The GS1 Standards & Keys is the most widely used and globally recognised standard for product identification, distributive trade, product traceability and authentication.
Many countries and regulators have initiated, adopted & implemented guidelines and regulations that include GS1 Standards as a recognised requirement.
We have compiled a few examples below for your reference:
- The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) is a strategic partner of GS1 and requires a valid, active GS1 Malaysia Membership for the labelling and identification of Made-In-Malaysia Products.
- The Ministry of Health (MOH) and the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) recognise the use of GS1 barcodes for the identification of pharmaceutical products and GS1 location identifiers (Global Location Numbers) for the identification of vaccine distribution centres.
- China Customs Implements GTIN Reporting Function in Single Window Declaration System
The China General Administration of Customs (GAC) announced the implementation of the GTIN Reporting function in its "Single Window" customs declaration system on 1st August 2019 to better control food safety as well as effective monitoring of the imported foods supply chain.
The rolled out GTIN (barcode number) reporting function for its single window declaration system represents a key step for the adoption of GS1 barcodes in customs clearance and will help to enhance the standardized import and export customs declarations.
In collaboration with GS1 China, GS1 Malaysia will provide GS1 China with product information of Malaysian brands and products traded in China via the product submission portal.
- GS1 Malaysia in collaboration with GS1 China on the China International Data Application Services
GS1 China is working with the General Administrative of Customs China (GAC) and the Information Center of NMPA (formerly China Drug Center for Food and Drug Administration) to improve cross border data information through the China International Data Application Services. GS1 Malaysia and other GS1 MOs have been invited by GS1 China to participate in this initiative for the benefit of the industry in the Asia Pacific region by providing monthly validated and authenticated GCP and GPC information on all products entering China, to improve China’s consumer product recognition and to expand their trading channels. Information from GS1 Malaysia is provided via the GS1 Malaysia Data Services, powered by the Member Product Databank, that offers and provides a set of Core Services and common infrastructure to issue, store and verify Global Company Prefix (GCP), Global Location Number (GLN), and Global Trade Item Number (GTIN), allowing GS1 Malaysia to advance the authoritative source of key verification and location with greater granularity of data about GS1 identification keys.
- GS1 Malaysia in collaboration with GS1 China to support the China Cold Chain Traceability
GS1 Malaysia collaborated with GS1 China to support the establishment of imported cold chain food traceability systems by the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) under the China Cold Chain Traceability Initiative. The objective is to assist in realizing full food supply chain traceability and to create the ability to perform recalls of products when COVID-19 is detected, due to the risk that COVID-19 can be imported through the cold food supply chain.
As part of the collaborative agreement, a list of 1,500+ companies were provided to GS1 Malaysia by SAMR to confirm GS1 Membership validity and their compliance to GS1 Standards for cold food supply chain traceability under this traceability initiative.
- Collaboration on China Cold Chain Traceability – Beijing Cold Chain Food Traceability Platform
Together with GS1 Asia Pacific MOs, GS1 Malaysia works in collaboration with GS1 China to support full food supply chain traceability and to achieve compliance with the Beijing Municipal Market Regulation Administration’s and the Beijing Commerce Bureau’s Beijing Cold Chain Food Traceability Platform launched on 1st November 2020.
- Mandatory GTIN Adoption on General Trade in China and GTIN Application for Cross Border E-Commerce (CBEC) in Chongqing, China
The China Administration of Customs (GAC) has taken another significant step toward adopting GS1 barcodes on general trade in China by making GS1 GTIN mandatory for certain imported product categories such as Infant Food, Wheaten Food, Biscuits, Beer, Imported Wines and Liquors, Cosmetics and many more.
GAC China has also rolled out a GTIN declaration pilot for all Cross-Border E-Commerce (CBEC) imported products in Chongqing Customs District. The GTIN declaration pilot aims to demonstrate the use of global data standards to ensure smooth information exchange to transform cross border trade e-commerce trade.
