GS1 BarCodes implementation guidelines

www.gs1india.org

GS1

GS1 is a global not-for-profit standards organisation that develops and

supports the implementation of open, interoperable Supply Chain stds which enhance effectiveness and efficiency of supply and demand chains.

GS1 standards facilitate physical flow of goods and flow of information about them across Supply Chains through unique and universal identification of products, entities etc.

GS1 - The global language of business

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GS1 - global reach

GS1 standards used by over 1 million companies worldwide Direct presence in over 100 countries Services over 25 Industry sectors including Retail, Healthcare,
Transport & Logistics, Food etc.

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GS1 India

GS1 India is a not-for-profit standards organisation set up by the Ministry

of Commerce, Govt. of India with Board members comprising:
Ministry of Commerce CII FICCI ASSOCHAM FIEO Spices Board BIS Joint Government Industry initiative

8 901016 000508

890 indicates India as country of origin

IMC
IIP APEDA

Affiliated to GS1 Global, Belgium which oversees 110 GS1 organisations

worldwide.
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Why Standards?

Reduced complexity (hardware, software applications)

Reduced costs (hardware/software purchase, implementation, maintenance)

Ease of understanding by all (trading partners, consumers etc) Wider choice of vendors/solution providers

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When there are no standards

There are no global standards for shoe sizes! so companies must -

mark the same shoes differently for different

countries

specify the right size reference on purchase orders,

invoices and delivery slips

pay extra attention to region-by-region specificities

Result? extra costs passed on to consumers!

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 and shoes are a simple example!

Without standards, business processes would be very complex, especially for companies that manufacture products from a large number of components coming from different places

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The GS1 system

GS1 BarCodes
Global standards for unique and universal identification of items, locations, assets etc using bar codes

GS1 Traceability
Solution for standards track & trace of items through the Supply Chain using global

GS1 eCom
Global standards for electronic business messaging

GS1 MobileCom
Linking consumers with trusted sources of product information through mobile phones using global standards

GS1 GDSN
Global standards for automated product data alignment and synchronisation between trading partners

GS1 Upstream Integration

Solution for linking manufacturers with their upstream suppliers using global standards

GS1 EPCglobal
Global standards for unique and universal identification of individual items thru Electronic Product Code (EPC) and communications network infrastructure using RFID technology.

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GS1 BarCodes

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GS1 BarCodes

Barcode a pattern of black bars and white spaces printed on product packaging with data encoded within it to identify the product and/or its attributes. Enables automatic data capture at great speeds and with 100% accuracy. Can be one dimensional (1D) or two dimensional (2D)

GS1 BarCode Barcode encoding GS1 identification numbers (keys) to identify uniquely and universally products, cartons/shipments, locations, assets, documents etc.

Example: GS1 barcode (1D) encoding product identification code 8901016000508

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How do GS1 BarCodes work?

GS1 BarCode printed on product packaging is scanned using a barcode scanner which then transmits the data to a computer application for further processing (consumer billing, stock management etc)

8901016000508

8901016000508

8 901016 000508

8901016000508 13 digit product code (Global Trade Identification Number- GTIN) acting as key to access information on other product attributes (MRP, product description etc.), stored in computer application.

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Implementation of GS1 BarCodes at different packaging levels

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Steps for implementing GS1 barcodes

Step 1 Step 2

Get registered with GS1 India for Global Company Prefix (GCP) number Generate unique GS1 Identification Keys for use on different packaging levels etc.

Step 3
Step 4 Step 5 Step 6

Select the right GS1 BarCode symbology

Generate GS1 BarCode encoding desired GS1 Identification Keys Ensure 100% scannability of GS1 BarCodes Upload product codes and contact details related to GS1 BarCodes in GEPIR

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Step 1 : Get registered with GS1 India for GCP

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Global Company Prefix (GCP) registration

GS1 Company Prefix is a unique number assigned by the local GS1 organisation to a subscribing company. The GCP is used as a prefix for generation of any of the GS1 Identification Keys required. GCP can vary from 7 to 10 digits based on the number (quantity) of product variants/product types of a subscribing company.

To apply for GCP, log in to: http://www.gs1india.org/Support/GetRegistered

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Step 2 : Generate unique GS1 Identification Keys for use on different packaging levels etc.

