GS1 System introduction
The GS1 System is a set of global standards, which enable the unique identification of all trade items, processes, services, shipments, assets, companies and locations at any point in the supply chain. The system can be used by all industries to facilitate trade by combining unique identification numbers with data carriers (barcodes) and electronic commerce processes.
The three main components of the GS1 System 
are:
- Standard numbering structures for the identification of goods, services, shipments, assets and locations
- Data carriers (usually a barcode) to represent the identification numbers in machine readable format
- eMessaging standards to transmit the captured data between trading partners
The GS1 System is a universal global standard - so all users follow the same coding rules. As a result, GS1 numbers and barcodes can be recognised by trading partners anywhere in the world.
What's more, the numbers issued by GS1 are completely unique, so no product can be confused for another.
The GS1 System is administered by GS1 Global, based in Brussels. With member organisations in over 100 countries, the integrity and compatibility of the system worldwide is ensured.
Nearly one million organisations in over 145 counties use the system. However, because it was first developed for the retail industry, GS1 numbers and barcodes remain most visible on supermarket products.
It is important to understand that the same system can be used in any sector of industry at all levels of manufacturing and distribution. In Australia, major system adopters include the Health, Steel, Hardware, Electrical Appliances, Furniture, Meat and Telecommunications industries. The system is even used for fire brigades and electricity generators.
The GS1 System offers benefits to all parties (trading partners, manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers) in the trading cycle by reducing costs, saving time, and increasing accuracy and efficiency through management of the entire supply chain.