- GS1 works in collaboration with Zhejiang Administration, China on Migration to GS1 2D Barcodes for Retail Goods
To meet the growing demands of increased data and data governance processes at the source, GS1 Global, GS1 China together with Zhejiang Provincial Administration for Market Regulation have joined an initiative to implement the use of 2D barcodes & Digital Link on millions of products.
Under the Business to Consumer (B2C) pipeline over 200 stores of the largest merchandise retail chain in Zhejiang will perform hardware and system upgrades to enable POS checkouts with 2D barcodes. It is expected by the end of 2023, 80% of all food companies in Zhejiang should have 2D barcodes printed on their product package.
GS1 Malaysia has commenced the 2D Implementation Initiative to provide training, reference materials, and consultation to members to meet traceability requirements for the Zhejiang Food Chain project.
- Saudi Arabia Implementation of GS1/GTIN in Imported Products
GS1 Saudi Arabia and Saudi Standards Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) are working together on the new legislation requirement for all local importers of the foreign products which are imported to the kingdom of Saudi Arabia using GS1 Standards and Identification Keys. As of January 1, 2020, importers are required to submit imported products information with valid GTINs (allocated by GS1 MOs) as a mandatory field to the centralized portal called “SABER” for facilitating and improving supply chain safety.
- BrandSync UDI Submission for all Medical Devices Traded in UAE
The Dubai Health Authority has announced on 1st January 2020 that they will be relying on GS1 UAE's BrandSync Platform for product information on all existing and new products supplied to Dubai Health Authority, such as medical devices traded in the UAE. The GS1 UAE database will be the single source of product master data supplied to the Dubai Health Authority.
- GS1 designated as Issuing Entity for Unique Device Identification (UDI) by the European Commission
GS1 has been designated by the European Commission as an issuing entity for Unique Device Identifiers (UDIs). Global GS1 Standards meet the European Commission’s criteria for the issuance of UDIs and will support the EU regulators in ensuring a successful implementation of the UDI system as defined by the EU Medical Device and In-Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices regulations, and enabling manufacturers to comply with these requirements that will enter into force in May 2020.
- Algeria GTIN requirements for foodstuffs
The Algerian Ministry of Trade and Export Promotion has announced that a barcode requirement for products intended for human consumption came into force on January 2, 2022. Algeria now requires GTINs for imported products, which applies to foodstuffs and pre-packaged non-food products, manufactured locally or imported. All imported products must bear a barcode issued by a recognised organisation in their country of origin, and their Executive Decree states that the barcode accompanied by the GTIN must be affixed to the product packaging.
https://www.joradp.dz/FTP/jo-francais/2021/F2021023.pdf
- Nigerian Product Validation on Imported Goods
GS1 Malaysia was requested on May 21st, 2022 to provide product information on Malaysian products by GS1 Nigeria to meet the strict product data quality parameters on imported goods sold in Nigeria for product validation and security as part of the cross-border product authentication initiative.
It is reported that two-thirds of all retail products sold in Nigeria are imported goods. GS1 Nigeria will leverage on GS1 retail solutions, specifically the Verified by GS1 via the GS1 Registry Platform, for all product authentication inquiries.
- Vietnam GTIN requirement for customs
All goods traded in Vietnam must include GTIN and product information during customs declaration.
- Australia & New Zealand
Retailers in Australia and New Zealand require a successful barcode label verification for all products sold in retail.
- Russian Decree for declaration of GTIN and GLN for all imported goods
The new Russian decree on June 19th 2022 to include GTIN and Global Location Number (GLN) in the registration, suspension, renewal and termination of the declaration of conformity and the validity of the certificates of conformity come into force on September 1st 2021. The new decree states that the GLN must be present and recommends the inclusion of the GTIN.
- GS1 Standard & Keys in Supporting EU Deforestation Regulations (EUDR)
The EU Regulation on deforestation-free supply chains aims to reduce EU’s impact on global deforestation & degradation, greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity loss. The regulation applies equally to products that originate from EU and outside of it. Producers will need to engage in sustainable production practices and increase supply chain transparency to meet global demand for deforestation-free products.
