Latest news with #GS1
The Hindu
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
India playing leadership role in adoption of next-generation barcodes and global standards that support transparency, traceability, and sustainability says GS1 CEO
India is poised at the forefront of the global roadmap for next-generation barcodes and QR codes, aligning with GS1 Vision 2030 and these barcodes would be a game-changer — by giving consumers, businesses, and regulators instant access to trusted information with a simple scan said Renaud De Barbuat, President & CEO of GS1, the global non-profit organisation which is into development and maintenance of it's own standards for barcodes in an interview. Excerpts: What were the key reasons for selecting India as the host country for this year's GS1 General Assembly? India was a natural choice to host this year's GS1 General Assembly because of its growing influence in global trade, digital innovation, and standards adoption. It is the largest country in terms of population and soon to be ranked as third economy in the world. GS1 India has become a key player in the GS1 global network. With over 30,000 member companies and strong partnerships across government and industry, GS1 India is advancing digitalisation and smarter supply chains in sectors like retail, food, healthcare, agriculture, and logistics. India is also playing a leadership role in the adoption of next-generation barcodes and global standards that support transparency, traceability, and sustainability. From enabling more efficient product recalls to supporting regulatory compliance and food safety, GS1 standards are having real impact on the ground in India. As we celebrate the approval of GS1 Vision 2030 — a major milestone for our organization — we wanted to do so in a country that represents the future of global commerce. India, with its scale, digital ambition and dynamic economy, is exactly that. What is the current level of adoption of GS1 standards in India, and how has it evolved? The adoption of GS1 standards in India has witnessed remarkable growth over the years, transforming various sectors by enabling efficiency, transparency, and digital integration. From fewer than 100 subscribers at its inception, GS1 India now boasts a strong network of over 34,000 and counting, demonstrating the industry's increasing reliance on standardized product identification, traceability, and data management. The retail, healthcare, logistics, and manufacturing industries have particularly benefited from GS1 standards, ensuring seamless supply chain operations and enhanced consumer trust. Contributing sectors include Food & Beverages, healthcare, agriculture, personal care, transport and logistics. Key initiatives that were implemented include Efficient Consumer Response (ECR) platform at earlier stage), then moved to NIFR (National Industry Forum for Retail) and NIFH (National Industry Forum for healthcare) which were designed to align industry stakeholders for standards adoption. As India's digital economy expands, GS1 standards continue to serve as a foundational tool, supporting e-commerce, regulatory compliance, and global trade integration. The steady adoption underscores the industry's commitment to building a more structured and responsive marketplace, ensuring sustainable growth for the future. What is the significance of introducing next-generation barcodes, why is there a need for them, and how will their implementation be carried out? Next-generation barcodes are a game-changer—they give consumers, businesses, and regulators instant access to trusted information with a simple scan. The barcodes we know today—the black-and-white stripes introduced 50 years ago—are scanned 10 billion times every day. But they can only carry a limited amount of information. In today's world, that's no longer enough and the need is to reduce the gaps between physical and digital product experience. Consumers want to know where a product comes from, how it was made, and how to recycle it. Regulators require more transparency. And businesses need real-time data to improve efficiency and sustainability. That's where next-generation barcodes come in—like QR Codes powered by GS1 and GS1 DataMatrix. These barcodes can carry much richer information and connect to trusted digital content. For example, Woolworths in Australia is using them to reduce food waste by tracking expiry dates more accurately. Coca-Cola Latin America uses them to track reusable bottles and support sustainability goals. The implementation is already underway in over 45 countries, including India. GS1 is working closely with retailers, manufacturers, and solution providers to support a phased rollout. The global goal is that by the end of 2027, retail point-of-sale systems should be able to scan both traditional and next-generation barcodes. In parallel, many brand owners are already adopting the new codes for priority use cases. This is not just a tech upgrade—it's a transition that will make supply chains more transparent, products safer, and commerce more digital and consumer-friendly. What is the current volume of barcode scans globally, how is it growing year over year, and what are the key challenges in implementing barcodes across industries? We estimate that over 1 billion products carry GS1 barcodes and barcodes are scanned more than 10 billion times a day. Barcode usage has been consistently growing since this technology was adopted in the 1970's in the US. How is GS1 tackling the issue of counterfeiting through its systems and standards? GS1 standards play a pivotal role in combating counterfeiting by enabling comprehensive product traceability and verification throughout global supply chains. Counterfeiting poses significant risks across various sectors, notably in healthcare, where the integrity of products is paramount. GS1 addresses this challenge by providing global standards that allow for the unique identification, tracking, and authentication of every product, regardless of its location in the supply chain. Advanced barcoding systems, such as QR Codes powered by GS1 and GS1 DataMatrix, can encapsulate detailed information, including serial numbers, batch data, and expiry dates, linking to secure digital records. This level of detail facilitates the detection and removal of counterfeit products before they reach consumers. A pertinent example is Johnson & Johnson's initiative in Colombia, where they proactively implemented serialization based on GS1 standards to