GS1 Standards

Case Date Coding

As the grocery and foodservice industries strive to minimize waste and reduce costs, it is increasingly important to have easy access to key dates relating to food products for managing stock rotation.

Recognizing this need, key sector organizations in Canada have come together and agreed on an industry-wide standard relating to case date coding - so that specific date information is included on all cases within the supply chain.

The Industry Implementation Protocol for Case Date Coding is intended to optimize product freshness through clear communication of key dates on products cases and is endorsed by

The Protocol took effect for frozen and dairy products on January 1, 2012. The Protocol may be expanded in the future to include additional categories.

Implementation of this Protocol is voluntary and should be discussed between individual trading partners. By adopting the Protocol, industry:

• Agrees to use the defined date standard formats and definitions outlined in the Protocol.
• Acknowledges that the date standard format expressed in the Protocol are the industry standard.

GS1 Canada can assist implementation by providing education and direction on case date coding standards.

Resources Supporting Case Date Coding
Case Date Coding - History (Video)
Case Date Coding - Protocol (Video)
Case Date Coding - Technical Support (Video)
Case Date Coding - FAQs

GTIN Non-Reuse

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SmartSearch

Today's consumer is an informed consumer and is likely to research a product online while standing in the middle of a store aisle or before even leaving the house.

GS1 SmartSearch brings the world of standards to online search so that business can optimize how, when and what product content is shown in search results, potentially increasing sales whether going direct-to-consumer or through a retailer.

SmartSearch uses GS1 Vocabulary Standards. The vocabulary standards will include the definition of parties and of a trade item. Their properties and definitions come from existing GS1 standards including Global Data Synchronization Network (GDSN) and Global Product Classification (GPC). The exceptions to this rule include the definition of Offering and Thing which do not exist in any of the above standards

How it works
Specifically designed standards and guidelines create structured data about a product. This organizes your product data into logical, consistent categories that make it easier for search engines to understand and display to potential customers.

This information can be linked to a product's GTIN which generates search results that are more accurate and detailed, giving online shoppers the information they're looking for.

Benefits of SmartSearch:

• A structured vocabulary base provides improved search results for consumers to find the products and information they need
• Greater visibility to products in online searches
• Improved, accurate online product content
• Shared product information via consumer-facing mobile devices and websites, which can ultimately drive sales

What should you do next?
Read the GS1 FAQ to understand how SmartSearch is being rolled out to market, and how it works with GTINs and search engines such as Google.
Join the pilot program to test GS1 SmartSearch on your own web pages.

GS1 Barcode Essentials

• The number that sits beneath a barcode is called a Global Trade Item Number (GTIN). This is a globally unique identifier for your product. The barcode is just a machine-readable version of this number. Below are different tools and resources you may use to ensure your organization creates quality Barcodes to use in your business processes.
  • GS1 Canada's Barcode Generator GS1 Canada's Barcode Generator provides a reliable source of barcode images that align with global standards and scan correctly every time. This system supports the following barcode formats UPC-A; EAN-13; ITF-14; GS1 DataBar; GS1-128.
  • GS1 Barcode Chart The GS1 Barcode Chart provides a summary of all the different barcode symbologies and usage examples.
  • Barcoding for Designers, Printers and Packagers This implementation guide provides an introduction to the standards used for barcode symbols on product packaging.
  • GS1 Package and Product Measurement Standard: The GS1 Package and Product Measurement Standard sets the standard for an unambiguous nominal measurements used for retail and non-retail product packaging levels.
  • Barcoding Basics for Shipping Containers Barcoding Basics for Shipping Containers is an introduction to the standards for creating and using shipping container codes.
  • Symbology Placement Guideline Symbology Placement Guidelines (an extract from the GS1 General Specifications Version 17: Section 6 Symbology Placement Guidelines) provides direction for the placement of barcodes on packages and containers.
  • Case Date Coding Initiative The Industry initiative for Case Date Coding is intended to optimize product freshness through clear communication of key dates on products cases.
  • Case Date Coding Protocol The Industry Implementation Protocol for Case Date Coding provides detailed date codes for product cases, intended to optimize product freshness.

