GS1.ORG >    Worldwide Sites >     search
GS1 Ireland - The global language of business
Products
Overview of GS1 System

What is it?
The GS1 System is a set of global standards which enable the unique identification of items and the communication of information about them. Items identified using the GS1 Systems include goods, services, logistics units, locations, assets and documents. The GS1 standards can be used by all industries and facilitate trade by combining unique identification numbers with data carriers and electronic commerce processes, which in turn enable systems such as inventory control, asset management and track & trace systems.

The GS1 System
The GS1 System consists of five components
  • GS1 BarCodes - standards for open, global bar code symbols
  • GS1 eCOM - standards for open, global ecommerce messages
  • GS1 GDSN - standards for a global data synchronisation network
  • GS1 EPCglobal - standards for electronic product identification and the EPC network
  • GS1 Identification Keys - globally unique item identification numbers.
GS1 Identification Keys - the foundation of the GS1 System
GS1 Identification Numbers are the keys to accessing information about an item (physical or non physical) on a computer file.

The GS1Identification Numbers are unique, non significant, international and secure. The numbers can be allocated to trade items, logistic units, locations and/or assets.

There are several number types within the system:
  1. The Global Trade Item Number (GTIN)
  2. The Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC)
  3. The Global Location Number (GLN)
  4. The Global Services Relationship Number (GSRN)
  5. The Global Returnable Asset Identifier (GRAI)
  6. The Individual Asset Identifier (GIAI)
  7. The Global Document Type Identifier (GDTI)
 
GS1 BarCodesGS1 BarCodes: Standard Data Carriers
The identification numbers and other standard data can be translated into a machine readable form, better known as a bar code. A scanner is used to read the identification number and transmit it to a computer. There are many types of data carrier (or bar code symbol) and their use depends upon a number of factors including the type of number used, the item being bar coded and their environment in which the item will be scanned. 
 
 
GS1 eCOM
GS1 eCOM: Standard Electronic Messages
The identification numbers are also used in electronic data interchange (EDI) messages to improve the speed and accuracy of data which is sent between trading partners. The GS1 standard for electronic messages is called EANCOM. The current EANCOM standard in use in Ireland is called D96A. A set of harmonised messages for EDI in Ireland (HEDI) has been issued by the eCommerce Committee.

 
GS1 GDSN                                                                          
GS1 GDSN: standards for product data sychronisation  
GS1 GDSN is a set of standards for the definition and sharing of product data via a series of interlinked certified data pools. Members can access the GDSN Netwrok in Ireland via the GS1 Ireland Data Pool Service.

 
GS1 EPCglobalGS1 EPCglobal: standards for radio frequency identification (RFID) and RF networks                           
The final component of the GS1 System is a set of standards for RFID applications packaged under the brand name EPCglobal. EPC stands for Electronic Product Code which is a number stored on an electronic tag which can be attached to products to identify them and monitor their location throughout the supply chain. In very simple terms, EPC acts like an electronic bar code. However, the EPC number and tag, combined with the EPC Network will enable far reaching and dynamic applications in the future.
Quick Links