Latest news with #GS1DataMatrix
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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.
Mid East Info
13-05-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
GS1 UAE hosts landmark healthcare workshop to fast-track national UDI implementation - Middle East Business News and Information
Industry leaders unite to accelerate implementation of GS1 UDI standards across UAE's healthcare ecosystem Dubai, United Arab Emirates – May, 2025 – GS1 UAE recently hosted an exclusive Healthcare User Group UDI Stream focused on accelerating the implementation of Unique Device Identification (UDI) for medical devices in the country. The event brought together leading experts, and global medical technology companies — including representatives from GS1 UAE, MECOMED, BD and Johnson & Johnson — to address critical challenges and explore new opportunities around UDI adoption in the UAE. With participation from both manufacturers and local agents, the event offered a well-rounded perspective on implementation of UDI, focusing on practical experiences, key lessons learned, and the most effective approaches to drive progress. Featuring keynotes, industry presentations, and an open forum for collaboration, the workshop marked as a decisive move to advance patient safety and streamline healthcare supply chains across the nation. 'Enhancing UDI implementation in the UAE requires more than individual effort — it demands a united front,' said Maha Unnisa, Healthcare Manager at GS1 UAE. 'When regulators, healthcare providers, and supply chain partners work together, we move faster, smarter, and with greater impact. At GS1 UAE, we're proud to lead this industry-wide collaboration to make traceability the standard, not the exception — and to build a healthcare system defined by transparency, safety, and trust.' The event featured insights from Rana Chalhoub, Regulatory Affairs Director at MECOMED, who emphasized the region's readiness for UDI standardisation: 'When implementing UDI regulation, it is paramount to consider a phased-in and risk-based approach along with proper transition timelines. Engaging the different MedTech stakeholders, aiming at a globally harmonized and automated UDI data submission process, is key.' Mirette Abskharoun, Associate Director of Regulatory Affairs at Johnson & Johnson, added: 'Adopting global UDI identification standards plays an important role in improving patient safety, streamlining supply chains, and facilitating better traceability'. The session concluded with a live Q&A, followed by the presentation of certificates of appreciation and commemorative trophies to distinguished speakers. Attendees also had the opportunity to network and explore how GS1's global standards — including the GS1 DataMatrix barcode, which is now mandated or recommended in healthcare regulations across 70+ countries — are shaping safer, smarter healthcare systems. This event underscores GS1 UAE's role in championing global standards and echoes GS1 Healthcare's mission to build a future where every medical product is uniquely identified, traceable, and safe for every patient, everywhere. Taking place alongside GS1 Healthcare's 20 th anniversary, the event reflects the global momentum behind two decades of driving patient safety and digital transformation through trusted, standardized barcoding systems. About GS1 UAE: GS1 is a neutral, not-for-profit organisation that provides global standards for efficient business communication. We are best known for the barcode, named in 2016 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. We enable organisations of all types and sizes to identify, capture and share information seamlessly. Our scale and reach – local Member Organisations in 116 countries, more than 2 million user companies and over 10 billion transactions every day – help ensure that GS1 standards create a common language that supports systems and processes across the globe.
Time Business News
24-04-2025
- Business
- Time Business News
How to Select the Best Barcode Registration Type for Your Industry
For big industries or companies, a barcode isn't just a product identifier, it's much more than that. Everything moves at such a fast pace that there's simply no time to manually fetch data for each product. Every barcode is highly unique and can carry important information like product number, batch ID, location code, inventory levels, and pricing, making the entire process much easier. However, depending on your industry, the type of barcode registration you need may vary. That's exactly what we'll explore in this blog. To register a barcode, you first need to understand the different types and choose the one that best fits your industry. Barcode registration means giving your product a unique number code and registering that code in an official database. This helps when someone buys a product like a dress or a makeup item, and the barcode is scanned at Walmart, Flipkart, or any store or warehouse; all the product details instantly appear, such as the product name, price, brand name, stock availability, and product ID for tracking. It makes billing and inventory updates faster Each industry uses different types of barcodes because every industry has its own specific needs and requirements. So, below are the major barcode types and their ideal use cases: 12-digit numeric barcode Widely used in U.S. and Canadian retail stores 13-digit (or 8-digit for smaller items) Standard for global retail outside North America Compact, alphanumeric format Ideal for inventory, shipping, and logistics 2D barcode that stores URLS, text, or digital content Used in marketing, payments, and contactless sharing Numeric-only barcode for outer cartons Durable and used for bulk packaging and shipping Alphanumeric Common in military, automotive, and healthcare sectors 2D barcode that fits on tiny items Common in electronics, pharmaceuticals, and aerospace Stacked linear barcode Used for IDs, driver's licenses, transport tickets Used for books (ISBN), magazines (ISSN), and music (ISMN) Encoded within an EAN-13 structure To register a barcode suitable for your industry, check this out! Industry Recommended Barcode Type Retail (FMCG) UPC or EAN Apparel & Fashion EAN or Code 128 Books & Publishing ISBN (Integrated EAN) Healthcare & Pharma GS1 DataMatrix, Code 128 Food & Beverages EAN, UPC Logistics & Shipping Code 128, ITF-14 E-commerce UPC or EAN Each of these barcodes has its strengths depending on size, readability, and the data encoded Once you've chosen the right type as per your industry, follow these steps below: Go to the GS1 authority or GS1 India's website: The official international organisation that issues barcodes is called GS1. You will receive a unique company prefix for your business Now, assign numbers to your products and create unique identifiers for each SKU. Generate and print barcodes using the barcode software Lastly, register your barcode details online and make sure your barcode is listed in verified databases like GEPIR for validation. Barcodes have become essential for modern businesses. With just one scan, you can access product info like price, inventory, color, size, and quantity, making everything easily trackable. We understand that barcode registration can feel tricky, which is why E-Startup India is here to help. We offer complete online barcode registration services. From company formation and GST registration to barcode, AD code, and trademark registration, we've helped countless clients set up their businesses smoothly. We are ready to do the same for you, all online. There are 100+ types of barcodes, but the most widely used are the ones that we've discussed above. The internationally used barcode (including India ) is EAN-13 (European Article Number-13) A GS1 barcode is a globally recognised, issued by GS1, a non-profit organization that develops and maintains supply chain standards across industries. By acquiring a GS1 company prefix and creating distinct product codes via the GS1 portal, barcodes can be registered. Yes. Every variant (size, color, flavor, etc) requires a separate barcode. You can generate barcodes, but they won't be registered or accepted by major retailers unless issued via GS1. Accepted by major marketplaces like Amazon and Flipkart Makes inventory and supply chain management easier Compatible with retail billing systems Easy to scale as your product list grows Helps build product authenticity and brand trust EIN-13 consists of 13 digits, and it is used worldwide to identify products. The main difference between them is that EAN is used globally, while UPC is mainly used in the US and Canada. No, it doesn't expire. However, if you've registered with GS1, you might renew the license or its subscription. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
