Broadly used in 150 countries worldwide with over 10 billion barcodes scanned daily in use for products of all kinds, GS1 is a not-for-profit organization that develops and maintains standards for product identification and tracking. Considered the "global language of business," GS1's standards, barcodes, and other contributions are a core part of a successful traceability system.

As the terminology and acronyms used can often be complex or unfamiliar to those unfamiliar with the application of GS1 standards, we've prepared this glossary to provide a quick reference.

GS1 Standards & Identification Keys

  • GS1 Standard
    A framework that provides a common language for identifying, capturing, and sharing information across supply chains. GS1 standards are widely used in the food industry in addition to other markets to enhance traceability, safety, and regulatory compliance.
  • Global Trade Item Number (GTIN)
    A unique identifier used to identify products at any packaging level. GTINs are encoded in barcodes and electronic communications to enable automated identification and traceability.
  • Global Location Number (GLN)
    A unique identifier for physical locations or legal entities. GLNs are essential for associating supply chain events with specific locations, such as warehouses or processing facilities.
  • Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC)
    A unique identifier for logistics units, such as pallets or containers. SSCCs are used to track shipments through the supply chain.

Data Carriers

  • GS1-128 Barcode
    A segmented barcode capable of encoding multiple data elements, including GTINs, batch numbers, expiration dates, and weights. GS1-128 is widely used in the food industry for case-level traceability.
  • GTIN-14 Barcode
    A simpler barcode format used primarily for identifying product cases during shipping and warehousing. Unlike GS1-128, it does not encode additional traceability information like lot numbers or dates.
Gs1 Glossary 2 Provision Analytics

Traceability Concepts

While not exclusive to GS1’s standards and tools, these terms are tied to the requirements of FSMA 204 as developed by the FDA. They commonly appear in conjunction with GS1 terminology.

  • Traceability Lot Code (TLC)
    A unique code assigned to a batch of food products when they are packed or processed. TLCs are critical for tracking products through the supply chain and ensuring compliance with regulations like FSMA 204.
  • Critical Tracking Events (CTEs)
    Key points in the supply chain where traceability data must be recorded, such as shipping, receiving, or transformation events. CTEs provide visibility into the movement and status of products.
  • Key Data Elements (KDEs)
    Specific pieces of information tied to CTEs that must be captured for effective traceability. Examples include GTINs, GLNs, lot numbers, and expiration dates.

Data Sharing Solutions

  • Electronic Product Code Information Services (EPCIS)
    A GS1 standard that facilitates the sharing of visibility event data between trading partners. EPCIS enables tracking of products based on what, where, when and why events occurred throughout the supply chain.
  • Application Programming Interface (API)
    A set of protocols and tools that enables different software systems to communicate with each other, facilitating the integration of GS1 standards into supply chain management and traceability systems such as ERPs.
  • OpenAPI
    A standardized specification for describing a subset of APIs, ensuring consistency and interoperability across different systems and platforms. In the context of GS1, OpenAPI helps developers integrate GS1 services and data into their applications more efficiently. Compared to a standard API, OpenAPI is publicly accessible and designed for developer use without the need for special permissions.

Advanced GS1 Solutions

  • GS1 Digital Link
    A technology that connects physical products to online information using web-enabled barcodes. It expands traceability by providing access to detailed product data beyond what is encoded in traditional barcodes.