Benefits of Purchasing EANs Directly from GS1: A Guide for all Brand owners

Posted on January 30, 2025 by Heena

Introduction

European Article Number (EAN), also referred to as Global Trade Item Number (GTIN), is a type of barcode symbology, accepted and used all across the globe. Businesses obtain EAN/GTIN to uniquely identify their products in the market, sell them cross-border, list them on e-marketplaces and eventually streamline their operations. In India, GS1 India – one of the 116 member organisations of GS1 Global, is the only body authorised to assign GTIN/EAN codes to Indian businesses who wish to sell products in the domestic and international market.

The Importance of EANs/GTINs for Brand Owners

Every product being sold in the market needs to have a unique identification to differentiate itself from others. Unique product identities foster transparency in the supply chain, build trust and optimise business operations globally. GTIN/EAN is one such unique identification number which is recognised and accepted worldwide and provides better visibility to the products being sold.

Be it an online marketplace such as Amazon or offline retailers, GTINs/EANs are required by all to streamline product listing. In fact, Google has reported that products having GTINs/EANs have as high as 40% impressions and have more than 20% chances of conversions. As a brand owner, if you want to maintain customer trust and brand credibility then it is paramount for you to buy EAN codes.

What Are EANs/GTINs?

EANs/GTINs are a series of numbers in a standardised order used on retail products. This unique number set is composed of four critical components – Country Code, Company Code, Product Code and Check Digit. Every component of a EAN/GTIN identifies a specific element. Country code is the unique code of the country with which the company is registered for barcodes, the company code is a unique number provided by GS1 member organisation to the company as its unique identification, product code is generated by the company and check digit is a computer generated digit used to validate the GTIN/EAN.

‘890’ is the country code provided by GS1 Global to GS1 India. This means every GTIN/EAN of products manufactured in India will have ‘890’ as their prefix. The company code and product code of a GTIN will vary based on the number of barcodes the company is registered for. Below given is an example (fig 1) of a GTIN wherein the company is registered for 100,000 barcodes. Companies can get registered for 100, 1000, 10000 or 100000 barcodes, based on their requirements.

EAN/GTIN Types

EAN-13/GTIN-13 – It is a 13-digits unique identification code that is used to identify retail products internationally. This barcode can be read by scanners at point-of-sale or throughout the product’s supply journey with the help of a scanner.

EAN-8/GTIN-8 – It is a compressed version of EAN-13/GTIN-13. It contains 8-digits and is used to identify products that are very small, for example – cosmetics.

Why Purchase EANs Directly from GS1?

Purchasing EANs/GTINs from GS1 is the only way to ensure your barcodes are authorised. GS1 is an international not-for-profit and neutral organisation which brings industry leaders, regulators, government and different associations together with the purpose to develop and implement standards-based supply chain solutions. It has member organisations in 116 countries and has more than 2 million user companies which promote 10 billion transactions every day.

This extensive reach and globally standardised approach to unique product identification, structured operations, authenticity and inclusivity make GS1 the only recognised provider of barcodes globally. Let’s understand the above mentioned features of GS1 in detail, with context to the Indian businesses.

Extensive Reach – Indian businesses who wish to export (sell their products in different countries worldwide) are recommended to obtain GS1 barcodes. GS1 barcodes are accepted and used worldwide making cross-border sale operations easier for businesses. It simplifies their journey of reaching international marketplaces and empowers businesses with streamlined supply chain operations. Additionally, the EAN number promotes consistent identification of products, regardless of the geographical boundaries.

Global Standardisation – With GS1 barcodes, businesses get a standardised system of product identification through the EAN/GTIN codes which is accepted globally.

Unique Product Identification – GS1 barcodes are unique to each product being sold in the market. No two products having differences in weight, size, packaging, colour, ingredients, dimensions, etc. can have the same GTIN. Every product variant will have a different GTIN on it which allows businesses to track and manage their inventory efficiently. The unique product identification helps avoid product misidentification and product mismatches.

Structured Operations – EAN/GTIN codes are based and created following a predefined structure of product identification codes set by GS1. Every member organisation follows this same structured approach to assign GTINs/EANs to companies promoting structured operations worldwide.

