Product Identification

Efficient supply chain management, incorporating GS1 standards provides a platform for creating an Irish Food Sector that is valuable, traceable, cost-effective and competitive. Achieving supply chain visibility and true traceability involves the implementation of a number of elements including:

• Unique product identification at all packaging levels
• Accurate, standardised product information
• Efficient and automated business transactions and data exchanges
• Electronic, standardised business forms and documents.

GS1 standards for traceability

Each of the above can be implemented through the use of various components of the GS1 system of standards namely:

• GS1 Identification Numbers (GTINs) for product identification
• Barcode or RFID tag scanning for automatic data capture
• Product information created and maintained in line with the GS1 Data Quality Framework
• The use of standardised ebusiness message formats (EANCOM EDI, XML) for documents such as orders and invoices
• Data Synchronisation for the automated exchange of product master data.