combat counterfeit medicines. By assigning unique identifiers to individual product units, they enhanced the traceability and verification of their products, even in the absence of regulatory mandates. This approach not only safeguarded their supply chain but also reinforced their commitment to patient safety. While GS1 does not directly police counterfeit activities, our global, open standards provide the essential tools for companies and regulators to build robust systems that detect and prevent the infiltration of counterfeit goods, thereby enhancing the safety and transparency of supply chains. Beyond retail and pharmaceuticals, which other industries are currently adopting GS1 standards, and which sectors show strong potential for future adoption? Beyond retail and healthcare, new industries and digital platforms are discovering the power of trusted data. GS1 standards are expanding their reach as more sectors embrace transparency, efficiency, and global interoperability. While retail and healthcare continue to lead adoption, marketplaces are rapidly emerging as a major force driving demand for product identification and data accuracy. Sellers on platforms like Amazon increasingly rely on GS1 barcodes to ensure product listings are trusted, compliant, and easily discoverable. Meanwhile, agriculture is becoming a priority sector, as global food systems face pressure to improve traceability, reduce waste, and meet export requirements. GS1 standards are helping stakeholders track fresh produce, enhance food safety, and align with global trade protocols — making it easier for farmers and exporters to access new markets. Construction and rail are also gaining momentum. With increasing regulatory and sustainability demands, companies in these industries are beginning to adopt GS1 identifiers to manage materials, improve safety, and ensure better lifecycle tracking of infrastructure assets. These industries are now part of GS1's global market priorities under Vision 2030 — which focuses on helping all sectors unlock the value of trusted, interoperable data to build smarter, more resilient supply chains. What role are MSMEs playing in enabling a barcode-based, transparent, and traceable supply chain? Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are essential to building a truly inclusive, transparent, and traceable supply chain—and GS1 standards are designed to support them at every step. MSMEs make up over 90% of businesses in many economies, including India, and play a foundational role in producing, packaging, and distributing goods. But too often, smaller businesses face barriers when trying to digitise or enter global value chains. GS1 helps level the playing field by providing simple, globally recognised standards—like barcodes—that any company, regardless of size or sector, can use to uniquely identify and track their products. With these standards, MSMEs can list their products on e-commerce marketplaces, meet traceability and regulatory requirements, gain visibility in the supply chain, build trust with retailers and consumers alike. By adopting GS1 barcodes, a small food manufacturer can now export products abroad or supply to major retail chains. As next-generation barcodes become the new standard, they will unlock even more value for MSMEs—giving them the ability to share product data digitally, meet sustainability requirements, and offer consumers transparency that rivals the biggest brands. Ultimately, the more inclusive the system, the stronger and more trustworthy the supply chain becomes. That's why empowering MSMEs is at the heart of GS1's mission. Which country currently leads in barcode usage, and which regions are emerging as high-growth markets? Barcodes are universal—but today, the innovation frontier is shifting to high-growth markets like India. For decades, mature economies like the United States and Western European countries have led the way in barcode adoption. Retailers, healthcare systems, and logistics providers in these regions have long relied on GS1 standards to ensure efficiency, traceability, and safety. But what's truly exciting now is where the momentum is heading. Countries across Asia, Latin America, and Africa are emerging as innovation hotspots—not just adopting barcodes but also jumping straight into the use of next generation barcodes like QR Codes powered by GS1 and GS1 DataMatrix. India, in particular, is a standout example. With a thriving digital economy, strong public-private collaboration, India is rapidly becoming one of the world's most dynamic markets for barcode adoption. The future of barcodes is global, and the most exciting developments are happening where the challenges—and opportunities—are greatest. How does India fit into the global roadmap for the future of barcodes and QR codes? India is poised at the forefront of the global roadmap for next-generation barcodes and QR codes, aligning its strategic initiatives with GS1 Vision 2030 — 'Powering Trust in data for everyone, everywhere,' accelerating business value creation for industries through the development of registries, and working as one unified entity, 'One GS1'. There is need for variable data and GS1 is filling the requirement as per the industry ask. This forward-thinking approach underscores India's commitment to driving digital transformation. With trusted product identification as the core strategy, India's proactive embrace of innovative practices and collaborative industry partnerships positions the nation as a vital contributor. How is India contributing to technology or innovation behind GS1 barcodes, especially the next-generation 2D barcodes? GS1 India is at the forefront of driving innovation in barcode technology by spearheading the adoption of next-generation 2D barcodes. The movement, facilitated by GS1 India, has not only raised widespread awareness about the benefits of these advanced barcodes but has also played a pivotal role in educating the AIDC industry—inclusive of printing and scanning technology providers—ensuring that their systems are fully compatible with the evolving standards. At the same time, GS1 India has been actively engaged in running proof-of-concept initiatives and pilot projects in close collaboration with leading brands, manufacturers, and retailers. These efforts are designed to facilitate a seamless transition to next-generation barcodes across the industry, reinforcing India's contribution to technological advancement and innovation in product identification and traceability.