Trust & Authenticity – The EAN/GTIN codes assigned by GS1 are authentic. Businesses around the world trust these codes and apply them on their products for their unique identification. Consumers trust these codes as they guarantee the product is sourced from the original manufacturer.

Inclusivity – EAN/GTIN codes of GS1 are inclusive to all types of organisations. No matter the scale of the organisation, if you want to sell your products in the market you can get registered for GS1 barcodes.

Verified Products – EANs/GTINs can be verified and product information can be validated through the Smart Consumer mobile and web app. Furthermore, retailers can verify EAN/GTIN information through the ‘GTIN Validation’ page of GS1 India wherein all the information concerned with the EAN/GTIN will reflect on the screen.

Data is sourced directly from DataKart which is the national product data repository of India. DataKart shares product information with ‘Verified by GS1’ allowing retailers, organisations or consumers all across the globe to validate your product details. As much as 7.8 million GTINs are checked against the ‘Verified by GS1’ database every 90 seconds, making it paramount for businesses to obtain GTINs/EANs in order to improve their product visibility.

How to Purchase EANs from GS1

To purchase EANs/GTINs from GS1 India you can follow the below mentioned steps –

Visit ‘Register for Barcodes’ page of GS1 India.
Fill the registration form.
Submit all the required documents as and when asked.
Pay the one-time registration fees and the subscription fees.
In 7-10 working days you will receive a barcode allotment letter along with your Global Company Prefix (GCP).
Use your GCP to login into DataKart and start creating GTINs/EANs for your products.

The subscription fees will depend on the number of barcodes you are getting registered for. You can get a subscription for 100,1000,10000 and 100000 barcodes.

To view the barcode registration fee structure you can click on this link – https://www.gs1india.org/wp-content/uploads/GCPBarcodes-Registration-Fee-effective-from-1st-July-2024.pdf

Common Questions and Misconceptions about EANs

1. Can I buy EAN codes from third-party providers?

GS1 does not recommend any company to buy EAN codes from any third-party providers. Only GS1 India is the only authorised body in India to issue barcodes starting from ‘890’. Any EAN codes provided by third-party providers are unauthorised and are not interoperable.

2. What is the difference between EAN and UPC?

European Article Number (EAN) and Universal Product Code (UPC) are both barcode symbologies that are accepted worldwide. UPC symbology is used specifically in North America. It has two types – UPC-A (a 12-digit code similar to GTIN-13/EAN-13) and UPC-E (a 8-digit code similar to GTIN-8/EAN-8).

3. How do I find my EAN number?

EAN code is printed on the packaging of your product. It is right below the barcode which is a series of black and white vertical lines.

Conclusion

It is extremely important as a business owner that whichever products you are selling in the marketplace have authorised barcodes and correct GTIN/EAN codes. This empowers not only you but every other element of the supply chain, including the end-consumers. If you have not yet registered for GS1 barcodes we recommend you follow the provided steps and start your journey of selling products seamlessly without any complications.

FAQs

Q1. What does EAN stand for?

Ans. EAN stands for European Article Number and is a type of barcode symbology that is used to uniquely identify products sold in the domestic and international market.

Q2. What is the EAN code for India?

Ans. ‘890’ is the country code provided by GS1 to GS1 India.

Q3. Who provides EAN codes?

Ans. EAN codes are provided by GS1 member organisations globally. In India, GS1 India provides EAN codes to companies.

Q4. What is a 13 digit EAN number?

Ans. EAN-13 is similar to GTIN-13 and is used to identify retail products in the market.

Q5. Do EAN numbers expire?

Yes, EAN/GTIN codes are provided based on the subscription model. Companies will have to renew their EANs/GTINs in order to continue using these numbers.

Q6. Can I use a third-party seller for EANs?

No, only GS1 India is authorised to issue EANs/GTINs to companies in India. No other company can provide authorised unique identification numbers.

The Importance of GS1 Standards in Barcode Generation

Posted on January 29, 2025February 21, 2025 by Heena

Introduction

In 1996, GS1 India was established to help businesses implement a standardised and structured approach to supplying products in the market. This standardisation has since become a cornerstone of a transparent and interoperable supply chain. Indian manufacturers are now exporting products across the globe and are leveraging GS1 standards to track the end-to-end journey of their shipments. These standards have become a global benchmark in barcode generation which ultimately is imperative in the unique identification of each product being supplied in the market.

