GS1 is a neutral, not-for-profit association that develops and maintains global standards for efficient business communication. With roots that stretch back to 1975, they support Canadian businesses of all types and sizes.

As the global standards organization that develops and maintains the world’s most widely used systems for identifying, capturing, and sharing product and supply‑chain information, including:

• GTINs (barcodes)
• GLNs (location identifiers)
• EDI standards.

These standards enable interoperability, traceability, accurate product identification, and efficient commerce across every industry.

Defining key identifiers, such as the Global Trade Item Number (GTIN), used worldwide to uniquely identify trade items, including any product or service that is priced, ordered, or invoiced in the supply chain.

GS1 also oversees standardized barcode formats (e.g., UPC, EAN) and provides business rules for assigning and managing GTINs across channels and markets.

For more information visit GS1.