GS1 standards overview
GS1 is the global organization that manages barcode standards used by over 2 million companies. Their standards ensure that a barcode scanned in your warehouse means the same thing when scanned at a retailer or distribution center. Compliance with GS1 standards is often required by major retailers (Walmart, Target, Amazon) and regulated industries (pharmaceuticals, food). Understanding these standards prevents chargebacks and rejected shipments.
Application identifiers decoded
GS1-128 barcodes use Application Identifiers (AIs) to define what each data element means. Common AIs: **(01)** GTIN - the product identifier. **(10)** Batch/Lot number. **(17)** Expiration date (YYMMDD format). **(21)** Serial number. **(00)** SSCC - Serial Shipping Container Code for pallets. Your WMS must parse these AIs correctly to extract lot, expiry, and serial data during receiving and shipping.
GS1-128 label requirements
GS1-128 labels encode multiple data elements in a single barcode. The human-readable interpretation (HRI) must appear below the barcode showing each AI and its value. Labels must meet minimum size requirements based on scanning distance. Use quiet zones (blank space) on each side of the barcode. Test labels with your partners' scanners before production shipments. Many chargebacks result from label quality issues, not data problems.
GTIN, SSCC, and GLN explained
**GTIN** (Global Trade Item Number) identifies products. The 14-digit GTIN-14 is used for case and pallet quantities. **SSCC** (Serial Shipping Container Code) is an 18-digit number uniquely identifying each pallet or carton for tracking through the supply chain. **GLN** (Global Location Number) identifies physical locations, legal entities, and functions. Your company needs a GS1 Company Prefix to generate these numbers—obtain one from your local GS1 Member Organization.
Partner compliance checklist
Before shipping to a new retail partner: 1) Request their EDI and labeling requirements document. 2) Verify your GS1 Company Prefix is active. 3) Configure SSCC generation in your WMS. 4) Create compliant label templates and test print quality. 5) Send sample labels for approval. 6) Complete a test shipment with ASN (Advance Ship Notice). 7) Monitor initial shipments for chargebacks and adjust. Document everything—compliance requirements change frequently.