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GS1 Identification Keys - features

Unique unambiguous and unduplicated identification of products, cartons/shipments, companies/ entities, assets, documents etc in a single, common manner by all trading partners Secure - fixed length, numeric with a check digit

Universal - recognised and used worldwide

Non-significant

Example:

8901016000508
(GS1 identification key (GTIN13) for a product)

GS1 Identification key enables access to detailed information stored in a computer application on the identified object

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Commonly used GS1 Identification Keys

What to identify

Example Biscuit pack, apparel, toothpaste etc

GS1 Identification Key

Consumer item/SKU/ product variant or type for Retail sale

Locations, legal and functional entities

Global Trade identification Number (GTIN)

Global Location Number (GLN)

Companies, factories, warehouses, stores, any department within an organisation

Logistics units

Pallet containers, shipping containers Pallets, plastic crates, rollcages, totes

Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC) Global Returnable Asset identifier (GRAI) Global Individual Asset Identifier (GIAI)

Returnable assets

Fixed assets

Laptops, office fixed assets (photocopiers, fax machines etc)

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Commonly used GS1 Identification Keys

What to identify Documents

Examples Stamp papers, office documents, insurance papers etc. Single consignment for despatch

GS1 Identification Key Global Document Type Identifier (GDTI) Global Identification Number for Consignment (GINC)

Freight consignment Grouping of logistics units that travel under same dispatch notice People served by or serving under a specific service (s)

Used by Customs Authorities for identifying import & export shipments

Patients, members of customer loyalty schemes, employees etc.

Global Shipment Identification Number (GSIN)

Global Service Relationship Number (GSRN)

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GS1 BarCodes used at different packaging levels

Packaging level Primary level (consumer / retail pack) Secondary level (cartons and cases incl. intermediate levels)

GS1 BarCode used EAN/UPC barcode symbology encoding GTIN 13 (13 digit product code), GTIN12 (12 digit product code) or GTIN 8 (8 digit product code) , depending on buyer requirement. GS1-128 or ITF14 barcode symbology depending on buyer requirement encoding GTIN 14 (mandatory) and if required other product attributes (optional based on buyer requirement) through additional barcode on same label using appropriate GS1 Application Identifiers (AIs) ITF14 - encodes only GTIN 14 (14 digit product code) GS1-128 - encodes product code (GTIN14) with other product attributes as desired (batch number, expiry date etc) using appropriate GS1 AIs.

Tertiary level (logistics units)

GS1-128 barcode symbology encoding Serialised Shipping Container Code (SSCC) mandatory. Besides SSCC, additional information (optional based on buyer requirement) related to consignor, consignee, product identifier (GTIN), purchase order number etc can be represented through additional barcode on same label using appropriate GS1 AIs.
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Data structures of GTINs used at primary level (consumer/retail pack)

GTIN13

N1

N2

N3

N4

N5

N6

N7

N8

N9

N10

N11

N12

N13

GCP + item reference number

Check digit

N1

N2

N3

N4

N5

N6

N7

N8

N9

N10

N11

N12

GTIN12

GCP + item reference number GCP Item reference Number to be allocated by GS1 India

Check digit

to be generated as a random number (numeric only) by the subscriber uniquely for every product variant

Check digit *

to be calculated based on preceding digits

GTIN8

N1

N2

N3

N4

N5

N6

N7

N8

Note: The allocation of complete GTIN 8 number for a product is done only by GS1 India. Its use is restricted to very small consumer items on which there is insufficient space to print GTIN13 or GTIN12

barcodes
*Check digit calculator available at http://www.gs1india.org.in/calculator.aspx

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Generating GTIN13s for different variants of a consumer/retail item

Variant/Type

Size

GCP

Item Ref No.*

Check Digit **

8901234
Salted

00000 00001

8901234
Product

4 1 8 5 2

8901234
Potato Chips
Sweet & Sour

00002 00003
00004 00005

8901234 8901234

Baked

8901234

Generated by manufacturer (numeric random number only)

** Check digit calculator available at http://www.gs1india.org.in/calculator.aspx 22

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Guidelines for change of GTINs on consumer/retail item

Change in GTIN on existing consumer item to be undertaken only in following circumstances: When the product quantity changes by over 20% When there is a promotion/free giveaway item attached to the product In event of a new brand name being given to the product When there are significant changes in product ingredients

Detailed GTIN allocation rules available at www.gs1.org/gtinrules/i_index.htm

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Data structure of GS1 key (GTIN14) for carton/case identification

GTIN14
N1 Package level Indicator N2 N3 N4 N5 N6 N7 N8 N9 N10 N11 N12 N13 N14 Check Digit

