What is GS1?

GS1 is a global, non-profit organization that develops and maintains standards for supply chains, most famously the barcodes used worldwide on products.

Founded in 1973, GS1 is responsible for assigning and managing the unique identification codes that help businesses track and trace products, assets, services, and documents in a consistent and interoperable way across industries and borders.

GS1 standards are used in industries such as:

• Retail

• Healthcare

• Logistics

• Food and beverage

• Apparel

• Medical devices
  

What is a GTIN?

GTIN stands for Global Trade Item Number. It is a unique identifier for trade items developed by GS1. A GTIN helps identify products unambiguously at every level of the supply chain, from manufacturer to end customer.

GTINs are the numbers you see under barcodes, and they come in several formats:

• GTIN-13 (common in Europe; the same as an EAN-13 barcode)

• GTIN-12 (used mainly in the U.S.; same as a UPC code)

• GTIN-14 (used for grouping items, like cartons or cases)

• GTIN-8 (for very small items)

Each GTIN is globally unique and tied to:

• A company prefix issued by GS1

• A product code

• A check digit for error detection
  

Why GTIN and GS1 Matter

These standards ensure:

• Accurate identification of products across systems and countries

• Efficient logistics, inventory, and sales operations

• Compliance with global regulations and marketplaces (like Amazon, Walmart, EU MDR)

In the context of medical devices and digital product passports, GTINs registered through GS1 are often used as part of UDI (Unique Device Identification) systems, such as in the EUDAMED database in the EU.