The Hindu
19-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
New generation barcodes to go live from 2027: GS1
The next-generation QR Codes will be introduced by GS1, a global standards organisation, from 2027 to bring in more transparency, traceability and to protect consumer interest. Currently being tested in three countries, including in Australia, the QR codes will be rolled out in India depending on the preparedness of manufacturers who have to incorporate the new generation barcodes in their products, said top GS1 executives. S. Swaminathan, CEO, GS1 India said, 'As far as India is concerned, 2027 is an ambition and we invite both retailers and manufacturers to reach that. That's their decision at the end.' 'What we do is for retail, we will have a period where you will find on the package both the traditional lineal barcode and the QR code. So, it will ensure that for a certain period of time, even if the retailer hasn't upgraded the point of sale, you can sell but you will also get the benefit of the QR code with more information at the same time,' he said. 'And then later on, when in a given country, the vast majority of the retailers will have the capability to scan the QR code, then manufacturers will be able to put only one. But it will depend from one country to the other on how advanced the retailers are,' he added. Considering the level of digitisation in India and the country's economic stature as it would soon be the world's third largest economy, this is for the first time GS1 is holding its General Assembly in India which will have participation from all member countries. Renaud de Barbuat, President and CEO, GS1 said, 'For GS1 India is one of the most important countries for us. And the fact that India will become the third-largest economy pretty soon in the world is an indication of how important it is. And I would say that the GS1 India is one of the fastest growing local organizations.' 'So, from a digital standpoint and from a growth standpoint India is absolutely critical for us,' he added. On this occasion GS1 which started implementing barcodes 50 years back will unveil its Vision 2030 to mark a transition to the new era. Mark Batenic, Chairman, GS1 Management Board while briefing in Mumbai said 'Vision 2030 builds on GS1's 50-year history of the barcode. Vision 2030 is going to address the urgent need of consumers and patients who are asking for more transparency and safety. That's what standards and this information is all about.' 'There's an urgent need in the industries for a digital transformation, supply chain resilience, which we've all experienced things in the past years, enable sustainability, consumer experience, patient safety. That's what we're here for, and that's what Vision 2030 is going to try to accomplish,' he said.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
19-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
GS1 to roll out next-generation barcodes by 2027 to boost transparency
GS1, the non-profit standards organisation that develops barcodes, is preparing to replace the current system with next-generation formats such as QR Codes powered by GS1 and GS1 DataMatrix. The global rollout is expected by 2027 and aims to improve product traceability and supply chain transparency. The announcement was made at GS1's General Assembly held in Mumbai on Monday. The organisation said the transition will enable businesses, consumers and regulators to access product-specific information—including expiry dates, sourcing data and recall notices—through a single scan. GS1 operates in 118 countries and supports over 2 million businesses. Its barcodes are scanned more than 10 billion times daily. As a neutral, not-for-profit entity, GS1 develops and maintains open standards used across retail, logistics, healthcare, agriculture and other sectors. 'In the next phase, every product will carry barcodes that provide structured data rather than just price and identity,' said Renaud de Barbuat, President and CEO of GS1 Global. 'The focus is on improving identification, traceability and information-sharing.' In India, GS1 standards are already used in national programmes such as FASTag, Ayushman Bharat and ROHINI (a hospital registry). GS1 India, the local affiliate, is working with the government and private sector to expand the adoption of advanced barcodes across healthcare and retail. S. Swaminathan, CEO of GS1 India, said the upgraded barcode version could help track the movement of medicines, medical devices and agricultural goods through standardised labelling. The organisation is working with health agencies to integrate the system into Ayushman Bharat for inventory management and cost tracking. India is one of GS1's fastest-growing markets. The organisation cited India's scale, digital transformation and the government's efforts to strengthen the drug supply chain as key factors in making the country central to GS1's Vision 2030 roadmap. The roadmap includes unifying global operations, modernising identification systems and enhancing infrastructure to support digital commerce and logistics. According to the GS1 management board, India's significance lies in both its manufacturing base—particularly in pharmaceuticals and medical devices—and its expanding consumer market. GS1 stressed the need for Indian supply chains to align with global standards as international trade becomes more interconnected. The new barcode system is being positioned as a tool to verify product authenticity in sectors such as pharmaceuticals. Hospitals and pharmacies will be able to