GS1

GS1 is a global, neutral, not-for-profit organization that coordinates a worldwide system of standards for identifying products, locations, shipments, services and other entities. It is best known for the EAN/UPC barcode system used on consumer goods, but its work extends across product data, supply-chain visibility, electronic commerce, healthcare traceability, logistics and emerging two-dimensional identification technologies. The organization functions as a coordinating office for a federation of local GS1 member organizations. These member organizations serve companies in their respective markets, issue or administer identifiers such as Global Trade Item Numbers (GTINs), and support implementation of GS1 standards. GS1 states that its network includes 120 local member organizations covering approximately 150 countries and more than two million user companies. Its global office is located in Brussels, Belgium. GS1’s historical roots are in the retail industry’s search for a faster and more reliable checkout process. In the United States, an industry committee selected the Universal Product Code in 1973. The Uniform Code Council was subsequently created to administer the system, and a pack of Wrigley’s chewing gum became the first retail product scanned using a barcode on 26 June 1974. In Europe, the European Article Numbering Association was established in Brussels in 1977 by organizations from 12 countries. The American and European systems were progressively aligned, and the organizations entered into a global cooperation agreement in 1990. The GS1 name began to be used worldwide in 2005. The central identifier in the GS1 system is the GTIN, which provides a globally managed identity for trade items. Other important standards include the Global Location Number (GLN), the Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC), GS1-128, GS1 DataBar, GS1 DataMatrix and GS1 QR Code. GS1 Application Identifiers allow structured information such as product identity, batch or lot numbers, expiration dates, country of origin and web addresses to be encoded in compatible symbols. This enables barcodes to support more than checkout: they can assist with inventory control, product recall, authentication, regulatory compliance, delivery management and consumer-facing product information. GS1 also maintains standards for the digital exchange and synchronization of product information. The Global Data Synchronization Network, launched in 2004, helps trading partners exchange standardized product master data. GS1 Digital Link extends product identifiers into the web by connecting a product identity with online information. These capabilities are increasingly relevant to marketplaces and e-commerce, where accurate product identification and structured data support product listings, search, fulfillment and international commerce. Healthcare is another major area of activity. GS1 standards are used in many markets to identify medicines and medical devices, improve traceability and support patient-safety objectives. GS1 also works with apparel, fresh food, consumer packaged goods, general merchandise, food service, transport and logistics, and technical industries. Standards are developed through the community-based Global Standards Management Process, which brings together industry participants and other stakeholders. GS1 is currently promoting Sunrise 2027, an initiative aimed at helping retailers and healthcare organizations move from reliance on one-dimensional EAN/UPC symbols toward systems capable of reading two-dimensional symbols such as GS1 QR Code and GS1 DataMatrix. The transition is intended to preserve retail scanning functionality while allowing more information, traceability and digital services to be associated with a standardized product identity.

