GS1 System

 

GS1 Identifications Keys (ID Keys)

 

There are nine GS1 Identification Keys that support the identification of items, services, locations, logistic units, returnable containers, etc. The GS1 Company Prefix assigned to a user company allow that user company to create any of the GS1 identification keys.

 

Gobal Trade Item Number (GTIN)

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The Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) is a number used for the unique identification of trade items (products or services) worldwide. GTINs are assigned to any item, product or service, that may be priced, or ordered, or invoiced at any point of the supply chain. It is then used to retrieve pre-defined information about the item from databases, thus laying the foundation for an efficient sharing of information. The key benefit is that information about the item can be retrieved about the product from the GTIN whether it is read in a GS1 BarCodes symbol, exchanged via a GS1 eCom message or accessed from the GS1 Global Data Synchronization Network (GDSN).

 

There are four ways to construct a GTIN

 

 

These GTIN data structure can be readily encoded as an EAN/UPC Barcode or an ITF-14. By preceding the GTIN Data Structure by GS1 AI (01), the GTIN can be encoded as any of the other GS1 BarCodes or EPC/RFID Tag.

 

The GTIN numbering system does not contain any meaningful information in itself. It serves as a simple pointer to database information that can be used by a company. It provides access to information on trade items held in  a computer file. The GTIN, regardless of data structure, provides a unique number, when right justified with leading zeros, in a 14-digit field. Thus, it is recommended that a GTIN be represented in software applications as 14-digits by right justifying and with leading zeros.

 

Numbering Structure

Global Trade Item Number

Check Digit

T1

T2

T3

T4

T5

T6

T7

T8

T9

T10

T11

T12

T13

T14

GTIN-14

N2

N2

N3

N4

N5

N6

N7

N8

N9

N10

N11

N12

N13

N14

GTIN-13

0

N1

N2

N3

N4

N5

N6

N7

N8

N9

N10

N11

N12

N13

GTIN-12

0

0

N1

N2

N3

N4

N5

N6

N7

N8

N9

N10

N11

N12

GTIN-8

0

0

0

0

0

0

N1

N2

N3

N4

N5

N6

N7

N8

 

 

This table summarizes the GTIN attributes in a GTIN or GS1 Compliant Database. T1 is the Indicator, T2-T13 are the GS1 Company Prefix and Item Reference Number and T14 is the Check Digit.

 

Each trade item that is different from another is allocated or assigned its own separate number. This means that a separate unique GTIN is required whenever any of the pre-defined characteristics of an item are different in any way that is relevant to the trading process. The guiding principle is if the customer is expected to distinguish a new trade item from an old trade item and purchase accordingly, a new GTIN should be assigned. For help implementing GTINs, visit our GTIN Allocation Rules.

 

The GS-1 Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) only identifies the product type or stock-keeping unit (SKU) rather than an individual instance of a particular product type. In other words, a GTIN can be thought of related to a generic object namely the trade item or SKU for which it is a pointer.

 

There are instances in the supply chain when it is not enough to identify an object generically. For instance, in the case of traceability, a trade item should be identified more specifically, this can be done by adding to the GTIN some specific attributes of the trade item such as batch or lot number and in the case of food and drug best before or expiration date.

 

Furthermore, there are instances, when it is necessary to identify trade items uniquely, for instance a television set. In such cases, it is not enough to use the GTIN or the GTIN + Batch or Lot Number. To identify a trade item uniquely a GTIN + Serial Number is used.

 

Type of Object	Generic Name	Add-On
Unique	GTIN	Serial Number
Specific	GTIN	Batch or Lot Number
Generic	GTIN

 

 

The Serialized Global Trade Item Number is a new identity type based on the GS-1 Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) code defined in the General GS1 Specifications. A GTIN by itself does not fit the definition of an EPC pure identity, because it does not uniquely identify a single physical object. Instead, a GTIN identifies a particular class of object, such as a particular kind of product or SKU. To create a unique identifier for individual objects, the GTIN is augmented with a serial number, which the managing entity is responsible for assigning uniquely to individual object classes. The combination of GTIN and a unique serial number is called a Serialized GTIN (SGTIN). The SGTIN consists of the following information elements:

 

 

The serial number is not part of the GTIN code, but is formally a part of the SGTIN.

 

 

Global Location Number (GLN)

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The Global Location Number (GLN) is the GS1 Identification Key to identify locations, legal entities and functional departments. Locations can be a physical place such as a warehouse, building, delivery point or even a specific shelf within a store; legal entities can be a company or an organization; functional departments such as purchasing department, nurse station or ward. The Global Location Number (GLN) is a 13-digit number used to uniquely identify and legal entity, functional entity or physical location. Its basic components are a GS1 Company Prefix, a Location Reference and a check digit. The GS1 Company Prefix is the globally unique number assigned to a company by GS1 Philippines or any other GS1 Member Organization. The Location Reference Number is the number assigned by the holder of the GS1 Company Prefix to identify locations within the company. The check digit is a single digit number used to ensure data integrity.