GCP allocated by GS1 India + item reference number generated by the company

Note: Packaging level Indicator (N1) is used to indicate different pack sizes of cartons/ cases dependent on number of consumer/retail items inside them. The following indicators may be used as prefix: 0 1 to 8 9 For identification of a carton containing heterogeneous products . For identification of upto 8 different carton sizes containing homogeneous, fixed measure products For identification of a carton containing variable measure products

Check digit calculator available at http://www.gs1india.org.in/calculator.aspx

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Generating GTIN 14 for homogenous case/carton level identification

Homogeneous case/carton containing multiple quantities of same product inside

Guidelines:

Use GCP alongwith the Item reference number of the product packed inside (e.g. 890123400001) and prefix it

with any packaging indicator of your choice, varying from 1 to 8. Options are available for use of different
packaging indicators for upto 8 different packaging sizes of standardised cartons/cases. Calculate check digit for the case/carton using the preceding 13 digits (890123400001) using the check digit calculator available at http://www.gs1india.org.in/calculator.aspx

Examples :
Fig1 - Consumer item with GS1 product code 8901234000014 (GTIN13) Fig2 Homogenous case/carton identification (GTIN14) using packaging indicator 1 to signify pack size of 6 consumer items inside Fig3 - Homogenous case/carton identification (GTIN14) using packaging indicator 2 to signify pack size of 10 consumer items inside

Fig1 8901234000014 (GTIN-13) Consumer item 25

Fig2 18901234000011 GTIN-14 Case/carton with 6 items

Fig3

2890123400018 GTIN-14 Case/carton with 10 items

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Generating GTIN for heterogeneous pack

Heterogeneous pack contains multiple units of different SKUs/product variants/product types

Example : a) GTIN 13 codes assigned to six variants of deodorants packed inside a heterogeneous pack

Dodorant A 8901230000018

Dodorant B 8901230000025

Dodorant C 8901230000032

Dodorant D 8901230000063

Dodorant E 8901230000056

Dodorant F 8901230000049

b) GTIN 14 generated for the heterogenous pack containing above product variants of the deodorant
08901230000193 GTIN14 of the pack using same GCP but with different item reference number (random, numeric number generated by manufacturer) from that of above product variants. Indicator digit 0 should be used as a filler for the first digit. 3 Check digit calculated from the calculater available at http://www.gs1india.org.in/calculator.aspx

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Generating SSCC for tertiary level (logistics units)

Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC) is the GS1 Identification Key for uniquely identifying a

logistic unit earmarked for shipment.

SSCC data structure
N1 Extension digit N2 to N17 GCP + Unique serial number of the logistics unit generated by the subscriber N18 Check digit

Extension digit : Can be any number ranging from 0-9. It provides flexibility to increase the serialisation capacity of the SSCC. With each extension digit, a company can generate a fresh set of serial numbers.

Examples of logistics units

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Step 3 - Select the right GS1 BarCode symbology

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Select the right GS1 BarCode symbology

Selection criteria : Scanning location (Point Of Sale, warehouse, factory, distribution trade etc) Scanning environment Quantity of information to be encoded in barcode Industry practice sector-wise

General guidelines:
1D GS1 BarCode encoding GTIN13/GTIN12/GTIN8 on consumer pack for POS application 1D GS1 DataBar encoding GTIN13/GTIN12/GTIN8 alongwith variable information like batch number, expiry date for fresh produce/variable measure food items for POS application 2D GS1 DataMatrix for pharmaceuticals/medical devices with GTIN14 and batch number, serial number, expiry date for POS application in pharmacies/hospitals 1D GS1-128 barcode at secondary packaging level (cartons/cases) with GTIN14, other variable

information like batch number, serial number, consignor/consignee etc using appropriate GS1 AIs
(Application Identifiers)
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Select the right GS1 BarCode symbology

General guidelines (contd. ..) 1D ITF14 barcode at secondary packaging level (cartons/cases) with GTIN14 and packaging indicator. No variable information. Usually, pre-printed on cartons/cases. 1D GS1-128 barcode with SSCC at tertiary packaging level(logistic unit)

Notes: Detailed and specific guidelines on GS1 barcodes symbology selection available at http://www.gs1india.org/upload/menu/GS1_General_Specifications_v12.pdf,) For scanning environments, look up Section 5.4, for symbol placement and size suitable for different scanning environments, look up Section 6.0 of above general specs.

