12 GS1 Identification Schemes / Encoding Schemes and Their Uses
GS1 is a non-profit, global organization that creates and maintains global standards for business-to-business and supply chain communication. In essence, a standard is created so that when a barcode is scanned or an RFID tag is read, the stored data can be interpreted and understood. Without standards, a custom barcode could be created and placed on a product, but without a standard in place and software to make sense of that number, it is simply a number. However, with GS1 standards to help interpret that data, the barcode or RFID tag’s EPC number becomes a unique set of data that provides information about the associated asset.
GS1 currently has 12 Identification Schemes, which are also called encoding schemes or identification keys. They are CPID, GTIN, GIAI, GLN, SSCC, GSIN, GINC, GRAI, GDTI, GCN, GSRN, GMN. These identification keys are used for identifying specific items or assets across the world, and that key data is assigned and kept in a global registry managed by GS1.
When a company signs up with GS1, they are assigned a company prefix and then asked to upload information about their items/assets that will need to receive a GS1 Verified number. GS1 asks companies to upload 7 core product attributes for most items/assets, which includes GTIN (each item must be assigned a GTIN if not already), brand name, product description, product image URL, global product classification code (each item must be categorized with a GPC), net content, unit of measure, and country of sale.
After all the item/asset data is uploaded to GS1’s secure Cloud, each product can be assigned a number based on the Identification Key / Identification Scheme that the company is using. The type of Identification Scheme or Encoding Scheme that a company will use depends on what the current practice is in that industry as well as the type of product/service that needs to be identified.
Learn more about each Identification Scheme below.
GS1 Identification Schemes
Components & Parts
> CPID - Component / Part Identifier
Used For: Identifying components and parts that are not typically sold individually.
Used On: Parts and components, as well as physical and digital documents that reference those parts and components
Who Uses It: Manufacturing companies
For Example: A motor for a specific washing machine or temperature sensor for a specific model refrigerator.
Learn More: Checkout GS1’s CPID Summary
Products
> GTIN - Global Trade Item Number
Used For: Combining specific product identification with batch/lot numbers, and serial numbers. Also used to digitally identify products or services on catalogues, purchases orders, or invoices.
Used On: Products like consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, or raw materials.
Who Uses It: Manufacturers, Distributors, Retailers
For Example: Identify a box of Mayonnaise as well as the batch information
Notes: There are four GTIN formats, GTIN-8, GTIN-12, and GTIN-13
Learn More: Checkout GS1’s GTIN Summary
Company Assets
> GIAI - Global Individual Asset Identifier
Used For: Identifying fixed company assets within a company for easy identification and record keeping.
Used On: IT Equipment, Vehicles, Furniture, etc.
Who Uses It: Any companies with tangible assets
For Example: Identify a specific laptop among hundreds of identical laptops within a company
Learn More: Checkout GS1’s GIAI Summary
Location Information
> GLN - Global Location Number
Used On: Can be used on most products to specify a location that the item is stored, shipped from, shipped to, etc.
Who Uses It: Logistics companies, Manufacturers, Storage Facilities
For Example: To identify where a pallet of goods is stored in a large manufacturing warehouse - Bin 456
Learn More: Checkout GS1’s GLN Summary
Shipments
> SSCC - Serial Shipping Container Code
Used For: Identifying unit loads on pallets, roll cages, and parcels - for keeping certain trade items together for logistics or storage purposes.
Used On: Logistic units in transit
Who Uses It: Logistics companies
For Example: To identify loads of cargo that is shipping together
Learn More: Checkout GS1’s GLN Summary
> GSIN - Global Shipment Identification Number
Used For: Identifying shipments that are -
- One or more logistic units
- Assigned to units going to the same place that will be delivered together
- Assigned to these items for the entire length of transport - from origin to final destination
Used On: Shipments of Products/Goods
Who Uses It: Governments, logistics companies, large manufacturers
For Example: One GSIN will identify five pallets sent from Company 1 to Company 2 that will be traveling together for the entire journey.
Learn More: Checkout GS1’s GLN Summary
> GINC - Global Identification Number for Consignment
Used For: Identifying shipments that are -
•One or more logistic units
•Consignment merchandise/assets/items
•Intended to be transported together for part of the journey
Used On: Shipments Consignment Merchandise
Who Uses It: Transport & Logistics Companies
For Example: Identify a retail consignment shipment in transit
Learn More: Checkout GS1’s GINC Summary
Reusable Shipping Assets
> GRAI - Global Returnable Asset Identifier
Used For: Identifying returnable transport items (RTI) - Reusable pallets, crates, roll containers, etc.
Used On: Reusable pallets, crates, plastic cartons, etc.
Who Uses It: Companies that utilize reusable shipment containers
For Example: Plastic reusable pallets
Learn More: Checkout GS1’s GRAI Summary
Documents
> GDTI - Global Document Type Identifier
Used For: Identifying physical and electronic documents.
Used On: Physical documents like certificates, driver’s licenses, passports or on electronic documents like images and important digital documents
Who Uses It: Any company that needs to uniquely identify physical documents or electronic documents.
For Example: Architectural plans for an apartment complex
Learn More: Checkout GS1’s GDTI Summary
Coupons
> GCN - Global Coupon Number
Used For: Identifying paper or digital coupons, tickets, or loyalty points
Used On: Paper and digital coupons, tickets, loyalty discounts
Who Uses It: Product manufacturers, product resellers, grocery stores, retail stores
For Example: Coffee Manufacturer creates coupons for a discount on their coffee to be used in all major grocery stores
Learn More: Checkout GS1’s GCN Summary
Relationships
> GSRN - Global Service Relation Number
Used For: Identifying relationships between either:
·An organization and a service provider - for instance a nurse and a hospital
·An organization that is providing a service to a customer - for instance an account number, or loyalty card number.
Used On: Digital databases, files, and paper discussing those relationships
Who Uses It: Any company with a relationship that needs to be uniquely identified
For Example: To identify a relationship between a hospital and a nurse practitioner
Learn More: Checkout GS1’s GSRN Summary
Specialty Healthcare Devices
> GMN - Global Model Number
Used For: Identifying healthcare device product model from inception to sale - including post-sale use and maintenance.
Used On: Medical device and physical or digital documents relating to the medical device.
Who Uses It: Healthcare Companies Only
For Example: To identify and keep all information together about a c-pap device that just went to market
Learn More: Checkout GS1’s GMN Summary
Notes: This format has only been approved for medical devices in regulated healthcare companies.
Conclusion
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