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Guidelines and Use Cases

Implementation of the GS1 standards with the use of guidelines ensures all trading partners work is harmonized because the business foundation and structure are standardized. This webpage provides a selection of guidelines, use cases and videos to show how GS1 standards have been implemented and are used.

Documentation

Useful documentation and links related to guidelines and use cases are listed below.

Various guidelines and best practices cover many different sectors and standards.

GS1 Logistics Label Guideline
This GS1 Logistics Label Guideline provides guidance on how to physically identify logistic units using the GS1 Logistic Label.

Traceability Implementation Guidelines
Comprehensive traceability guidelines have been globally, regionally or locally prepared for industry users.

Cannabis - Supply Chain Best Practices
Comprehensive information to implement GS1 Standards in the Cannabis community.

Healthcare Product Description Standardization Implementation Guidelines
This guideline was developed by the industry to enhance patient safety and improve supply chain effectiveness and efficiency by documenting community-identified product short description requirements for all healthcare trading partners to use.

GLN Implementation Guideline – Healthcare
This document provides implementation guidance for those considering the use of the GS1 Global Location Number (GLN) in healthcare.

GS1 DataMatrix Guideline
Overview and technical introduction to the use of GS1 DataMatrix which is a matrix (2D or two-dimensional) barcode which may be printed as a square or rectangular symbol made up of individual dots or squares. A GS1 DataMatrix symbol can encode a sequence of numeric and alphanumeric data, structured according to the GS1 Application Identifier rules.

GS1 Component / Part ID GS1 Implementation Guideline
This GS1 Component / Part Identification document is an implementation guideline clarifying where and how the Component/Part Identification (CPID) standard can be used. It does not change the CPID standard nor does it introduce any new normative statement.

GS1 Guideline for Distributing and Shipping Biologicals – Healthcare
This guideline describes how SSCC (Serial Shipping Container Code) identification and GS1 XML Despatch Advice Messages can be used to carry ISBT 128 identifiers and codes.

GDSN - Consumer Product Variant - Implementation Guide
Consumer Product Variant identifies product variations that are considered insignificant to supply chain business processes, but that may be important to consumers. While these product changes and variations do not require a new GTIN, they are critical to harmonization of the physical and digital shelf and full transparency.

GDSN - Fruit and Vegetable GTIN Assignment Implementation Guideline
This Implementation Guideline is for the fruit & vegetable industry, providing guidance on how to assign a GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) and when to assign a new GTIN. It should be pointed out that GTIN Allocation Rules are available in the GS1 General Specifications. This document is intended for the person responsible for product data management in fruit & vegetable companies to understand the application of those allocation rules.

GDSN - Fruit and Vegetable Master Data Attribute Implementation Guide
This implementation guideline provides support to companies seeking to electronically exchange fruit & vegetable product information in accordance with GS1 standards.

GDSN - GS1 Fisheries and Aquaculture Master Data Attribute Implementation Guideline
The purpose of the Fisheries & Aquaculture Master Data Attribute Implementation Guide is to provide best practice guidelines for industry-wide adoption for New Item Listing.

GDSN - Pharmaceutical Image Implementation Guideline
This implementation guideline provides a method of image naming; associated data, and transport methods needed to increase efficiencies and minimize costs. The harmonization of required data and exchange practices reduces the individual mapping from multiple sources to a single process, thus avoiding errors. The image naming utilizing a global standardized convention allows for a higher level of security against inadvertent over-writing.

GDSN - Price Synchronization Implementation Guide
The purpose of this document is to clearly explain the use and purpose of the Price Synchronization Message.

GDSN - Trade Item Implementation Guideline
Business users who are implementing or operating GDSN may use this document to supplement the formal GDSN standards with additional guidance. This document is aimed primarily at business users who need to understand the data content or process standards. Technical users involved with implementation may also find topics of interest.

EDI is the electronic transfer of data from one computer system to another in a standardized message format, without the need for human intervention.

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) Standards
EDI is a vital link used to share information and data in the supply chain and is based on the communication of standardized messages to ensure participants are using a common language. Fundamentally EDI is an electronic alternative to paper-based business transactions such as orders and invoices.

Canadian Implementation Guidelines for EDI (login required)
These comprehensive guides have been prepared by Canadian Industries for Canadian Industry users as a subset of the ANSI governed X12 Standards through the X12M Supply Chain sub-committee and GS1 US VICS XRG working groups.

EDI New User Guidance
This guideline is for those who are new to EDI and need to understand what EDI is and what its benefits are. It is not a technical document but has relevance to technical people.

EDI in Retail (video)
A specific Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) business case from the Swiss Retailer Migros with a focus on business process. The video provides a conceptual understanding of the benefits of EDI which may also be applied to other GS1 compliant EDI technologies used in other markets. (9 mins)
Note: In Canada and US, the X12 EDI Standard is recommended.

GS1 EDI EANCOM
GS1 EANCOM® is a GS1 subset of the UN/EDIFACT standard (United Nations Electronic Data Interchange for Administration, Commerce and Transport). It contains only the message elements required by business applications and mandated by the syntax.
Note: In Canada, the X12 EDI Standard is used.

GS1 UN/CEFACT XML
The GS1 UN/CEFACT XML profiles include a select set of messages covering Cross Industry for: Despatch Advice, Invoice, Order, Order Response and Data Types. This standard contains the components that are determined to be foundational to the UN/CEFACT Cross Industry messages and helps to enforce consistency across messages.
Note: In Canada, the X12 EDI Standard is used.

GS1 XML
XML is a language designed for information exchange over the internet. GS1 uses XML to create a set of standard messages for the GS1 EDI (Electronic Data Interchange). GS1 XML messages can be exchanged using any technical solution or internet transport protocol and currently supporting processes such as Order to Cash (Order, Deliver and Payment), Transport & Logistics and Upstream.
Note: In Canada, the X12 EDI Standard is used.

Various industries have documented their use cases or prepared videos to provide detailed understanding of how GS1 Standards provide improved success in their business process. The information is arranged in different groupings from retail through to EPC/RFID to provide insight of implementation.

Barcodes

eCom - Retail and Consumer Goods, Fresh Foods

eCom - Apparel

EPCIS - Retail and Consumer Goods, Fresh Foods

GS1 GDSN

RFID/EPC - Retail and Consumer Goods, Fresh Foods

RFID/EPC – Apparel - Inventory Management in Apparel

RFID/EPC – Apparel - Item-Level Tagging

Learn more about RFID/EPC

Traceability - Retail and Consumer Goods, Fresh Foods

Learn more about Traceability