What is GS1 and what are its benefits? 🏷️

What is GS1 and what are its benefits? 🏷️

In today’s globalized world, efficiency and transparency in the supply chain are fundamental to the success of any company. This is where GS1 comes into play, a global nonprofit organization that develops and maintains standards for the identification and communication of business information.

GS1 provides a common language for businesses, allowing them to identify, capture, and share information about products, locations, and more. This is achieved mainly through the assignment of unique bar codes and other standardized identifiers, such as the GTIN (Global Trade Item Number).

Benefits of using GS1 standards:

• Greater efficiency: Automation of data capture and reduction of manual errors.
• Improved traceability: Tracking products throughout the supply chain.
• Cost reduction: Savings thanks to efficiency and accuracy.
• Greater visibility: Better overall view of inventory.
• Facilitated international trade: Standards recognized worldwide.
• Improved collaboration: Efficient information exchange between trading partners.

How the GS1 numbering system works

The GS1 numbering system is based on assigning unique identifiers to each product, location, or entity. These identifiers can be encoded in bar codes, RFID tags, or other media to facilitate their capture and automated reading.

The GTIN is one of the key identifiers in the GS1 system. Each product receives a unique GTIN that distinguishes it from any other product in the world. This number is used to identify the product in databases, inventory management systems, and points of sale.

Why identify my products? What are the most common problems

Proper product identification is crucial for several reasons:

• Avoiding errors in the supply chain: Incorrect identification can lead to wrong shipments, delivery delays, and inventory problems.
• Facilitating inventory management: An accurate identification system allows better control of stock and makes product replenishment easier.
• Comply with regulations: In many sectors, product identification is a legal requirement, especially in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
• Improve the customer experience: Accurate product information helps customers make informed purchasing decisions.

Recurring problems due to poor identification:

• Economic losses due to shipping errors.
• Difficulty managing returns.
• Inventory problems and stockouts.
• Penalties for non-compliance with regulations.

Where can I obtain a barcode or GTIN code?

To obtain a barcode or GTIN, you must contact the GS1 organization in your country. In Spain, you can do so through the GS1 Spain: https://www.gs1es.org/.

GS1 will assign you a company prefix that will allow you to generate your own GTINs for each of your products. They will also provide you with information on how to create barcodes and how to use them correctly.

Is your item a product grouping/lot/package?

GS1 also offers standards for identifying product groupings, such as boxes, pallets, or containers. These standards make it possible to track logistic units throughout the supply chain and facilitate warehouse management and distribution.

It is important to use the appropriate identifiers for each packaging level to ensure full traceability and avoid confusion.

Our commitment to GS1 🤝

At Vetonek, we are committed to efficiency and transparency in the supply chain. That is why we use GS1 standards in the identification and management of our products.

This allows us to offer better service to our customers, ensuring the traceability of our products and the accuracy of our logistics processes.