Skip to content

Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to GS1 Canada’s Help page, developed to provide quick answers to your frequently asked questions.

If you are unable to find the information you are looking for, contact our Subscriber Support team at info@gs1ca.org or 1.800.567.7084.

1
What's the difference between GTINs and barcodes?

Barcodes are the actual lines and spaces that you see on the label that can be read by a scanner at point-of-sale. The barcode is the symbology that holds the unique data associated with your product. GTINs are the numbers you see below the lines of a barcode. A Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) is used by companies to uniquely identify their products and product variations. Together, GTINs and barcodes work to help you sell your products.

3
How can I receive an additional prefix?

If you require an additional prefix, and have used all or almost all of your current company prefix capacity, review our Additional Company Prefix Request webpage for next steps.

4
How can I get barcodes for my products?

Take a look at our barcoding page for five easy steps to get your products barcoded.

5
How can I upgrade my account to include more barcodes?

Fill out the Subscription Level Upgrade Request. Once you complete the form in 1-3 business days you will receive a quote on the costs of upgrading.

For more information on our subscription levels, including the number of barcodes included in each level, visit here.

7
I am being asked by my trading partners to submit my products for imaging, how do I know what type of imaging I need?

Below are the different types of product image and data content options:

  • eCommerce Content allows you to provide your trading partners with the accurate images and on-pack data they need for their online platforms.
  • Marketing Content provides high-quality, standardized bilingual product images trading partners require to efficiently develop a range of marketing and advertising.
  • Planogram Content provides product images and precise packaging weights and dimensions trading partners require to confidently develop accurate in-store planograms for setting the store and efficiently managing product inventory.
  • Nutritional Content provides global standard bilingual images of the Nutritional Facts Tables and ingredients to inform trading partners for product inclusion in health and wellness programs or menu planning.
  • Foodservice Content enables you to capture, store and share high-quality, standardized product images that foodservice distributors and operators need for online ordering applications and electronic product catalogues, as well as outer and inner product case and case-content images.

For more information on the product image and date content options, visit here.

8
How can I become a GS1 Canada subscriber?

Here is how the process works to become a GS1 Canada subscriber:

Fill out the online subscription form.

Once you submit your form, your subscription will be processed. Once your subscription is confirmed, you will receive a welcome email with instructions on how to create your login credentials, giving you access to myGS1 and the Help Library. The former is your online portal for managing your GS1 Canada subscription and the latter is where you can learn everything about your GS1 Canada subscription, including getting barcodes for your products.

During the subscription process, you will need to have the following information on hand:

  • Your company name and mailing address.
  • Your credit card information for payment (including the card verification code).
  • Any applicable association membership information (for example ADQ, CFIG, CHFA, FCPC, etc.).
  • The total number of products that will need GTINs, the numbers used to create barcodes. Need help calculating the number of GTINs you will need? Refer to our online GTIN Estimator.

To subscribe now, click here.

9
How do I add users to my company's myGS1 account?

To add an additional user to your myGS1 account, follow these steps:

  1. Log in to myGS1 using your email and password.
  2. On the top left-hand side of the screen, select User Management.
  3. Select Add User.
  4. Fill out the required fields marked with an asterisk (*).
  5. When completed, select Save.
  6. A confirmation email will be sent to the new user's email address, requesting them to set a password and a security question.

10
How do I add users or provide access to an additional user for tools such as Product Certification, ProSYNC, eCommerce Content, etc.?

To provide access to other users in your organization:

  1. Log in to myGS1 using your email and password.
  2. On the left-hand side of the screen, select User Management.
  3. Use the drop-down menu beside Select, and select the appropriate tool.
  4. Under the Role section of the user's name, select the Pencil Icon.
  5. Confirm the correct permissions and click Save.

11
How do I know how many Global Trade Item Numbers (GTINs) and barcodes I need for my products?

Each variation (i.e. size, flavour, etc.) of each product you sell requires a unique GTIN. This helpful diagram illustrates how many GTINs and barcodes you need for your products.