GS1 developed from efforts by the retail sector to standardize product identification and speed up checkout operations. In the United States, an Ad Hoc Committee for a Uniform Grocery Product Identification Code was formed in 1969. Its work led to the selection of the Universal Product Code in 1973 as a common system for uniquely identifying retail products. The Uniform Code Council was established in 1974 to administer the American system. On 26 June that year, a pack of Wrigley’s chewing gum was scanned at a retail checkout in Ohio, becoming the first product recorded through a barcode scan in a shop. The original UPC system used 12 digits. In 1976, the identification structure was expanded to 13 digits, allowing it to be used more broadly outside the United States. In 1977, organizations from 12 countries founded the European Article Numbering Association in Brussels. Its EAN system was designed to operate alongside the American UPC system and became widely used across Europe and other international markets. EAN and UCC formalized a global cooperation agreement in 1990. The agreement expanded their combined presence and established a foundation for the eventual creation of a unified international organization. In 1999, the two organizations launched the Auto-ID Centre to investigate the Electronic Product Code and the use of radio-frequency identification technologies with standardized product identities. The organizations broadened their work beyond printed barcodes. In 2004, EAN and UCC launched the Global Data Synchronization Network, an internet-based system intended to help trading partners exchange and synchronize standardized product master data. By 2005, the organization was active in more than 90 countries and began using the GS1 name worldwide. The name denotes one global standards system rather than an acronym. GS1’s standards portfolio subsequently expanded to include identifiers for products, locations, shipments and assets; structured barcode data; electronic commerce; and industry-specific traceability. Its standards-management process is community-based, bringing businesses and sector representatives into the development and maintenance of standards. Many GS1 standards, including GTIN, GLN and SSCC, are also recognized as ISO standards, and GS1 serves as the secretariat for ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 31, which covers automatic identification and data-capture techniques. In healthcare, GS1 has promoted standardized identification and traceability for medicines and medical devices, with the stated objectives of improving patient safety and supply-chain efficiency. In retail and e-commerce, its standards support product listings, marketplace requirements, inventory management, fulfillment and the sharing of reliable product data. Its work also covers transport and logistics, food service, apparel, fresh foods, consumer packaged goods, general merchandise and technical industries. In August 2018, GS1 ratified its Web URI Structure Standard, enabling identifiers to be represented through web-like addresses and used with digital product experiences. In 2022, GS1 launched Sunrise 2027, a global initiative supporting the adoption of two-dimensional symbols, including GS1 QR Code and GS1 DataMatrix, at retail points of sale and healthcare points of care. The initiative is intended to allow organizations to retain core scanning functions while carrying richer information for traceability, authentication, regulatory and sustainability use cases, and consumer engagement.

• 2022

  Sunrise 2027 launched

  [2]GS1 Sunrise 2027gs1.org

  GS1 launched a global program supporting the adoption of two-dimensional barcodes in retail and healthcare scanning environments.

• 2018

  Web URI Structure Standard ratified

  [1]GS1en.wikipedia.org

  GS1 approved a standard for representing product identities as web-style URIs and linking them to online information.

• 2005

  GS1 name adopted worldwide

  [1]GS1en.wikipedia.org

  The organization began using the GS1 name internationally as the designation for its unified global standards system.

• 2004

  Global Data Synchronization Network launched

  [1]GS1en.wikipedia.org

  GS1’s predecessor organizations launched an internet-based network for exchanging and synchronizing product master data.

• 1999

  Auto-ID Centre launched

  [1]GS1en.wikipedia.org

  EAN and UCC launched the Auto-ID Centre to develop the Electronic Product Code and investigate RFID applications.

• 1990

  EAN and UCC enter global cooperation

  [1]GS1en.wikipedia.org

  EAN and UCC signed a cooperation agreement to coordinate their standards and international presence.

• 1977

  European Article Numbering Association founded

  [1]GS1en.wikipedia.org

  EAN was established in Brussels by founding organizations from 12 countries.

• 1974

  First retail barcode scan

  [1]GS1en.wikipedia.org

  A pack of Wrigley’s chewing gum became the first product scanned with a retail barcode in a shop.

• 1973

  Universal Product Code selected

  [1]GS1en.wikipedia.org

  The Universal Product Code was selected as a standardized system for uniquely identifying retail products.

• 1969

  Retail identification committee established

  [1]GS1en.wikipedia.org

  A United States retail-industry committee began work on a common grocery product-identification system to improve checkout efficiency.

A neutral global infrastructure and standards coordinator for interoperable product identification, data exchange and supply-chain visibility.

• Barcode standard · 1973

  EAN/UPC

  The EAN/UPC family comprises the linear retail barcodes most commonly associated with packaged consumer products. It encodes a product identifier that can be scanned at checkout and used by retailers, manufacturers and marketplaces for item recognition, inventory processes and commerce data exchange.

• Product identifier

  Global Trade Item Number (GTIN)

  GTIN is the core identifier in the GS1 system for distinguishing trade items worldwide. It provides the identity that may be represented in an EAN/UPC barcode, a two-dimensional symbol or digital product information, supporting retail, e-commerce, logistics and traceability workflows.