This blog will help readers understand the critical need for GS1 standards in barcode generation. It will also illuminate the benefits, barcode generation process, and role of GS1 standards in shaping modern trade.

What Are GS1 Standards?

GS1 – an international not-for-profit organisation which governs GS1 India and 115 other member organisations, defines GS1 standards as a set of rules or guidelines that help businesses in ‘uniquely identifying’, ‘accurately capturing’ and ‘automatically sharing’ information about products, assets, locations and more, in any country and with any trading partner.

These standards are developed to increase the process efficiency of businesses and provide them with an automated structure, facilitating unique identification of products and sharing electronic product information, globally. The GS1 system of standards is influenced by factors like broad acceptability, maximum applicability across various business scenarios and adherence by all parties. The standards are created to be mutually beneficial for both manufacturers and the end-consumers and hence benefit every element of the supply chain. Find below the three pillars of GS1 standards –

Identify (GS1 Standards for Identification) – These standards serve as a means to identify real-world entities, including – retail products, cartons, locations, documents, etc. so as to create a medium of information, used by people. These identification standards include GS1 Identification Keys, which facilitate the unique product identification of real-world entities and the flow of accurate information.
Capture (GS1 Standards for Barcodes and EPC/RFID) – These standards serve as a means to automatically capture data, connecting real-world products and assets with electronic and easily accessible information. Barcodes and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, serve as data carriers of the product information. These standards ensure the RFID tags and barcodes can be read by scanners and software components when required.
Share (GS1 Standards for Data Exchange) – These standards serve as a means to share the captured information with trading partners, end-consumers and other businesses. These standards are foundational in enabling – electronic business transactions and visibility,

GS1 barcodes are generated following these general GS1 standards. The structure of GS1 barcodes is defined and already set, because of which companies and countries enjoy streamlined operations and an accurate information flow.

What is the Purpose of GS1 Standards?

GS1 standards play an indispensable role in the barcode generation process as they create a common trade language for businesses by uniquely identifying, capturing and sharing important information on the products. Due to their wide acceptability, they foster trust and dependability in the internal and external organisational workings.

Find below the purpose of implementing GS1 standards in your processes –

Global Interoperability – GS1 standards are the root of facilitating interoperability – the ability of systems and software to share and use information. They provide businesses with a standardised or common method of exchanging data.
Unique Identification – Products with GS1 barcodes are uniquely identified in the market. They are different from every other type of product already available in the market which benefits marketplaces, retailers, manufacturers, and consumers. Every product variant is assigned a distinct Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) which strengthens trust between different parties by providing detailed and accurate product information.
Building Greater Confidence – When businesses build products and services around standards, they will have greater confidence in their outputs. Eventually, such businesses will be able to garner trust and recognition among consumers, marketplaces and trading partners in the long run.
Cost-effective Solutions – Businesses that have a standardised approach to supplying products in the market, benefit from reduced operational costs and implementation effort. They do not have to create a tailored approach for every partner they deal with, enabling them to easily exchange data electronically with all trading partners in a structured manner.
Mutually Beneficial Solutions – These standards are mutually beneficial to everyone, even if the trading partners are not directly involved or are indirectly linked by a mediator. The GS1 barcodes can be scanned by all of them and information can be accessed by different partners or consumers using scanners or mobile phones.

The Benefits of GS1 Barcodes

Barcodes are machine-readable graphical representations that are designed to carry product data. They are used to automatically capture data and use it in various scenarios. There are two formats of barcodes – 1D barcodes and 2D barcodes. 1D barcodes are a series of black and white parallel vertical lines whereas 2D barcodes are patterns of squares and dots arranged in a grid format. They contain information about products in a structured manner.

Barcodes contain GTIN which is a 13, 12 or 8-digit unique identification number. This GTIN has four components which are critical to trade products in the market. The first component is the country code – where the manufacturing company is registered for barcodes, company code, product code and check digit – to ensure the GTIN is accurate. See below the structure of a barcode to understand how they are standardised in order to meet GS1 requirements.