You can also use our handy GTIN Estimator to calculate how many you need for your specific products.

12
How do I know when to change my GTIN?

GTINs refer to unique products and when products change substantively, it may require a new GTIN to ensure it is not confused with your older versions or other products in the value chain. GTIN Management Standards are designed to help.

Use the GS1 GTIN Management Decision Support Tool to better understand when a new GTIN is required.

Additional Resources:

For Healthcare GTIN changes, use the Healthcare GTIN Allocation Rules Decision Support Tool.

Return to section menu

1
I'm a small business - do you have a subscription option to fit my needs?

Yes, we have quick, easy and affordable subscription levels for small businesses starting at $26.25, which includes a licensed, authenticated and globally recognized GS1 barcode and access to tools and resources to support your business growth. A GS1 Canada subscription helps you get it right from the start by ensuring your products have a verifiable and globally unique barcode and Global Trade Item Number (a GTIN, referring to the numbers under a barcode). Subscriptions are based on the number of barcodes you need. For more information about small business subscriptions, visit our Small Business webpage or contact us at info@gs1ca.org or 1.800.567.7084.

2
What does my subscription include?

Included with your subscription is a Global Trade Item Number (GTIN), which is used to create a globally unique barcode, and identifies products down to very specific details and can track a product as it moves through the global supply chain all the way to the end user, and back again if needed. In addition to one or more barcodes, your subscription includes access to tools and resources to support your business growth. Learn more.

3
What is a Prefix and do I need one?

If your company has at least 100 unique products, including product variations, you will need a subscription level (Limited) that includes a GS1 Company Prefix, a consistent set of numbers at the beginning of each GTIN that uniquely identifies your business in the global supply chain. Since your GS1 Company Prefix can only be used by your organization, it identifies your company as the brand owner of your products, making it easier for your trading partners to identify and manage your products within their systems. With a Limited subscription, you will receive a 9-digit prefix which generates up to 100 barcodes.

The rest of the numbers in a GTIN uniquely identify your products and each variation of your products, simplifying your internal planning and supply chain management. Your GS1 Company Prefix is also incorporated into your GLNs (Global Location Numbers) to identify the location of your products, such as stores, warehouses, distribution centres, pharmacies and hospitals. Ensure to account for your business growth in your calculations, including new products or product variations, more warehouses or shipping locations. Learn more.

4
Why get a GS1 barcode?

When you get your barcodes from GS1 Canada, you also get peace of mind knowing that your products are uniquely identified and trace back to your company - online, in retail stores, and around the world. GS1 barcodes are globally recognized barcodes and play a key role in the global supply chain, enabling organizations to identify, track and trace products as they move through the supply chain, whether locally or around the world.

GS1 licensed barcodes are maintained in a global registry used by retailers and distributors to authenticate ownership of uniquely identified GTINs. Barcode numbers purchased from other sources could be subject to duplication or fraud and may not be linked to your product or business, ultimately resulting in loss of sales, brand erosion and potential consumer safety issues. GS1 licensed GTINs are the global standard endorsed by most Canadian and global retailers, foodservice distributors and online marketplaces to do business.

5
What is the difference between a GTIN and a barcode?

Barcodes are the actual lines and spaces that you see on the label that can be read by a scanner at point-of-sale. The barcode is the symbology that holds the unique data associated with your product. GTINs (Global Trade Item Numbers) are the numbers you see below the lines of a barcode.

6
How many GTINs do I need?

A unique GTIN (and barcode) is required for every variation of your product, which means you need a unique GTIN for every size, flavour and modification (such as low-fat or sugar-free) for your products. Every product needs its own GTIN. GTINs can also be used to identify specific packaging configurations, including pallets, cases, inners, and point-of-sale/point-of-use items or even distribution/warehouse logistics. Although GTINs are frequently encoded within a barcode, they can also be used on their own. If you're not sure how many GTINs and barcodes you're going to need, use our simple GTIN Estimator to help figure it out.