• Two-dimensional barcode

  GS1 DataMatrix

  GS1 DataMatrix is a two-dimensional symbol capable of carrying a product identifier together with structured attributes such as lot, serial and expiration information. It is particularly important in healthcare and other environments requiring compact symbols and detailed traceability.

• Two-dimensional barcode

  GS1 QR Code

  GS1 QR Code combines the familiar QR-code format with GS1 identification and data conventions. It can support product identity, structured attributes and web-linked experiences, making it relevant to digital product information, consumer engagement and future point-of-sale systems.

• Digital identity standard · 2018

  GS1 Digital Link

  GS1 Digital Link connects a GS1 identifier with online resources through standardized web-based structures. Depending on implementation, the linked information can support product details, instructions, authentication, traceability, sustainability information or consumer services.

• Product-data network · 2004

  Global Data Synchronization Network (GDSN)

  GDSN is a global internet-based network designed to help trading partners exchange and synchronize standardized product master data. It addresses the need for consistent item information across manufacturers, distributors, retailers and other commercial participants.

• Location and organization identifier

  Global Location Number (GLN)

  GLN identifies parties and locations involved in business transactions, such as companies, departments, warehouses and delivery points. It helps organizations communicate consistently across electronic commerce, logistics and supply-chain systems.

• Logistics identifier

  Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC)

  SSCC provides a standardized identity for logistics units such as pallets, cases and shipping containers. It supports scanning and tracking as goods move through distribution and transport networks.

• 2022Sunrise 2027

  Retail · Healthcare · Global

  A global transition program encouraging retailers and healthcare providers to prepare scanning systems for two-dimensional GS1 symbols while continuing to support existing linear barcodes. The program emphasizes richer product data, traceability, authentication, inventory control, regulatory information and digital consumer experiences.

  Outcome. Ongoing initiative with a 2027 target for broad operational readiness.

  Source

• 2022

  Sunrise 2027 two-dimensional barcode transitionGeneration change

  Background

  Linear barcodes remain widely deployed, but supply chains and consumers increasingly need symbols that can carry richer structured and web-linked information.

  Action taken

  GS1 launched Sunrise 2027 to promote scanning readiness for GS1 QR Code and GS1 DataMatrix alongside legacy EAN/UPC symbols.

  Aftermath

  The initiative established a global target framework for broader two-dimensional barcode adoption in retail and healthcare.

  Source

• 2018

  Ratification of the Web URI Structure StandardProduct launch

  Background

  Products increasingly required connections between physical identifiers and online information.

  Action taken

  GS1 ratified a web-oriented structure for representing identifiers as URIs and connecting them with digital resources.

  Aftermath

  The standard supported the development of web-linked product identities and GS1 Digital Link implementations.

  Source

• 2004

  Launch of the Global Data Synchronization NetworkProduct launch

  Background

  Trading partners needed a more efficient way to exchange reliable and consistent product master data over the internet.

  Action taken

  EAN and UCC launched GDSN as a global data-synchronization initiative.

  Aftermath

  GS1’s standards portfolio expanded beyond physical barcodes into structured product-data exchange and digital commerce infrastructure.

  Source

• 1990

  Global cooperation between EAN and UCCStrategy

  Background

  Separate American and European product-identification systems needed closer coordination as international trade expanded.

  Action taken

  EAN and UCC signed a global cooperation agreement and coordinated their standards and international activities.

  Aftermath

  The agreement provided an institutional basis for a unified international standards organization and broader cross-border adoption.

  Source

• 1973

  Selection of the Universal Product CodeOther

  Background

  The United States retail industry sought a common product-identification method that could reduce checkout friction and improve item recognition.

  Action taken

  The industry committee selected UPC as the first single standard for unique retail-product identification.

  Aftermath

  UPC became the foundation of the American retail barcode system and a precursor to the globally coordinated GS1 system.

  Source

1. 1GS1en.wikipedia.org
2. 2GS1 Sunrise 2027gs1.org
3. 3GS1 official websitegs1.org