Below mentioned are some of the benefits businesses enjoy once they get registered for GS1 barcodes –

Elevated Accuracy – With standardised barcodes, businesses benefit from smooth and error-free processes. Product information is directly pulled from the barcode pasted on the product which reduces errors that are caused due to manual listing.
Streamlined Inventory Management – Barcodes facilitate real-time inventory information which helps businesses avoid situations like overstocking and stock-outs. Sellers can utilise this information to increase their process efficiency.
Targeted Product Recalls – With barcodes, manufacturers can trace the entire journey of their products, right from their manufacturing to the retailers. By doing so, manufacturers can raise product recall alerts of any specific lot unfit for consumption.
Detailed Product Information – Barcodes encode detailed product information such as product name, manufacturer’s name, date of expiry and manufacturing, nutrient information, usage instructions etc. This information can be accessed by simply adding the GTIN details on the Smart Consumer app or on the GTIN Validation service portal of GS1 India.
Maximised Customer Experience – Consumers today are more aware of their purchases. When they are provided with easy and accessible information about the product they are buying, they feel empowered and businesses enjoy enhanced customer experience.
Faster Listing on Online Marketplaces – With barcodes, retailers can list their products on e-marketplaces such as Amazon, faster and more efficiently. Amazon, which is also an e-marketplace, recommends the use of GTIN to list products on their platform.

How to Generate Barcodes Compliant with GS1 Standards?

GS1 India is the only authority in India which is authorised to issue barcodes to companies manufacturing products in India. Barcodes starting with ‘890’ are the only interoperable and standardised barcodes in India. Every GS1 member organisation has a separate country code and ‘890’ is the country code of India. Companies who wish to sell products in India need to obtain these authorised barcodes.

Find below the steps to apply for GS1 Barcodes –

Step 1: Visit the ‘Register for Barcodes’ page on GS1 India’s website.

Step 2: Enter your business email or PAN card details where asked.

Step 3: A form will open, complete the form and submit documents as and when asked.

Step 4: In the form, you will be asked to select your subscription model. GS1 India has subscription models for barcodes ranging from 100 to 100000. Please note that the subscription model once selected cannot be changed, to switch companies will have to purchase a new barcode license. It is therefore advised that businesses consider their current and future requirements before they make any purchase.

Step 5: Once you have completed the form, review all the details once and then click submit. After this, you will be asked to pay one-time registration fees and subscription fees.

Step 6: Within 7-10 working days you will receive an allotment letter and your Global Company Prefix (GCP) which can be used to generate GTINs for your products.

Conclusion

GS1 standards play an imperative role in building a standards-based supply chain. They streamline a product’s journey from source to shelf and make every step in the supply chain transparent. Businesses benefit from streamlined processes and accountability at every level. If you are a new business person looking to supply products globally, GS1 barcodes are a one-stop solution for you. To make sure your barcodes are compliant with the GS1 standards you can explore GS1 India’s ‘Barcode Verification’ service.

Understanding Datakart: Revolutionizing Product Data Management

Posted on January 17, 2025January 20, 2025 by Heena

In a world with billions of products, keeping track of every piece of information, manually, can be overwhelming. Interestingly, until the mid-2010s, this manual tracking of product data was very common. Businesses used to rely heavily on manual data entry practices, which included – maintaining spreadsheets, physical catalogues and basic databases that lacked key features. These time-consuming methods were prone to inefficiencies, inconsistent information, limited accessibility and had restricted data update capabilities.

To mitigate these challenges and streamline product data management, GS1 India launched its DataKart service in 2016. In this blog, you will be introduced to GS1 DataKart, and its advantages and learn the steps of DataKart login.

Introduction to DataKart

DataKart was introduced in the Indian market by the industry to help the industry. GS1 India collaborated with key industry stakeholders to implement a common product data management system for Indian businesses. Right after it was launched, it became a single source of reliable information for retailers, online marketplaces, institutional buyers and even millions of Kirana stores. It is a nationalised repository of retailed products and contains information on different product attributes like regulatory information, marketing information, packaging information, legal information and also information on product quality.

