What is GS1?
What is GS1?
GS1 is a global, not-for-profit organization that develops and maintains the most widely used supply chain standards in the world. It is best known for creating the Global Trade Item Number (GTIN), used in barcodes found on products worldwide. GS1 standards provide a common language that allows products, services, and information to be uniquely identified and communicated across industries and borders.
GS1 operates in over 100 countries through local member organizations, ensuring global interoperability while supporting local needs. Its system of standards covers everything from identification (e.g., barcodes, QR codes, RFID tags) to data exchange formats like EPCIS (Electronic Product Code Information Services) and GS1 Digital Link.
GS1's role in digital product passports
In the context of Digital Product Passports (DPPs), GS1 plays a foundational role by providing globally recognized identifiers, data structures, and interoperability frameworks that make DPPs possible at scale.
Key contributions include:
1. Global product identifiers (GTIN, GPC)
Every product that needs a Digital Product Passport must be uniquely identifiable. GS1’s GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) is the most established identifier used in global trade. A GTIN ensures that each product has a unique, standardized identity across markets and systems — essential for linking a DPP to the correct item.
Additionally, GS1’s GPC (Global Product Classification) provides a consistent taxonomy for categorizing products, which helps structure and compare DPP data efficiently across sectors.
2. GS1 Digital Link
The GS1 Digital Link standard enables web-based access to DPPs by turning traditional GTIN barcodes into web addresses (URLs). By embedding the GTIN (and other identifiers) into a resolvable URL, manufacturers and retailers can point to real-time product data, such as origin, materials, carbon footprint, repair guides, or certifications — all core elements of a DPP.
This directly supports compliance with EU regulations on digital product traceability, offering a scalable, standards-based alternative to siloed or proprietary solutions.
Example:
https://id.gs1.org/01/09506000134352
This could resolve to a DPP containing detailed lifecycle information about a specific product unit.
3. EPCIS and supply chain traceability
GS1’s EPCIS standard allows supply chain events (e.g., shipping, receiving, transforming) to be captured and shared in a structured way. DPPs that need to reflect traceability, including the history of where a product was, how it was handled, or what transformations it went through, can use EPCIS to create a verifiable event chain.
This is critical for sectors like electronics, textiles, and batteries — all of which fall under DPP legislation — where product origin, compliance, and sustainability need to be proven and interoperable.
Why GS1 matters for compliance and interoperability
Upcoming EU regulations (e.g., ESPR – Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation) will require manufacturers to provide structured, accessible, and interoperable data about products via DPPs. GS1 standards:
- Ensure global recognition (used by retailers, customs, and logistics worldwide)
- Avoid vendor lock-in by being open and non-proprietary
- Enable machine readability via standardized schemas and identifiers
- Support B2B and B2C use cases, from customs checks to consumer transparency
Adopting GS1 standards in a DPP strategy helps businesses future-proof their compliance approach while gaining access to a trusted data-sharing infrastructure used by the world’s largest brands.
Summary
GS1 is not just a barcode provider — it’s a key enabler of trustworthy, standardized product data exchange. For Digital Product Passports, GS1 standards form the backbone of unique product identification, traceability, and open access to structured data. Whether you’re building or using DPPs, aligning with GS1 helps ensure global interoperability, compliance, and trust.