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

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

Product Image Specification Standard

To find out more about the global best practices for storing different types of product image.

Click here to review the Product Image Specification Standards Rules.

Package Measurement Rules Standard

The global Package Measurement Rules Standard makes it easier for trading partners to identify a consistent and repeatable process for determining the dimensions of any given product packaging.

Although the global standard allows any unit-of-measure to be applied, data providers should should always provide the measurement system that is required in their specific target market.

Click here to review the Package Measurement Rules Standard.

GS1 Identification Keys

There are 12 major GS1 identification keys, allowing organizations to connect physical events and related information.

GS1 identification (ID) keys are global standards that give organizations efficient ways to access information about their products in the supply chains, and share this information with trading partners.

GS1 ID keys are globally unique, they can be shared between organizations, increasing supply chain visibility for trading partners. ID keys ensure products will always be correctly identified on a global scale, minimizing the risk of confusion and increasing supply chain transparency and traceability for everyone.

All GS1 ID keys can be used by Canadian organizations though, the two most commonly used in Canada are

  • Global Trade Item Numbers (GTINs), used to identify specific products and services and
  • Global Location Numbers (GLNs), used to identify locations and legal entities.
  • Global Trade Item Number (GTIN ) GTINs uniquely identify products down to very specific details. Every product has its own GTIN to ensure that it cannot be confused with another product.

    Learn more

  • Global Location Number (GLN) Global Location Numbers (GLNs) can be applied to any location (physical, operational or legal) that needs to be identified for use in the supply chain.

    Learn more