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Step 4 - Generate GS1 BarCode encoding desired GS1 Identification Keys

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GS1 BarCodes used on consumer /retail pack

EAN/UPC (1D) symbology encoding product identification (GTIN Global Trade Identification Number)

GS1 DataMatrix (2D) symbology encoding product identification (GTIN Global Trade Identification Number)

(01)089016000508

EAN/UPC is adapted to printing on products

meant for Retail Point of scanning

GS1 Datamatrix is recommended generally when there is space constraint for printing and based on buyer requirement GS1 DataMatrix encodes data in 14 digit format. Filler digit 0 is added to convert GTIN 13 into the 14 digit format Application Identifier (AI) 01 used to indicate the GTIN 14 structure Using suitable AIs, GS1 DataMatrix can encode additional information when desired like: Dates (Expiry/Mfg/Packaging/Best before) Batch No., Lot No., etc. Serial No.

Designed to be read omnidirectionally Limitation: Cannot encode information other

than GTIN 14

Encode fixed length, numeric data

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GS1 BarCodes used on secondary packaging level ( cartons, cases)

ITF - 14

GS1 - 128

(01) 1

890100001001

7 (17) 970923 (10) AF5893

GTIN-14

Date

Batch No.

ITF-14 is adapted to printing on poor quality packaging material (e.g. corrugated cardboard)

GS1-128 is used to encode additional information related to :

Dates (Expiry/Mfg/Packaging/Best before) Batch No., Lot No., etc. Trade quantities and measures Consignor/consignee Others (PO No., Serial No. etc.) besides product code (GTIN14) contained inside the carton

Designed to be read bi-directionally

Cannot encode information other than GTIN 14 (product code of homogenous items contained inside the carton)

Note: Appropriate GS1 AIs to be used to identify additional information being encoded as above

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GS1 barcode at tertiary packaging level (logistics unit) containing same (homogenous) products
Case 1 : Homogeneous pack containing multiple units of the same SKU/product variant/product type
Label on tertiary packaging

Mandatory information

First barcode: GTIN-14, expiry date and batch number encoded in GS1-128 symbology

Second barcode: Serial shipping container code (SSCC) encoded in GS1-128 symbology

Optional information

First barcode (01) 08901107000035 (17) 090400 (10) ab12345 Second barcode (00) 189011070000000018 34 Application Identifier (AI) to indicate that the data following it is the GTIN-14 of the tertiary pack GTIN of the tertiary pack generated by the company using the GCP allocated to it AI to indicate that the data following it is the expiry date of the product in YYMMDD format Expiry date of the product in YYMMDD format (April 2009 this case) AI to indicate that the data following it is batch or lot number of the product. Batch/lot number of the product allocated by the company (1 to 20 digits in alpha-numeric format) AI to indicate that the data following it is the SSCC of the tertiary pack. SSCC number of the tertiary pack (18 digit numeric) generated by the company using the GCP allocated to it.
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GS1 barcode at tertiary packaging level (logistics unit) containing different (heterogeneous ) products

Case 2 :Heterogeneous pack containing multiple units of the different SKUs/product variants/product types

Serial shipping container code (SSCC) encoded in GS1-128 symbology

(00)

AI to indicate that the data following it is the unique serial number of the tertiary pack in SSCC format. SSCC (18 digit numeric number) of the tertiary pack generated identify each pack at tertiary level.

189011070000000018 by the company using the GCP allocated to it to uniquely

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Step 5 - Ensure 100% scanning of GS1 BarCode

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Selecting correct Bar Code Size

Size of the symbol will depend on the symbol selected, where it will be used and how it will be

printed.
Refer to the following sections of the GS1 General Specifications (available at http://www.gs1india.org/upload/menu/GS1_General_Specifications_v12.pdf): Section 6.3.3.4 for information on the sizes for EAN/UPC symbols Section 5.4.2 for information on the sizes for ITF-14 and GS1-128 symbols

Note: Symbol size depends on the capability of the selected printing process. The minimum size (magnification) and correct Bar Width Reduction (BWR) for a symbol varies by printing process used and may even vary from one printer to another. Printing companies should adhere to a minimum symbol size (magnification) and BWR as allowed under the GS1 general specs to achieve acceptable and repeatable quality results.

