. The barcode (an example of a GS1 Standard) is scanned more than 6 billion times a day globally. The GS1 System of Standards provides for accurate identification and communication of information regarding products, assets, services and locations.

Formerly known as the Uniform Code Council or UCC prior to 2005, GS1 US is responsible for managing the GS1 System of Standards in the USA. More than 300,000 businesses in 25 industries use GS1 US global unique numbering and identification systems, barcodes, Electronic Product Code (EPC)-based radio-frequency identification (RFID), data synchronization, and electronic information exchange.^{[citation needed]} GS1 US also manages the United Nations Standard Products and Services Code (UNSPSC).

GS1 Company Prefixes and UPC Barcodes[]

When a company gets a barcode from GS1 US, they are issued a unique company identification number, called a GS1 Company Prefix, which serve as the basis for companies to create Universal Product Codes (UPC) barcodes – these barcodes contain a 12-digit Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) that uniquely identifies a product. The GS1 Company Prefix contained in a UPC is licensed just to that specific company and uniquely links a company to its products in the marketplace. This helps establish the brand with retailers and make it easier for the company's products to be identified within the retailer's systems. 

Barcodes and the GS1 numbering system contained within the barcode is an example of a standard that you see every day at point of sale.

The same GTINs used for barcoding physical products is also used to sell products online. They form an important bridge between online listings and physical product, and help businesses maintain order in the inventory management process. Without using a properly constructed GTIN, a product may not surface in consumer searches. Businesses that have added correct GTINs to their product data have seen conversion rates increase up to 20%. Some leading online retailers have hidden product listings that are not identified with the proper GTIN.

Companies need a different GTIN for each product they sell, and product variations require unique GTINs to distinguish one variation from another. Each barcode can be printed and attached to a product or incorporated into the product's package design or other kinds of labeling.

History[]

GS1 Standards have been used for more than 40 years. In 1973, the grocery industry came together to agree on one way of doing business by adopting the U.P.C. barcode to drive speed and efficiency at retail check out. This cooperation marked the beginning of GS1 US. Here is a timeline of GS1 US history:

1973 – The formation of the Uniform Product Code Council (UPCC)

1974 – First live scan of a UPC barcode with numbering system administered by the UPCC. The first scan was a 10-pack of gum in a supermarket in Ohio.

1983 – UPCC adds the Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) standards to its portfolio

1983 - GS1 Standards expand beyond point-of-sale consumer units with ITF-14 barcodes for outer cases.

1985 – Introduction of UPCs for use on coupons

1989 – Introduction of first standard for shipping containers

1998 – Introduction of global data synchronization and UCCnet

2003 – Formation of EPCglobal US

2005 – GS1 is created when UCC and EAN, a European standards organization, merge. UCCnet combines with Transora to form 1SYNC Data Pool

2008 – Formation of GS1 Healthcare US, Launch of Produce Traceability Initiative

2009 – Launch of Foodservice GS1 US Standards Initiative

2010 – Industry-established start date for GS1 Global Location Numbers (GLNs) in U.S. healthcare

2011 – Industry-established start date for GS1 DataBar on coupons in U.S. retail

2012 – Industry-established start date for GS1 Global Trade Item Numbers (GTINs) in U.S. healthcare

2012 – VICS merged with GS1 US and the GS1 US Apparel and General Merchandise Initiative was formed

2014 – GS1 US celebrates its 40th anniversary, commemorating the barcode

2015 – GS1 US Retail Grocery Initiative formed

2015 – The National Data Quality Program is launched to help companies establish and sustain effective data quality programs based on GS1 Standards

2015 – Formation of the Cash Visibility Discussion Group to develop and adopt data standards and best practices for cash logistics affecting intensive cash users and businesses

2017 – Certified Content Provider Program is established to help small businesses create and manage complete and accurate digital listing product content.

2018 – GS1 Digital Link is launched, a new standard that Web-enable barcodes.

2018 – GS1 US Blockchain Discussion Group holds first meeting to discuss linkages between GS1 Standards and blockchain in the supply chain.

Industries[]

The core industries served by GS1 US include Apparel/General Merchandise, Retail Grocery, Foodservice, and Healthcare. Each of these core industries has a GS1 US initiative:

GS1 US Apparel and General Merchandise Initiative

The GS1 US Apparel and General Merchandise Initiative is a retail industry group. More than 100 suppliers, distributors, retailers, e-tailers, solution providers, industry trade associations, logistics providers, and academic institutions are participating members in Initiative activities, focused on improving inventory accuracy, exchanging standardized product data, and achieving item level visibility with GS1 Standards.

GS1 US Retail Grocery Initiative

By bringing together industry leaders from grocery, fresh foods and consumer packaged goods, the GS1 US Retail Grocery Initiative identifies specific industry challenges and develops potential solutions to continue the progress toward more efficiencies, enhanced risk management and business growth.

Foodservice GS1 US Standards Initiative

The Foodservice GS1 US Standards Initiative represents a broad cross section of industry trading partners.

GS1 Healthcare US

GS1 Healthcare US is one of over 30 local GS1 Healthcare user groups around the world that support the adoption and implementation of global standards developed by GS1.

Membership[]

Companies become members of GS1 US when they sign up to obtain a GS1 Company Prefix, the unique identification number that GS1 US issues to a company so that they can then create GTINs and barcodes.

Glossary[]

Some GS1 Standards used commonly in the United States:

• GTIN – A Global Trade Item Number can be used by a company to uniquely identify all of its trade items. GS1 defines trade items as products or services that are priced, ordered or invoiced at any point in the supply chain.
• GLN – A Global Location Number can be used by companies to identify their locations, giving them complete flexibility to identify any type or level of location required.
• GDSN - The GS1 Global Data Synchronization Network™ is a network of interoperable data pools enabling collaborating users to securely synchronize master data based on GS1 Standards. GDSN supports accurate, real-time data sharing and trade item updates among subscribed trading partners.
• EDI - Electronic Data Interchange provides global standards for electronic business messaging that allow automation of business transactions commonly occurring across the entire supply chain.
• EPCIS – Electronic Product Code Information Service enables disparate applications to create and share visibility event data, both within and across enterprises. This sharing is aimed at enabling users to gain a shared view of physical or digital objects within a relevant business context.
• SSCC – A Serial Shipping Container Code can be used by companies to identify a logistic unit, which can be any combination of trade items packaged together for storage and/ or transport purposes; for example, a case, pallet or parcel.
• UPC-A – The most commonly seen barcode – found on products for retail checkout. It encodes the Global Trade Item Number (GTIN-12) and is also used by retailers to identify privately owned brand products sold only in their stores.
• ITF-14 – The ITF-14 barcode is generally used on higher packaging levels of a product, such as a case or carton and can be directly printed on corrugate material.
• GS1-128 - The GS1-128 is a barcode that can include a product's GTIN and additional data, such as Best Before Date, Batch/Lot Number, Quantity, Weight, and many other attributes.