GS1: THE GLOBAL LANGUAGE OF BUSINESS      

EAN International is now called GS1

      

GS1 is an organisation dedicated to improving the efficiency and visibility of supply and demand chains, globally and across sectors and has been helping businesses do business with each other for more than 30 years.

GS1 offers a diversified portfolio of products, solutions and technologies, including the GS1 System of standards – the most widely used standards system in the world. GS1’s offer ranges from GS1 BarCodes to GS1 eCom  (electronic commerce tools) to next generation technologies and solutions such as GS1 GDSN (data synchronization), EPCglobal (using RFID technologies) and Traceability.

 GS1 operates in more than 20 industries and sectors, including Retail, Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), Health Care, Transport & Logistics, and Defense.  

Formed in 2004 from the joining together of EAN International the Uniform Code Council, Inc (UCC) , With Headquarters in Brussels (Belgium) and Princeton, New Jersey (USA), this reflects the growth and expanding role of GS1.

 GS1's 104 member organizations address all aspects of the supply chain for companies of all sizes, from small and mid-sized firms to some of the world's largest corporations.

GS1 also offers a wide range of services to help businesses use these standards and technologies, including training, certification, technical support, and implementation advice.

GS1 is truly global.

For more information, visit GS1's website at www.gs1.org

 

GS1 Timeline

 

 2005 February -  GS1 launches worldwide.                                                 

2004 August - EAN International and the Uniform Code Council (UCC) announce the launch of the global data synchronisation network (GDSN). The GDSN, conceived and supported by EAN International, the UCC and leading companies and industry groups worldwide, is a global, internet-based initiative that will enable trading partners to quickly and efficiently exchange supply chain data that is accurate, up-to-date, and compliant with universally supported EAN•UCC System standards.

2004 March - The management board of EAN International, has unanimously agreed on the global registry roadmap for EAN International. The global registry is the key feature of the global data synchronisation network.

2003 June - EAN International developed a new name, announced a new President, and Vice President, an augmented Management Board populated by top level management from blue chip companies and agreed to the latest stage in its business plan. The organisation now has all the building blocks in place to achieve its principal goal: to become respected as THE leader in global, open, multi -sector standards.

The General Assembly agreed to change the name of EAN International to GS1. The change of name fully reflects the global reach of the organisation following its expansion in November 2002 when the UCC and Electronic Commerce Council of Canada (ECCC) joined EAN International as member organisations. EAN International and the UCC will continue to be equal partners as co-managers of the global standards management process (GSMP). This process manages the EAN•UCC standards.

2003 May - EAN and the UCC announce the intent to establish a joint venture, AutoID LLC, a not–for–profit organisation that will develop and oversee commercial and technical standards for the EPC Network.

2003 February - EAN International launches the annual update (version 4.0) of the General EAN•UCC Specifications that includes a brand new section on GTIN allocation rules.

2002 December - The UCC and the ECCC join EAN International as member organisations representing North American companies, formally solidifying global reach of the EAN•UCC System.

2002 October - The UCC and the ECCC join EAN International as member organisations representing North American companies, formally solidifying global reach of the EAN•UCC System.

2002 April -The UCC and EAN International release global business message standard for CPFR.

2000 October - EAN International and the UCC announce formal plans for two global XML pilot projects.

2000 August -EAN International and the UCC announce that the RFID global tag (GTAG) program will expand the proposed UHF frequency range to increase the speed of open, standards-based RFID development around the world.

2000 July - The UCC and EAN International plan for a joint global tag (GTAG) programme to promote a supply chain-wide standard for RFID activities. EAN International and the UCC announce that the Global Commerce Initiative (GCI) has selected the EAN•UCC System as the foundation of its effort to simplify standards for retailers and consumer goods manufacturers around the world.

1999 September - The UCC announces creation of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Auto ID Research Center, with seed funding provided by the UCC, Procter & Gamble and the Gillette Company. The twenty-fifth anniversary of the universal product code (U.P.C.) is celebrated at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History.

1999 August - EAN International and the UCC announce plans for developing standards for space constrained applications, including reduced space symbology and composite symbology.

1998 November - The UCC announces the initiation of a proof-of-concept project for the development of a universal foundation for electronic commerce, called UCCnet. The UCCnet is envisioned to span all industries and geographic regions regardless of company size and offers its participants an open, standards-based internet trading community.

1998 May - The UCC and EAN International jointly announce specifications for a new class of symbology for space constrained products. Reduced space symbology and composite symbology capture more information in less space.

1997 June - The UCC announces that retailers in North America must be able to scan 13 digits by January 1, 2005. Expansion of the database to 14 digits is encouraged.

1997 May - The first joint meeting of the EAN Management Board and the UCC Board of Governors occurs in Chicago. The beginning of a new age of global standardisation is noted.

1996 June - ISO/IEC JTCI/SC31 is convened for the first time to focus on global standardisation for data carrier symbologies, data content structures, and conformance. UCC agrees to serve as Secretariat.

1996 January -Three joint projects are initiated between the EAN and the UCC: Tec-Core, App-Core, and Trans-Core.

1995 May - The UCC and EAN International form the Global Policy Committee (GPC) to advise the governing boards on global strategy and cooperation.

1993 May -The International Data and Application Standards Committee (IDASC) is formed as a joint technical committee between EAN International and the UCC, signaling a major commitment toward the global coordination of standards.

1990 October - The UCC and EAN International sign a cooperative agreement formalising their intent to co-manage global standards.

1988 October - The UCC, in coordination with EAN International, endorses Code 128 to encode supplementary information on dispatch units.

1977 February - The European Article Numbering Association is chartered in Belgium. Its EAN-13 code is developed to be fully compatible with the universal product code (U.P.C.)

1974 September -The Uniform Grocery Product Code Council becomes the Uniform Product Code Council.

1973 March - The design of a linear bar code is chosen as the universal product code (UPC) symbology. The U.S. federal government institutes new requirements for nutritional labelling on food containers. This historic event hastened the adoption of the UPC.

1972 January - The first Board of Governors meeting for the Uniform Grocery Product Code Council (UGPCC) is held in Chicago. The UGPCC will administer the new U.P.C.