8
How do I create, manage and store my GTINs and barcodes?

Manage My GTINs is an efficient, user-friendly tool to assign and manage your GTINs, and generate global standard barcodes, all in one central, secure location easily and accurately. It will save time and eliminate uncertainty by assigning a unique GTIN and barcode to your product so that you can focus on growing your business. This step-by-step guide will take you through receiving a properly constructed GTIN uniquely assigned to your product. With this automatic assignment, there is less chance of error and you can be confident that your GTINs will work with trading partners. Learn more.

9
How can I get my products to market quickly and easily?

We help small businesses get their products to market quickly and easily, whether it's a farmer's market, on your website or through another retailer or marketplace. With a GS1 Canada subscription, you have access to the tools and resources to help expand your retail opportunities:

  • Get Product Images: Our professional team of professional photographers and graphic designers capture and edit product images using global standard guidelines and bundle them with validated, bilingual product data to meet trading partner content requirements. Additional fees apply. Learn more.
  • Selling Online: Product visibility on online platforms helps increase brand awareness and maximize sales opportunities. GS1 is the global authority for unique product identification, and GS1's GTINs ensure that your products can be sold, tracked or traced anywhere in the world. Learn more.
  • Sell with a Trading Partner: Confidently share the product data and images trading partners need with a flexible, cost-effective Small Business Bundle. Learn more.

Return to section menu

1
How can I pay my bill online?

To access any unpaid invoices, please follow the steps below:

  1. Log in to myGS1 using your email and password.
  2. On the top right-hand side, select Unpaid Invoice and follow payment instructions.
  3. To print any invoices, please click on the PDF file under Invoice Details.

4
How do I provide user authorization to view an unpaid invoice and complete billing and payments?

To provide user access to invoicing details, follow these steps:

  1. Log in to myGS1 using your email and password.
  2. On the left-hand side of the screen, select User Management.
  3. Under the Role section on the user's name, select the pencil icon.
  4. Check off Billing and Payments.
  5. Click Save.

6
How can I get added to my company's account as an authorized user?

Your company's GS1 Canada administrator can add you as an authorized user. To do so:

Send GS1 Canada an official letter to info@gs1ca.org on company letterhead requesting to be added. Please provide: Full name, email, phone number, job title, company name, address, and billing address.

8
Where can I find more information about my tools and solutions?

To learn more information about ECCnet Industry Managed Solutions visit here.

9
How do I subscribe to GS1 Canada's product recall tool?

Complete the following steps to subscribe for ECCnet Recall, GS1 Canada’s product recall tool:

  1. Fill out the Recall registration form and select which Recall tool you need.
  2. Set-up your company types: Initiator, Receiver or both.
  3. Add your company's Recall users to the tool, assign them appropriate roles and provide them with links to training within the Help Library.

For more information about ECCnet Recall, visit here.

10
How do I register for the following tools?

The Vault

Product Certification

  1. Have our GS1 Canada Administrator set you up as a Product Certification Administrator in myGS1. They will need to add you to ECCnet ProSYNC, make you a Super-User and then add the Product Certification Administrator – Nutritional role to your ProSYNC profile.
  2. You will receive a confirmation email containing further instructions, including a link to the registration form. If you are not already on myGS1, you will also receive an email with instructions on how to set up your profile.
  3. Complete the online form. You will receive an email notification that Product Certification as been added to the tools available to you in myGS1.

11
How do I cancel my GS1 Canada subscription?

Contact us at:

Hours of operation:
Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 5:30 pm EST.

Please note that if you cancel your subscription with us, you will no longer be authorized to use your GS1 Global Trade Item Numbers (GTINs), Company Prefix(es) and GS1 Canada tools and services. Additionally, the data you had been sharing with your trading partners will no longer be available to them.

Return to section menu

We're Here to Help

If you need help getting started or have questions, contact our Subscriber Support team.

1.800.567.7084

info@gs1ca.org

Stay Connected

Follow us on social media to stay up to date with GS1 Canada.