GS1 identification numbers all begin with the same foundation – a GS1 Company Prefix. This is a special number assigned by GS1 US to the product’s brand owner and it is used to create globally unique ID numbers and barcodes for products; inner packs, cases, and pallets; locations; assets (including returnable assets like totes), and services. GS1 identification numbers are standards that allow your business to identify, capture, and share information in your global value chain.
The GS1 System of standards enables companies to:
- Identify products and locations, uniquely and globally. For example, the Global Trade Item Number® (GTIN®), the most well known GS1 identification number, is shown below the U.P.C. barcode on millions of products worldwide.
- Capture the standardized identification in a common approach via barcodes and/or EPC-based RFID tags
- Share complete and accurate information with trading partners. Item data, pricing and promotional data, purchase orders, shipping notices, invoices, product recalls, and withdrawals can be shared.
Find out more about GS1 System identification numbers:
Global Document Type Identifier (GDTI) is used to identify a document by type.
Global Individual Asset Identifier (GIAI) to identify long-lived, high value, and sensitive assets, such as office equipment, furniture, computers, manufacturing equipment, distribution center devices, and firearms.
Global Location Number (GLN) to identify locations and legal entities.
Global Returnable Asset Identifier (GRAI) to identify returnable assets, such as pallets, barrels, gas cylinders, beer kegs, rail cars and trailers.
Global Service Relation Number (GSRN) to identify service relationships such as hospital admissions, membership in frequent flyer and loyalty programs, and warranties for computers and other items.
Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) to identify products, inner packs, cases, and pallets.
Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC) to identify logistics units.