scan a medicine pack to confirm its origin, manufacturing date and batch number. GS1 said this can aid in product recalls and reduce the spread of substandard or counterfeit drugs. The transition from traditional 1D barcodes to 2D formats like QR Codes will occur over the next two years, with full implementation planned by 2027. GS1 is working with stakeholders to ensure that systems are upgraded to read and process the new codes. These barcodes are also compatible with smartphone cameras, allowing broader accessibility without the need for proprietary scanners. The upgraded barcodes will be structured to support integration with technologies such as artificial intelligence and blockchain, especially for applications requiring secure and multi-party data sharing. Mark Batenic, Chairman of the GS1 Global Board, said coordination between local affiliates and central teams is underway to develop consistent implementation guidelines for both developed and emerging markets. The new standards will remain open and technology-neutral to ensure scalability. GS1's Vision 2030, also presented at the General Assembly, outlines plans to unify operations under the 'One GS1' framework and expand its identification systems' use in digital commerce and logistics. The organisation does not develop or sell commercial products but provides the infrastructure for global data exchange. It remains funded through membership fees and related services, not through product sales. Current barcodes will remain valid during the transition. Businesses will be required to update packaging, point-of-sale systems and inventory management software to support the new standard.
Business Upturn
19-05-2025
- Business
- Business Upturn
GS1 India to Host GS1 General Assembly 2025 in Mumbai: ‘Building Bridges for a Better Tomorrow'
MUMBAI , India , May 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — GS1 India is proud to host the GS1 General Assembly 2025 in Mumbai from 20th to 22nd May 2025 . With the theme 'Building Bridges for a Better Tomorrow,' this prestigious annual global event brings together leaders and change makers to shape the future of global supply chains. GS1 India will be hosting the GS1 General Assembly in Mumbai from 20th to 22nd May 2025. The event will have 250+ guests representing the GS1 Management Board comprising some of the global leading companies, and Chairmen and CEOs representing 118 Member Organizations worldwide. Together, these global leaders will explore how standards and emerging technologies are accelerating digital transformation and enabling smarter, more resilient supply chains—with a central highlight being the official approval of GS1 Vision 2030, the organisation's bold new strategic direction. 'With the approval of GS1 Vision 2030 here in India , we mark a milestone moment for our global community. This new strategy sets a bold course for the future—one where data can be trusted, shared, and acted upon in real time. In a world shaped by digital acceleration and AI, our role is to enable companies of all sizes to seamlessly reach markets, enhance supply chain efficiency and resilience, meet sustainability and regulatory demands, and empower consumers and patients with information they can trust,' said Renaud de Barbuat, President and CEO, GS1. S. Swaminathan, CEO, GS1 India said, 'We are honoured to host the GS1 General Assembly 2025. As supply chains around the world evolve to become more digital, transparent, and resilient, this year's them reflects our collective commitment to collaboration and transformation. Through global standards, we are not just enabling smarter supply chains; we are laying the foundation for trustworthy ecosystems powered by trusted data that benefit consumers, businesses, and governments alike.' The event will have voices from Indian industry sectors such as retail, healthcare, technology, supply chain management, and e-commerce. These leaders will explore how global standards and emerging technologies are accelerating digital transformation and creating smarter, more resilient supply chains. Key discussion topics will include: The launch of Vision 2030 and its impact on the industry Ambition 2027 and the global transition to next generation barcodes The transformative impact of emerging technologies like AI and Block chain About GS1 GS1 is a neutral, not-for-profit standards organisation that is best known for the barcode, named by the BBC as one of 'the 50 things that made the world economy.' GS1 standards improve the efficiency, safety and visibility of supply chains across physical and digital channels in 25 sectors. GS1 standards enable organisations to identify, capture and share information seamlessly. Our scale and reach – local Member Organisations in 118 countries, more than 2 million user companies and 10 billion transactions every day –ensure that GS1 standards create a common language that supports systems and processes across the globe. Find out more at About GS1 India GS1 India is a member organisation affiliated to GS1 Global. It has been setup by the Ministry of Commerce, Govt. of India along with trade bodies like CII, FICCI, IMC, ASSOCHAM, APEDA, FIEO and organisations such as Spices Board, Indian Institute of Packaging and BIS. Find out more at The GS1 General Assembly is an annual meeting which brings entire GS1 global community together and where organisation's key decisions and global disruptions are discussed. View original content: Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PR Newswire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same.