DataKart makes it possible for different departments of a business to seamlessly share, upload and edit product information in real-time. It enables the sharing of accurate and updated data on the Stock Keeping Units (SKUs) with the retailers in a standardised, structured and timely manner. In addition, it empowers consumers by facilitating access to authentic product information through the Smart Consumer Application.

What is DataKart?

DataKart is an online, cloud-based service developed by GS1 India to promote the upload and exchange of reliable product information between multiple shareholders like retailers, manufacturers, online shopping sites etc. It facilitates automated product information exchange that is real-time, which was not possible earlier in outdated product data management systems.

DataKart’s product database is used by thousands of brand owners, retailers/e-tailers and solution providers in the Indian market to ensure they get authentic information at a centralized location. Introduction to DataKart has removed dependency from third-party crowd-sourced information which has helped retailers and businesses regulate the supply and procurement of products in the market. Retailers such as Amazon, Flipkart, More, Big Basket, Reliance, Jio Mart, etc. use DataKart to benefit from its unique features.

DataKart for Brand Owners

For brand owners, GS1 India DataKart works as a single platform to connect with retailers and multiple online marketplaces. With the help of DataKart, brand owners consolidate their data and share it on a single platform.

Below mentioned are some of the benefits that brand owners enjoy with DataKart.

Manage Product Codes & Generate Barcodes – With DataKart you can generate product codes like GTIN/EAN or UPC on one platform. This will eliminate the chances of wrong or duplicate code assignment to products. Additionally, you can view the complete product lifecycle right from its history.
Instant Product Update – Product data can be viewed by retailers in their native file formats and you can receive instant acknowledgement from retailers on any information changes.
Minimised Inconsistencies – DataKart helps ensure product information is consistent and accurate across all the platforms. Whatever information the manufacturers/brand owners upload on the DataKart platform gets updated throughout the systems. This will eliminate the chances of wrong or duplicate code assignment to products.
Upload Product Images as per Global Standards – ClickIt is an app that helps manufacturers take catalogue-ready pictures of their products. These pictures once taken get automatically synced with the DataKart account of the manufacturers wherein they can edit them as per global imaging standards.
Compliance with Regulations – DataKart ensures compliance with regulations as brand owners can link product codes such as GTIN/EAN and UPC with Harmonised System Nomenclature (HSN) codes through DataKart. These codes when linked will help retailers in efficiently categorising all the goods for tax or regulatory purposes, empowering them to meet the tax requirements smoothly.

Brand owners can also enter FSSAI, AGMARK, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, etc. regulatory information on their product detail page through DataKart.

Reach Consumers – Once your product details are uploaded and verified, they automatically get reflected on the Smart Consumer app. Through the Smart Consumer app, you can run promotions of your new product launches and reach consumers instantly.
Implementation Support – GS1 India provides implementation support to all users. You get a dedicated technical support team and timely implementation support without fail.

DataKart for Retailers

Retailers and e-commerce marketplaces have to manage a large variety of Stock Keeping Units (SKUs). DataKart helps them by providing information on different products straight from the manufacturers. This eliminates the flow of wrong information and empowers them in multiple ways,

Some of which are mentioned below –

Verifiable Product Information – Information available on the DataKart platform is verified and trusted. It is sourced from the manufacturers of the products which validates the authenticity and reliability of the information. Verified information ensures there is no exchange of misleading product information.
Optimised Planogramming – With DataKart you can obtain high-quality product images which can help you optimise your retail shelves by leveraging data received on the size and weight of the products (SKUs).
Sync with Master Data Management Systems – DataKart can be directly synced with retail-level master data management systems (MDM). This ensures that product information is consistent across all the systems.

How DataKart is Revolutionising Product Data Management

DataKart is making it possible for businesses and retailers to easily access accurate and trusted product information in a commonplace. This service has enabled multiple businesses to realise their business goals and solve issues pertaining to outdated, incomplete and wrong data on products. Similar were the challenges that were faced by Indian retailers and marketplaces like Big Basket. They wanted to verify product details from around the globe and access accurate and up-to-date product information.