 

The GLN is constructed as follows:

 

GS1 Company Prefix>         <Location Reference

Check Digit

N1

N2

N3

N4

N5

N6

N7

N8

N9

N10

N11

N12

N13

 

By preceding the GLN Data Structure by GS1 AI (414), the GLN can be encoded as any of the other GS1 BarCodes or EPC/RFID Tag to identify a physical location.

 

The following illustration shows how a GS1 Member Company can implement GLN in his structure

 

 

 

Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC)

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The Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC) is a number, which is used for the unique identification of logistic units. A logistic unit is an item of any composition established for transport and/or storage which needs to be managed throughout the supply chain. The SSCC is assigned for the life time of the transport item and is a mandatory element on the GS1 Logistic Label using Application Identifier (00).

 

The Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC) is an 18-digit number consisting of a single digit Indicator, the GS1 Company Prefix Company, Serial Reference Number and a single digit check digit. The Extension Digit has no defined logic and is available to member companies to increase the capacity of the Serial Reference. The GS1 Company Prefix is the globally unique number assigned to a company by GS1 Philippines or any other GS1 Member Organization. The Serial Reference Number is the number assigned by the holder of the GS1 Company Prefix to identify logistic unit. The check digit is a single digit number used to ensure data integrity.

 

The Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC)is constructed as follows:

 

Extension Digit

GS1 Company Prefix>                                          <Serial Reference

Check Digit

N1

N1

N2

N3

N4

N5

N6

N7

N8

N9

N10

N11

N12

N13

N14

N15

N16

N17

 

 

Asset Identification

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There two GS1 Identification Keys for Asset Identification – Returnable Asset Identifier and Individual Asset Identifier.

 

Global Returnable Asset Identifier (GRAI)

 

A returnable asset is a re-usable package or transport equipment of value, such as trays, pallets, crates, gas cylinders and beer kegs. In other words, these are valuable assets used to transport objects to customer and then returned to be used again.

 

The Global Returnable Asset Identifier (GRAI) is used to identify returnable assets. It is used to enable tracking as well as recording of all relevant data. The key is comprised of a GS1 Company Prefix, Asset Type, Check Digit and an optional serial number. The GS1 Company Prefix is the globally unique number assigned to a company by GS1 Philippines or any other GS1 Member Organization. The Asset Reference Number is the number assigned by the holder of the GS1 Company Prefix to identify a returnable asset. The check digit is a single digit number used to ensure data integrity. Serial Number is a numeric or alpha-numeric characters that may be assigned by the company with a maximum length of 16 digit.

 

Examples of Returnable Assets:

 

 

 

The Global Returnable Asset Identifier (GRAI) is constructed as follows:

 

Company Prefix>                      <Asset Reference

Check Digit

Serial Number (Optional)

0

N1

N2

N3

N4

N5

N6

N7

N8

N9

N10

N11

N12

N13

X1...X16 (variable)

 

The GRAI identifies the asset being used for the purpose of tracking its location and return. It can be used for tracking purposes only or as part of a hiring or rental system where companies collaborate on the use of these assets

 

Global Individual Asset Identifier (GIAI)

 

The Global Individual Asset Identifier (GIAI) is part of the GS1 system of standards. It is a simple tool to identify an asset by type and can identify assets uniquely where required. It is used to uniquely identify fixed assets of value within a company such as office equipment, computers, vehicles and equipments.

 

The Global Individual Asset Identifier (GIAI) is composed of a GS1 Company Prefix and Individual Asset Reference. A GIAI is of variable length. The maximum length of its two components combines is 30 digits. The GS1 Company Prefix is the globally unique number assigned to a company by GS1 Philippines or any other GS1 Member Organization. The Individual Asset Reference Number is a numeric or alpha-numeric number assigned by the holder of the GS1 Company Prefix to identify the individual asset.

 

The Global Individual Asset Identifier (GIAI) is constructed as follows:

 

GS1 Company Prefix>	<Individual Asset Reference>
N1...Ni (7 ≤ i ≤ 10)	Xi+1...Xj (j ≤ 30)

 

This could be a computer, a desk or a component part of an aircraft. It enables assets to be individually recorded as part of a fixed asset inventory control system. In simple terms this means any individual asset within a company of any value that needs to be identified uniquely.

 

 

Global Service Relation Number (GSRN)

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The Global Service Relation Number (GSRN) consists of a GS1 Company Prefix, a Location Reference and a check digit. The GS1 Company Prefix is the globally unique number assigned to a company by GS1 Philippines or any other GS1 Member Organization. The Service Reference Number is the number assigned by the holder of the GS1 Company Prefix to identify service reference. The check digit is a single digit number used to ensure data integrity. This means that it is used to identify the relationship between a service provider and a service recipient.

