The main advantage of the GS1 System, apart from its global reach, is the ability to use a wide range of standards. The choice of the most appropriate solutions, and then their proper implementation, depends primarily on the scope of knowledge possessed by companies. Consultants involved in implementations in broadly understood logistics, IT specialists, or finally students starting their adventure with automatic identification, are looking for answers to many detailed questions, for example: what is the structure of the numbers, which identifier should be used, what is the most appropriate code location? The answer to questions regarding GS1 standards can be found in one publication, the GS1 General Specifications, available on the website http://www.gs1pl.org/. The Specifications are a document binding in all GS1 member organizations. They constitute a collection of consistent definitions, often referring to ISO standards, and practical explanations for the principles of Automatic Data Collection and Identification. This document is updated by GS1 working groups at least once a year. Due to questions appearing from Participants regarding changes in the currently applicable version 7.1, I will try to briefly describe the most important ones.
1. Recommendations for representing GTIN-8 in ITF-14 and GS1-128 symbologies have been removed from the Specifications. In practice, GTIN-8 numbers are assigned primarily to products with small dimensions, for which the surface area intended for printing is significantly limited. For such applications, the system recommends using the EAN-8 symbology, which, due to the space it occupies, allows for placing a larger number of additional information on the packaging than in the case of using ITF-14 and GS1-128 symbologies with the same number structure.
2. Another change concerns the removal of the possibility of using GTIN-8 with leading zeros with Application Identifier (01). The AI (01) structure requires a 14-digit GTIN number structure. Hence, in the case of creating a number for collective or logistical units, the appropriate GTIN should be built from: the appropriate “packaging level indicator”, additional zeros, the GTIN-8 number, and a new check digit. A number in this form can be represented in ITF-14 and GS1-128 symbologies. The above change does not apply to the use of GTIN-8 for applications with AI (02).
3. New Application Identifiers AI (Chapter 2.1):
– Order Number: AI (242) – is used as a differentiator for unique trade units. It allows for the identification of goods made to a one-off order, in accordance with individual customer specifications. More information on the applications of this identifier can be found in chapter 2.6.7 of the General Specifications (G.S.)
– Global Document Type Identifier: AI (253) – is assigned by the document creator. The number can be used as an access key to a database storing information or for the purpose of controlling the flow of information within cells
– Additional Component of the Global Location Number: GLN AI (254) – the use of AI (254) is optional, but if a company decides to use it, it must be provided in applications together with AI (414), containing the GLN number.
Locations that currently have an assigned GLN can use additional markings to specify their description (for example, to identify entrances, gates, storage areas, shelves, and other company resources). It should be remembered that such resources can just as well be identified by unique GLNs without the use of additional markings
– Expiration Date and Time: AI (7003) – with the help of this identifier, the manufacturer can specify the expiration date and time of units. In cases where there is no need to provide the date with an accuracy of an hour or minute, AI (17) should be used. Such detailed marking can be used, for example, for marking laboratory samples.
The article comes from the magazine “Logistyka” 6/2007.