Business Wire
13-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
CTG and Kezzler Join Forces to Power Next-Generation Supply Chain
BUFFALO, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CTG, a Cegeka Group company (the "Company") and a leader in digital transformation and IT solutions, and Kezzler, a leader in large-scale traceability solutions, announced today a strategic partnership designed to transform supply chain traceability, empowering enterprises with greater visibility, agility, and responsiveness during disruptions. The partnership combines Kezzler's powerful traceability technology and deep industry expertise with CTG's proven experience deploying intelligent technologies as part of integrated enterprise systems, such as ERP and warehouse management platforms. Together, CTG and Kezzler enable enterprises to meet traceability requirements while gaining valuable insights to streamline operations. By adopting GS1 standards—widely used guidelines that ensure consistency and interoperability in supply chain data—the partnership delivers solutions for any industry where traceability is a priority, including manufacturing, retail, and food and beverage. 'Traceability has emerged as a vital strategic capability for enterprises operating in complex global markets,' said Tom Niehaus, Executive Vice President of CTG. 'Compliance is just the start—enterprises need agility and insight to stay ahead. Our partnership with Kezzler enables CTG to not only help solve regulatory needs, but to turn traceability into a driver of efficiency, innovation, and growth.' The partnership delivers key capabilities to simplify compliance, boost visibility, and transform traceability into a strategic asset: Easier regulatory compliance: Kezzler's intuitive technology enables seamless tracking of products from origin to consumer, simplifying compliance. Fully integrated systems: CTG integrates Kezzler's traceability solution directly with existing business systems, eliminating complexity and providing real-time visibility. Smarter supply chains: Insights from product tracking data enhance response times during recalls, improve supplier oversight, and help identify and manage risks. Global support and service: CTG's global managed services ensure businesses have continuous compliance monitoring and scalable support. 'This partnership is about scale, speed, and simplicity,' said Robert Lillefloth, Chief Revenue Officer at Kezzler. 'CTG's integration expertise complements Kezzler's enterprise-grade traceability software that's future-proof for tomorrow's supply chains. Together, we're enabling companies to move beyond pilot projects and implement future-ready, interoperable solutions that reduce risk and unlock operational intelligence. The collaboration positions CTG and Kezzler as trusted partners for enterprises seeking to modernize their supply chains, improve recall readiness, and build long-term value through traceability." CTG will showcase their capabilities at the GS1 Conference (booth 200) in Nashville, TN, June 10-12, 2025. For more information about CTG's traceability solutions, visit About CTG CTG, a Cegeka company, delivers IT and business solutions that enhance clients' digital agility, empowering them to seize new opportunities and overcome challenges. Our expertise, grounded in more than 55 years' experience, drives data-driven decisions, boosts business performance, enhances customer experiences, fosters continuous innovation, and elevates cyber resilience. CTG combines local market knowledge with the global expertise of over 10,000 team members in more than 15 countries to provide innovative, tailored solutions. Together, we operate across the Americas, Europe, and India, working with over 3,000 clients in high-growth industries. CTG is a Great Place to Work Certified™ company. Visit About Kezzler Kezzler is a technology leader in enterprise traceability solutions, specializing in supply chain visibility, data interoperability, and scalable event repositories. The Kezzler Connected Products Platform enables businesses across industries to collect, structure, and share secure, real-time value chain data at scale—ensuring traceability, compliance, consumer engagement, and operational intelligence across industries. Learn more at