DataKart has been continuously tailored to meet the required expectations and requirements of businesses. In June 2019, GS1 India DataKart enhanced its capabilities by leveraging GS1’s ‘Verified by GS1’ initiative, enabling it to serve a global audience. Retailers and marketplaces like BigBasket took advantage of this opportunity and are verifying GTINs of global products through DataKart. Today, these businesses remain consistently informed, receiving timely notifications whenever a brand owner updates product information.

With the help of DataKart, retailers and marketplaces like BigBasket can validate GTINs before they onboard new products, speeding up the identification of duplicates. DataKart has enabled marketplaces like BigBasket to reduce their catalogue errors by almost 80% and has facilitated faster product listing with information being already uploaded on the platform.

DataKart Login: How to Access and Get Started

Follow the below-mentioned steps to create your DataKart account and start your journey of seamless product data management.

Registering as a business owner

Step 1: To access GS1 India DataKart, retailers, marketplaces and business owners first need to get registered for barcodes. To get registered, visit the ‘Register for Barcodes’ page on GS1 India’s website or simply follow this link – https://www.gs1india.org/content/register-for-barcodes/.
Step 2: Click on the ‘Register Now’ button, you will then be asked to complete the barcode registration form. Enter your company details, contact details, and other necessary information as asked in the form.
Step 3: Submit required documents such as your PAN card copy, your P&L page, a copy of GST/VAT/TIN etc.
Step 4: Select the number of barcodes – 100,1000,10000 or 100000 and select the subscription validity period. It is recommended companies consider any business expansion goals before selecting the number of barcodes. Barcode licence once obtained cannot be renewed or updated.
Step 5: Complete the process by paying one-time registration fees along with the subscription fee. You will receive a copy of your allotment letter within 7-10 working days. In your allotment letter, you will find your Global Company Prefix (GCP) which can be used to log into your DataKart account.

Registering as a Retailer/E-commerce Marketplace

Step 1: Visit the ‘DataKart for Retailers’ page on GS1 India’s website or simply follow this link – https://www.gs1india.org/datakart-retailers/
Step 2: Click on the Registration button on the Register As Retailer/E-Commerce Marketplace banner as shown below.
Step 3: Fill the registration form. Enter your user details and contact information and click on the register button on the form.
Step 4: Once you do this GS1 India’s team will reach out to you for registration. After registration, you will be provided with your username and password for the GS1 India datakart login.

Conclusion

DataKart continues to be the one-stop solution for retailers/etailers/business owners in India. It is committed to making your journey of product data management efficient, structured and reliable. Reach globally with GS1 datakart and share information with data aggregators and the GS1 global registry and authenticate information of products manufactured in other member organisations. Benefit from reduced PO mismatches and wrong dispatches and ensure product information is complete, accurate and on time with GS1 India DataKart.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is GS1 a government company?

GS1 India is a supply chain standards organisation set up by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, CII, ASSOCHAM, FIEO, IMC, APEDA, Spices Board, IIP and BIS.

2. How to login to the GS1 portal?

You can log in to the GS1 DataKart portal using your Global Company Prefix (GCP) provided to you along with your allotment letter.

3. How to register a GS1 account?

To register for GS1 Barcodes you can visit the ‘Register for Barcodes’ page of GS1 India, complete the registration form and pay the fees.

4. Can I generate my barcode?

Yes, you can generate your barcodes through GS1 India’s DataKart platform.

5. What kind of businesses can benefit from DataKart?

DataKart is beneficial for several B2B, B2G and B2C companies. It is a powerful product data management service for retailers, brand owners and e-commerce marketplaces.

6. Is DataKart secure for managing product data?

Yes, DataKart is secure for managing product data. It ensures data security through its SSL-secure server. Product data is made available only on a need basis and only to authorised people.

7. What support services are available for DataKart users?

DataKart users get coupon redemption services and on-time implementation support services.

8. Can I integrate DataKart with other business systems?

Yes, DataKart can be integrated with ERP systems, POS systems, and other software to improve and streamline processes.

Month: January 2025

Benefits of Purchasing EANs Directly from GS1: A Guide for all Brand owners

Introduction

The Importance of EANs/GTINs for Brand Owners