GS1 Compliance for Suppliers

Solutions and product offerings should be based on Global Standards (this is becoming a feature on tenders).  As Irish healthcare providers start to request GS1 compliance in tenders, learn here about how you can become GS1 compliant:

IDENTIFY

Products should be labelled with GS1 compliant barcodes.  Your Company, as a legal entity, should be identified with a GS1 Global Location Number.

Industry is choosing GS1 as the global standard for the healthcare supply chain.  Check within your organisation if you are already a member of GS1; if not you can contact us to discuss further or join online today.

Product Identification = GTIN (Global Trade Item Number)

Company Identification = GLN (Global Location Number)

SHARE

Data – Product master data should be published to the National Product Catalogue.  This requires you to gather and verify internal data which relates to the products you are supplying to the Irish market.  If your organisation is not currently publishing data to a GDSN (Global Data Synchronisation Network) certified datapool then you may need to talk to us to understand more.  Note; the Irish NPC is a GDSN-certified datapool which means it can send and receive data from other GDSN-certified datapools.

Messaging – move from paper-based procurement to standardised electronic messages for orders, despatch notices and invoices, based on GS1 XML 3.0.  If you are ready to engage in eProcurement in Irish healthcare please contact us to discuss further.

Other points for consideration:

Hardware: scanners should be able to read 2D DataMatrix Symbols as this is the preferred data carrier for healthcare.

Software: software should be GS1 compliant i.e. it can process the information in the DataMatrix Symbols.