GS1 is a neutral and global non-profit organization that develops and maintains supply and demand chain standards across multiple sectors. It includes the numbering system that enterprises are now required to use to identify products online. These product identification forms are vital parts of any supply chain. They allow you to uniquely identify your product and manage your inventories.

1. GS1 Numbering System
Required to Identify Products Online
2016

2. Develops &
maintains
supply
demand
chains
Includes a
numbering
system that
identify
products
online
Eliminates
conflicts in
products with
same trade
numbers
Neutral &
global non-
profit
organization

3. Barcode
Pattern of dark and
light areas
Identifies products
automatically
Clothing
Groceries
Etc.
Foundin:

4. Global Trade Item Number
establishes which
product
corresponds to
which product
across
organizational
boundaries
GTIN North AmericaGTIN
Rest of the WorldGTIN
Smaller ProductsGTIN

5. European Article Number
given to a standard
barcode image that
represents the
GTIN of most
products
EAN North AmericaEAN
Rest of the WorldEAN

6. Universal Product Code
Composed of 12
numbers, mainly
used for scanning
trade items at point
of sale
UPC
United States
New Zealand

7. Why is it important for products to have
unique trade numbers?
Products with the same number causes
data conflict and that is what the GS1
numbering system tries to resolve.
million of products are listed online
• makes sure your product numbers
are unique
• manage your product catalogue
and inventories