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Formatting the BarCode text

The text in human readable form beneath a bar code is important since it is used in event of damage to the barcode or it being of poor scannability. Human-readable text for ITF-14 and GS1-128 Symbols must be clearly legible and in a size proportional to the symbol size as per GS1 General Specifications (available at http://www.gs1india.org/upload/menu/GS1_General_Specifications_v12.pdf )

Refer to the following sections for information on position, font sizes and types to be used for human
readable text: Section 5.1, Appendix 6 for EAN/UPC symbols Section 5.2.1.6 (ITF-14) and Section 5.3.7.4 (GS1-128) Section 5.3.7.4 for AIs and special characters like parentheses, space etc.

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Selecting correct barcode colour print contrast

Optimum color combination for a GS1 BarCode symbol is black bars with a white background (spaces and quiet zones). In case of use of other colors, the following points should be considered: Dark colors for bars (e.g., black, dark blue, dark brown or dark green but not red as the scanners use red light source) Light backgrounds for the quiet zones and spaces (e.g., white, light yellow etc. but red can also be used as background) The bars should always consist of a single line color Reddish colours like orange, pink, peach, and light yellows may be used for backgrounds, but should be avoided for bars. Avoid use of more than one background colours (color of the substrate/packaging) Avoid reflective colours A gloss coat may reduce the symbol contrast

Transparent wrapping diminishes the contrast

Correct colour options for bars & backgrounds

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Incorrect barcode colours

Incorrect bar colours

Incorrect background colours

Use of multiple background colours

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Correct GS1 BarCode placement

To determine the proper location for GS1 BarCodes, look up the following sections of the GS1 General Specifications (available at http://www.gs1india.org/upload/menu/GS1_General_Specifications_v12.pdf,):
Note:

Logistics Label Design, Section 2.2.4.4 General Placement Principles, Section 6.2 General Placement Guidelines for Retail Point of Sale, Section 6.3 Placement Guidelines for Specific Package Types, Section 6.4 Symbol Placement for Clothing and Fashion Accessories, Section 6.5 General Format Guidelines for Clothing and Fashion Accessories Labels, Section 6.6 General Placement Guidelines for Symbol Placement on Items used in Distribution, Section 6.7

Printing company to be consulted before assigning the symbol rotation since many printing processes require barcodes to be printed in a specific orientation to the feed direction of the web or sheet. When using flexographic printing, bars should run parallel to the press web direction or in the picket fence orientation. If the bars are required to run perpendicular to the press direction or in the ladder orientation, avoid distorting the symbol for the plate roll circumference. When using either silk screen or rotogravure printing processes, the symbol should be aligned parallel to the cell structure on the screen or gravure plate cylinder to provide the smoothest bar edge possible. 41
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Selecting a suitable barcode printer

Select from printer companies listed at http://www.gs1india.org/Support/SolutionProvider

or write to implementation@gs1india.org

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Scannability service offered by GS1 India

Barcode verification service to ensure 100% scannability available with GS1 India.

Provides comprehensive barcode diagnostics to improve scanning quality prior to bulk printing

on packaging materials. Enables conformance with GS1 and ISO specifications and scanning
by different scanners under varying scanning environments.

For details on availing of the above verification service, log on to:

http://www.gs1india.org/service/barcodeverification
or write to implementation@gs1india.org

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Typical GS1 BarCode verification report on different parameters

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Typical GS1 BarCode verification report on different parameters

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Step 6 - Upload product and contact details related to GS1 BarCodes in GEPIR

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Global Electronic Party Information Registry (GEPIR)

Global Electronic Party Information Registry (GEPIR) is an online directory that contains contact information on over 1 million GS1 subscriber companies worldwide.

Note:

GS1 India subscribers are required to upload information on their products and their company in GS1 Indias GEPIR website www.gs1india.org.in . On upload, your data will be included in the GS1 global database that contains contact information on over 1 million subscriber companies worldwide across over 100 countries. Provides visibility to prospective buyers/retailers worldwide. GEPIR is also used as a tool for validation of the GS1 Company Prefix allocated to a company.

For detailed procedure for uploading product and company information in GEPIR, log on to: http://www.gs1india.org.in/staticContaint/GEPIRService.html

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Using the GS1 India website for different requirements

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www.gs1india.org

Please go to GS1 India website www.gs1india.org

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www.gs1india.org

To access FAQs

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www.gs1india.org

To submit a query

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Template of query form

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www.gs1india.org

To download GS1 Gen Specs etc

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India

For general queries contact at info@gs1india.org

For implementation queries contact at implementation@gs1india.org

www.gs1india.org