GS1 standards define how items are identified and marked. Although GS1 confusingly markets itself as the source to apply for a barcode, it is really their standards that provide the framework for the identification for many industries. Companies rely on their licensing of numbering structures for unique identification and their technical guidelines for barcode and […]
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GS1 Lowers Minimum Quantity for UPC GTINs
November 24, 2020 in Standards
For the past 45 years, GS1 US (formerly the Uniform Code Council) has been the standards organization that administers UPCs allocations. Up until now, GS1 made licensing a Company Prefix mandatory for companies who wanted to identify their products with UPC. Their cost structure was extremely harsh for small companies that might not need more […]
Frequently Asked Questions: UPC Barcodes & GS1 Company Prefixes
August 31, 2020 in Standards
As the US authority on barcoding, we assist companies from almost every industry. However, the vast majority of inquiries involve ISBN identification for books and UPC codes for products. The questions and answers below cover many of the UPC and GS1 questions we receive daily. Why do I need a UPC barcode?UPCs (aka UPC codes) […]
Barcodes for CBD (Cannabidiol) Products
May 29, 2020 in Standards
Barcodes for CBD Products Unlike THC products sold at designated medical and recreational dispensaries, CBD products are now available in a wide range of retailers across the globe. Aside from global item identification, CBD products are required by certain states to have additional QR barcodes. The information below will provide guidance on exactly what CBD […]
Verified By GS1: Building Trust and Efficiency
February 25, 2020 in Standards
Verified by GS1 is the initiative, by GS1, for registering enhanced product data to help correct the abundance of incorrectly assigned GTINs and corrupted product information in global marketplaces. Today’s connected consumers work off digital shelves. They cannot physically pickup an item to evaluate so product identification and information MUST be 100% accurate. Global retailers […]
Path To Profit Is Reliant on GTINs, Data & Partnerships
December 2, 2019 in Standards
Three recent reports by GS1 and Longitude (Financial Times), provide valuable insight on characteristics of profitable successful companies. Over the past 6 years $17 billion dollars of retail consumer packaged goods sales have moved away from larger established vendors to small brands. There has never been a better time for a small brand to disrupt […]
GS1-128 Shipping Label Implementation Report Released
October 11, 2019 in Standards
A Must Read for Retailers, Suppliers and 3rd Party Providers UCC/EAN Standards have existed in some form for many years, but 15 years ago the GS1 Global organization as we know it took shape. Now, 15 years later, seems like an opportune time to take a broad look at the state of US retailer labeling […]
How Many UPC Barcodes Does My Company Need?
June 26, 2019 in Standards
Whether you are just starting out or have been assigning UPCs for years, it is important to have a handle on how many UPCs you need. Likely the most important consideration is cost – GS1 Company Prefixes come with an upfront membership fee and annual renewal fees. Acquire a prefix that has less assignments than […]
GS1 Connect 2019 : Annual Standards Conference
May 13, 2019 in Standards
GS1 Connect 2019: Denver, CO June 19-21 GS1 is the global identification standards organization and has local offices around the globe. Every year, GS1 offers a very comprehensive conference for their local offices and members. For companies who wish to learn about the details of the identification standards, there are extensive educational tracks available. […]
Walmart Announces GTIN changes for US Suppliers
April 23, 2019 in Standards
Attention Walmart Suppliers! Cleanup needed in the GTIN aisle Walmart recently announced big changes to its item setup requirements. All new items will require GTINs assigned to all levels of packaging – the each, warehouse pack, case pack, and pallet will all need a unique GTIN. The requirements follow the GS1 Standards for GTIN allocation and […]