Identification Numbers
The underpinning foundation of the GS1 System is the provision of a unique, non-significant number that can be used internationally for identification (see below) throughout the supply chain. This number is known as a GS1 Identification (ID) Key or GS1 Identification Number.
Types of GS1 Identification Keys
Which GS1 Identification Key you need depends on what you want to identify, whether it's a DVD, pharmaceuticals, or a loyalty program.
The table below should assist with determining the appropriate GS1 Identification Key:
| What is identified |
GS1 Identification Key |
GS1 ID Key Abbreviation |
Examples |
|
Trade Item
|
Global Trade Item Number
|
GTIN
|
DVDs, pharmaceuticals, cereal
|
|
Logistic units
|
Serial Shipping Container Code
|
SSCC
|
Pallets of items
Shipments of items
|
|
Consignment
|
Global Identification Number for Consignment
|
GINC
|
Group of pallets and their goods.
|
|
Shipment
|
Global Shipment Identification Number
|
GSIN
|
Direct shipment of goods from the seller to the buyer.
|
|
Location
|
Global Location Number
|
GLN
|
Warehouses, factories, stores, edi mailbox.
|
|
Returnable assets
|
Global Returnable Asset Identifier
|
GRAI
|
Pallet bases, crates, drums, beer keg.
|
|
Assets
|
Global Individual Asset Identifier
|
GIAI
|
Surgical equipment, computers
|
|
Service relations
|
Global Service Relation Number
|
GSRN
|
Members of a customer loyalty scheme, patients, employees
|
|
Documents
|
Global Document Type Identifier
|
GDTI
|
Invoices, shipment forms, insurance policies, banking documents, virtual documents
|
GS1 Identification Keys can be put into barcodes but can also be used in other carriers such as RFID tags. The GS1 Identification Keys are also be used in eMessaging transactions and as a component of synchronising product data between trading partners.
The GS1 System also supports the identification of additional data in the form of attribute information