Ontrace FAQ

• I already have a Global Location Number (GLN) through OnTrace. Do I need a Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) as well?

  • A Global Location Number (GLN) enables you to uniquely identify locations ranging from an entire farm, to an apple orchard, to a section of a warehouse shelf, with no risk of number duplication. This facilitates improved traceability across Ontario's agricultural community.
    
    For those organizations who wish to further enhance their capacity to engage in traceability, a Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) enables you to uniquely identify your product(s), in compliance with global industry standards, which can help you to sell your products in Canada and internationally, and increase customer loyalty to your brand. A GTIN is also required to create a bar code for your product(s).

• Why should I invest in a Global Trade Item Number (GTIN)?
  • GS1 bar codes connect items back to you - they are identifiers unique to your organization. A bar code can be used to identify:
    
    A product: a bar code with a GS1 Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) is a unique product identifier that complies with global industry standards, helping you to sell your products in Canada and internationally, and increase customer loyalty to your brand.
    
    GS1 Canada also issues GS1 DataBar(TM), a bar code specifically for unique identification of hard-to-mark products like produce and other perishable items that:
    
    •Incorporates information such as serial numbers, lot numbers, and expiration dates.
    •Helps eliminate lost revenue resulting from the mis-identification of organic versus non-organic products
    •Supports traceability and visibility within the supply chain, speeding product replenishment
    
    More information on the value of GS1 Canada membership can be found here:
• What do I need to do to create a Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) and bar code for my products?

  • The first thing you need to do is become a GS1 Canada member. You can apply for membership on our website, or contact us directly at 1-800-567-7084, option 3, where we will walk you through the process.

    Once your membership has been approved, GS1 Canada will provide you with all the necessary information to activate your membership. This information will enable you to create GTIN(s), and subsequently bar codes for your products.

• How do I become a GS1 member?

  • GS1 Canada has a number of membership levels available, based on your company's needs and annual revenue. We have recently introduced three new membership levels to ensure that organizations of all sizes and revenues have access to GS1 Canada's services.

    To determine which level is best suited for your business, visit our website at www.gs1ca.org, click on "need a barcode" and determine which membership level you are eligible for, based on your needs and annual revenue.

    If you do not have access to a computer, or have questions about pricing, you can contact us directly at 1-800-567-7084, option 3.

    Click here for a list of the different membership levels available:

    Once your membership has been approved, GS1 Canada will provide you with all the necessary information to activate your membership. This information will enable you to create GTIN(s), and subsequently bar codes for your products.

• How much is GS1 Canada membership?

  • As a not-for-profit organization, member fees are calculated on a cost recovery basis. Membership fees are dependent on the number of products you need to bar code as well as your annual revenues. More detailed pricing information can be found here. Alternatively, you can contact us at 1-800-567-7084, option 3.

• I have created my GTIN(s) for my products. What's next?

  • Once you create your bar code numbers (GTINs), you can either have them printed externally through a solution provider or print them yourself using bar code printing software. GS1 Canada provides its members with a list of solution providers in this regard.

    In the case of loose produce, once you have your bar code stickers, you can apply them to your produce. If your products are packaged, your bar code must be printed directly on your packaging. You are now ready to go!