- EU Regulations on the Digital Product Passport (DPP) - Summer 2024
The EU Digital Product Passport (DPP) is a new proposed mandatory product data structure that all companies exporting or producing in Europe need to follow for a sustainable and circular economy. The Digital Product Passport is part of the mechanism of 2 principal green initiatives in Europe, the European Green Deal and the Circular Economy Action Plan.
The Digital Product Passport aims to be a comprehensive digital record, accessible by scanning the product’s barcode, that provides information about a product’s lifecycle and value chain information for inventory optimisation, reducing environmental impact and enhancing brand reputation.
- Use of GS1 Standards in Egypt Single Window Declaration System.
Egypt launched its single window system (NAFEZA) to modernise customs administration on April 1, 2021, with full implementation on July 1, 2021. The NAFEZA system recognises the GS1 Standards & Keys for customs declarations.
As part of the implementation of NAFEZA Egypt’s Ministry of Finance has issued Decrees on pre-shipment registration under a new single window system that seeks to modernise and automate customs administration, simplify procedures, and reduce clearance times. These include requirements that consignment documents for Egyptian agencies at ports of entry be submitted through the single window system 48 hours prior to shipment arrival.
- MOU signed between TH FDA and TH Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) to drive health product industry consumer security using 2D Barcodes.
The MOU was jointly signed on August 28th 2023 by Mr. Paisarn Dankum, TH FDA Secretary General and Mr. Kriengkrai Thiennukul, FTI Chairman.
- France NumAlim providing product information reference platform
France’s NumAlim established a digital food & beverage product information platform to provide consumers with a list of reliable and accurate product information.
- EU provides ingredient and nutritional declaration for alcoholic beverages via U-Label
U-Label was developed for the wine & spirit industry in the EU to provide ingredients and nutritional declaration for alcoholic beverages.
- Detailed product information via SmartLabel Platform
The Consumer Brands Association developed a SmartLabel Platform that allow consumers to scan a QR Code and have access to detailed product information. The use of the Platform was pioneered by PepsiCo.
- South Korea MFDS enables traceability and visibility of selected products via Smart Food QR Project.
South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) piloted a Smart Food QR Project for selected products to have their food information and traceability information presented in a QR Code.
- Australia Government Commissions Study on Digital Food Labelling
Australia has commissioned a study to look into the potential of digital food labelling in Australia. The report found that the food industry is already considering ways to collect and provide digital food product information.
- India’s FSSAI permits usage of GS1 GTIN to present address and license of prepackaged food manufacturers.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI) permits the use of barcode/Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) as a method of presentation for the address of the brand owner, manufacturer, packer, or bottler for retail and non-retail prepackaged consumer goods. Nutritional information can be provided as well.
- Taiwan FDA allows QR Code usage to present food information on small food packaging.
The Taiwan Food & Drug Administration (Taiwan FDA) permits food container that have outer packaging less than 20 cm as well as ready-to-eat fresh bulk foods to display their food information in the form of a QR Code. This includes list of ingredients and nutritional information. The nutritional labelling must be sturdy and not so easily worn off.
- Vietnam MOST permits Digital-only display of Product Instructions
The Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) published a circular to permit the digital-only display of instruction of use information for food packaging tools and materials.
- Indonesia’s BPOM requires 2D Labelling on Specialty Products and Processed Food.
The National Agency of Drug & Food Control (BPOM) requires processed food and special nutrition processed food to apply for 2D barcode identification on the product label. Symbol to contain registration number, expiry date, batch number, production code, and serial number. For products with a packaging surface area of less than or equal to 30cm2, glass or recyclable bottles, nutritional information can be encoded into 2D barcodes as well.
- Singapore SFA publishes amendment to food regulation to require declaration of statement.
The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) published a draft amendment to Food Regulations to propose for a declaration of statement of ingredients, lot identification, statement for food containing aspartame, direction of use, and storage condition for products with packaging area of less than 10cm2 can be done via website or other electronic means. GS1 is arranging with Food Industry Asia (FIA) to be part of the delegation or working group for this amendment and to take part in the upcoming SFA feasibility pilot.