GS1
What Is an GS1?
GS1 is a global, non-profit organisation that develops and maintains the most widely adopted supply chain standards in the world. Its identification and data-sharing frameworks enable businesses to uniquely identify products, locations, assets and transactions. Over two million organisations use GS1 standards, covering sectors such as retail, pharmaceuticals, electronics, healthcare, logistics and manufacturing.
The GS1 system forms the foundation of modern Product Authentication, Product Verification and Product traceability initiatives, especially in industries where safety, compliance and transparency are critical.
Why GS1 Matters
GS1 standards support accurate data capture, seamless movement of goods and consistent communication between supply chain partners. This consistency reduces errors, eliminates duplication and enables real-time visibility across global networks.
For brands, GS1 identifiers strengthen governance, support IP Protection and facilitate Brand Verification by ensuring every product carries a globally recognised code that cannot be confused with another item. In highly regulated markets, GS1 barcodes and digital identifiers are central to meeting government and industry compliance expectations.
GS1 and Supply Chain Management
GS1 plays a vital role in enhancing supply chain management and Track and trace capabilities. Its standards enable organisations to monitor product movement from raw materials to finished goods across warehouses, distributors and retail environments.
This level of transparency supports Product traceability initiatives, reduces the risk of counterfeit goods entering the market and enables rapid response during recalls. By linking testing data, manufacturing batches and distribution records, GS1 strengthens brand protection strategies and contributes to higher levels of customer satisfaction and product safety.
How Brands Use GS1 Standards
Brands adopt GS1 identifiers such as GTIN, GLN, SSCC and GS1 DataMatrix for secure and structured product labelling. These identifiers support digital supply chain solutions, anti-counterfeiting solutions and verification workflows used in retail scanning, logistics automation and e-commerce authentication.
GS1 standards integrate effectively with technologies used for Brand Authentication, Track and trace systems and solutions designed to improve customer engagement by providing reliable product information. In markets where authenticity and safety are major concerns, GS1 serves as a trusted foundation for secure product handling and long-term IP Protection.