 

The GRSN is used to identify the recipient of services in the context of a service relationship in the context of a service relation. It is used to enable access to enable access to the database entry for recording recurring services. These services are considered to be activities carried out by a service provider for a service user, based upon a bilateral agreement. This means that the GSRN identifies a particular service arrangement with reference to a particular service provider and to a particular user. It does not constitute a person’s personal number since it is always related to a given service arrangement. In some instances, it may be used to identify the user as a participant (or member) in a programme or scheme like a loyalty program.

 

The Global Service Relation Number (GSRN) is constructed as follows:

 

GS1 Company Prefix>             <Service Reference

Check Digit

N1

N2

N3

N4

N5

N6

N7

N8

N9

N10

N11

N12

N13

N14

N15

N16

N17

N18

 

 

Global Document Type Identifier (GDTI)

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The Global Document Type Identifier (GDTI) is used to identify documents that cover any official or private papers that infer a right or obligation upon the bearer, such as proof of shipment forms, insurance policies and internal invoices. A company will issue a GDTI where it is important to maintain a record of the document.

 

The Global Document Type Identifier (GDTI) will identify and enable bar coding of any document that requires document control. The GDTI will identify the class or type of document. In many cases individual document identification will also be required and for this an optional serial number can be used to uniquely identify each document. The allocation of numbers is always under the control of the issuing party. The GDTI itself has no meaning and this allows the document number to be looked-up in a secure database and its associated information retrieved only by the document issuer. If you are a business or organization that issues documents that require tracking and control GDTI is a simple tool to enable this.

 

The Global Document Type Identifier (GDTI) can be used to identify such documents as land registration papers, tax demands, proof of shipment/receipt forms, custom’s clearance forms, insurance policies, invoices, national press documents, contracts, transporting company documents, and medical documents.

 

The Global Document Type Identifier (GDTI) consists of a GS1 Company Prefix, document reference number, a single digit check digit and an optional serial number. The GS1 Company Prefix is the globally unique number assigned to a company by GS1 Philippines or any other GS1 Member Organization. The Document Reference Number is the number assigned by the holder of the GS1 Company Prefix to identify the type of document. The check digit is a single digit number used to ensure data integrity. An optional serial number is a variable numeric number (maximum length of 17 digits) for the identification of the individual document.

 

The Global Document Type Identifier (GDTI) is constructed as follows

 

GS1 Company Prefix>          <Doc Reference

Check Digit

Serial Number (Optional)

N1

N2

N3

N4

N5

N6

N7

N8

N9

N10

N11

N12

N13

N1...N17 (variable)

 

 

Transport Identifiers

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There are two identifiers used by the transport & Logistics sector.

 

 

Global Shipment Identification Number(GSIN)

 

The Global Shipment Identification Number is used to identify a grouping of logistic units for the purpose of a transport shipment from a consignor to a consignee referencing a dispatch advice and/or bill of lading.

 

GS1 Company Prefix>                               <Shipper Reference

Check Digit

N1

N2

N3

N4

N5

N6

N7

N8

N9

N10

N11

N12

N13

N14

N15

N16

N17

 

 

Global Identification Number for Consignment(GINC)

 

The Global Identification Number for Consignment is used to identify a logical grouping of logistic units that are assembled to be transported together under one transport document. A consignment identifies a grouping for transport purposes and must not be confused with a shipment which identifies a grouping for trade purposes.

 

GS1 Company Prefix>	<Consignment Reference>
N1...Ni (7 ≤ i ≤ 10)	Xi+1...Xj (j ≤ 30)

 

 

 

Electronic Product Code (EPC)

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The Electronic Product Code (EPC) is a unique number that is used to identify a specific item in the supply chain. The EPC is stored on a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, which combines a silicon chip and an antenna. Once the EPC is retrieved from the tag, it can be associated with dynamic data held in a secured database such as where an item originated or the date of its production. Much like a Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) or Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), the EPC is the key that unlocks the power of the information systems that are part of the EPCglobal Network™.

 

The EPC structure is as follows

 

 

 

 

The following table shows the relation between an EPC and GS1 Key Code (GS1 Identification Key + Serial Number)

 

Identity Type	Tag Encoding	Related GS1 ID Key Code
Serialized Global Item Trade Number (SGTIN)	SGTIN-64 SGTIN-96	Global Item Trade Number (GTIN) + Serial Number
Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC)	SSCC-64 SSCC-96	Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC)
Serialized Global Location Number (SGLN)	GLN-64 SGLN-96	Global Location Number (GLN) + Serial Number
Global Returnable Asset Identifier (GRAI)	GRAI-64 GRAI-96	Global Returnable Asset Identifier (GRAI)
Global Individual Asset Identifier (GIAI)	GIAI-64 GIAI-96	Global Individual Asset Identifier (GIAI)

 

The following example shows how the GS1 Key Code (01)0614141007349(21)203886 is transformed to the EPC or Electronic Product Code 0614141.000734.203886

 

 

 

*The check digit of the GTIN is omitted.