GS1 Identification Standards
The underpinning foundation of the GS1 System of Standards is the provision of a unique number that can be used internationally for identification throughout the supply chain. This number is known as a GS1 Identification Key.
GS1 identification (ID) keys used to uniquely and unambiguously identify everything is a supply chain - all products (trade items), logistics units, locations, entities, documents, assets, services and relationships.
All GS1 identification keys can be encoded/combined with automatic identification and data capture (AIDC) technologies like Barcodes or RFID tags.
Below is the list of 11 GS1 ID keys used to identify different items:
|
ID Key |
Used to Identify |
Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Products and services |
Biscuit packet, chocolate bar, shirt, handbag, mixer/juicer |
|
|
Entities and locations |
Companies, warehouses, factories, stores, hospitals, farms |
|
|
Logistics units |
Unit loads on cartons, pallets, parcels, containers |
|
|
Returnable assets |
Pallet cases, crates, totes |
|
|
Assets |
Medical, manufacturing, transport, office and IT equipment |
|
|
Service provider and recipient relationships |
Loyalty scheme members, doctors at a hospital, library members |
|
|
Documents |
Birth & death certificates, trade licenses, academic or other certificates |
|
|
Consignments |
Logistics units transported together in an ocean container |
|
|
Shipments |
Logistics units delivered to a customer together |
|
|
Coupons |
Digital coupons |
|
|
Components and parts |
Automobile parts |