Check Digit Calculator

• What is a Check Digit and a Check Digit Calculator? The last digit of a barcode number is a computer check digit which makes sure the barcode is correctly composed. Use our check digit calculator to calculate a check digit.
• How does the check digit calculator work? The check digit is calculated using a simple algorithm, based on the other numbers in the key.
• How to calculate a check digit manually. By multiplying each digit by a specific number (algorithm alternates 1, 3) take the sum and subtract from the next highest multiple of ten equals your check digit.

GTIN & GLN Management Standard / Rules

• GS1 Allocation Standards provide rules industries standardize to. These are used to create practical business and consumer value, specifically when pre-defined information is established or changed. Some Allocation Standards / Rules are listed below:
  • GS1 GTIN Management Standards Overview The Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) Management Standard is designed to help industry make consistent decisions about the unique identification of trade items in open supply chains.
  • GS1 GTIN Allocation Rules for Healthcare Healthcare GTIN Allocation Rules GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) provides a unique identification solution for Healthcare Items. When linked with the item's batch number and expiration date, it can help provide traceability from production to patient delivery.
  • GS1 GTIN Allocation Rules for Upstream Upstream Integration use the GS1 GTIN Allocation Rules to improve the processes by sharing information and improving visibility of demand, demand changes and inventory.
  • GS1 GTIN Allocation Rules for Fresh Foods The GS1 Fresh Foods Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) Allocation Rules Standard are focused on the additional rules that may be needed when operating in these sectors. These are in addition to the GTIN Management Standard that are designed to help industry make consistent decisions about the unique identification of trade items in open supply chains, but are focused on their specific industries.
  • GS1CA GTIN Management Standards - Canadian Grocery This specific Canadian Grocery Allocation Guideline is based on the GS1 GTIN Management Rules which provides rules for industries to standardize to and manage existing products or when a new product is introduced to the Canadian grocery marketplace.
  • GS1CA GTIN Management Standards - Canadian General Merchandise & Hardline This specific Canadian General Merchandise & Hardline Allocation Guideline is based on the GS1 GTIN Management Rules which provides rules for industries to standardize to and manage existing products or when a new product is introduced to the Canadian grocery marketplace.
  • GS1 GLN Allocation Rules Standard Global Location Number (GLN) Allocation & Management Rules can be used by companies to identify their locations, giving them complete flexibility to identify any type or level of location required.
  • GS1 General Specifications The GS1 General Specifications is the core standards document of the GS1 system describing how GS1 barcodes and identification keys should be used.

Image Standard & Packaging Measurement Standard / Rules

• GS1 Allocation Standards provide rules industries standardize to. These are used to create practical business and consumer value, specifically when pre-defined information is established or changed. Some Allocation Standards / Rules are listed below:
  • Product Image Specification Standard This GS1 standard establishes rules for the storage of digital images associated to products. The product identification number used is the Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) and this document provides details on all aspects of digital imaging storage.
  • GS1 Package and Product Measurement Standard This GS1 document sets the standard for the global, unambiguous definition of nominal measurement attributes of product packaging and products to facilitate communication of the same for retail and non-retail products from the consumer unit to the case level and all intermediate packaging levels.

Case Date Coding

• The Industry Initiative and the Implementation Protocol for Case Date Coding is intended to optimize product freshness through clear communication of key dates on product cases.
  • Case Date Coding Industry Initiative
  • Case Date Coding Industry Protocol

Identification Standards

GS1 identification Standards enable organizations to identify products, documents, physical locations and more within their supply chains efficiently.

Learn more

Identification standards are available for a variety of situations and business processes and include such things as

• Product Image Specification Standard
• Package Measurement Rules Standard
• Identification keys
  • GTIN
  • GLN