GS1 Identification System. 1. What is GS1 Identification system?

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1 GS1 Identification System 1. What is GS1 Identification system? The GS1 Identification System provides two types of identifiers. The first or primary identifiers are called GS1 Keys like the Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) or Global Location Number (GLN). The GS1 identification keys allow the retrieval of information stored in computer databases. Beyond the Keys, the GS1 Identification System also provides application identifiers to provide information about key "attributes" like Lot Numbers,Expiration Date etc. 2. What can be identified using the GS1 Identification Numbers? Trade items: Products and services that are priced, ordered or invoiced at any point in the supply chains can be identified by using Global Trade Item Number (GTIN). Logistic units: Physical units established for transport and storage of products of any kind that need to be tracked and traced individually in a supply chain can be identified by using Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC). Assets: Fixed and returnable assets can be identified by using Global Individual Asset Identifier (GIAI) and Global Returnable Asset Identifier (GRAI) respectively. Locations/Entities: Physical, functional or legal entities requiring a permanent identification, such as a company, department, or warehouse can be identified by using Global Location Number (GLN). Service Relations: Public or private service provider can track any customer's service requirements and needs over a continuing relationship by using Global Service Relation Number (GSRN). Documents: Documents such as insurance policy, proof of shipment form, internal invoice, phone bill, etc are linked with the database that holds the `master' copy of the document by using Global Document Type Identification (GDTI). Shipments: Groupings of logistics units meant for trade, referencing a dispatch advice and/or Bill of Lading (BOL), are identified using Global shipment Identification Number (GSIN) which comply with the regulations of the World Customs Organization (WCO). Consignments: Groupings of logistics units that are assembled to be transported together under one transport document, are identified using Global Identification Number for Consignments (GINC). 3. What is a Global Trade Item Number (GTIN)? The GTIN is the foundation of the GS1 System. It is used for uniquely and universally identifying trade items, which includes both products and services that are sold, delivered, and invoiced at any point in the supply chain. 4. Is a unique GTIN required for every level of packaging? Yes. There should be a unique GTIN identifying the consumer unit, an inner pack, multi-pack, case, or pallet where applicable.

2 5. If a change is made to the product does the GTIN need to change? A separate unique GTIN is required whenever any of the pre-defined characteristics of a trade item are different in any way that is relevant to the trading process. The guiding principle is if the consumer is expected to distinguish a new trade item from an old trade item and purchase accordingly, a new GTIN should be assigned to the new trade item (product package and shelf edge label declarations should appear the same to the consumer). For complete information, refer to the GTIN Allocation Rules 6. When is a "9" used as the Indicator digit in a GTIN? Verification It is used to indicate a variable measure product. 7. How do I ensure that the GS1 barcodes printed on my products would scan? The first three barcode product packaging samples can be sent to GS1 India for verification on scannability, free of cost. For additional samples, fee structure is applicable. 8. How do I ensure that GS1 barcodes printed at my end conform to GS1 specs on color combinations, barcode size, location, quiet zones etc? Implementation You need to go through the GS1 specifications and ensure conformance to it. 9. What all information can I include in the GS1 barcode? GS1 company prefix number is used to generate unique product codes for each product variant/type/sku. This number is generally linked to other product attribute information related to its price, description etc which are stored in the item master application at the POS/backend. GS1 prefix numbers can also be used to generate unique coding of cartons and shipments with other attribute information as desired. For details on same, go to implementation guidelines. 10. How do I print GS1 barcodes on my products? After generating the product codes as per implementation guidelines, provide the GS1 specs to your printer for making modifications in your product packaging artwork to incorporate GS1 barcodes. In the event you require to sticker/label your products (where printing directly on the product is not done), you can approach any of the solution providers for assistance in generation of the labels, any hardware required (barcode scanners, printing machines, consumables etc).

3 FAQs for Barcode implementation as per DGFT guidelines 1. What is the objective of the DGFT notification on implementation of barcoding on export consignments of pharmaceuticals? The objective is to facilitate track & trace of export consignments of pharmaceutical products using barcode technology. 2. At which packaging levels is barcoding required to be implemented? Barcoding is required to be implemented at primary, secondary and tertiary packaging levels. A primary pack is defined as the first level of packaging in direct contact with the product and marked with an AIDC (Automatic Identification and Data Capture) data carrier either on the packaging or on a label affixed to the packaging. It may consist of a single item or group of items for a single therapy such as a Kit. A secondary pack is defined as a level of packaging that may contain one or more primary packages or a group of primary packages containing a single item. A tertiary pack comprises of multiple secondary packs or secondary pack levels. Tertiary packs are normally the ones which are dispatched as logistic units/shipments. 3. Is exemption from implementation of the DGFT notification on barcoding permitted in any instance? Exemptions are listed in the DGFT notification. As per the notification, in case the importing country has mandated a specific requirement, the exporter can adhere to the same and it would not be necessary to comply with the stipulations for primary, secondary and tertiary packaging level barcoding as articulated in the DGFT notification. It may be noted that exemption is allowed only if the specific requirement is from the Government/Regulator in the importing country. Such exemption is not permitted based on importer/buyer requirements only. 4. On which medicines/drugs are barcodes as stipulated by DGFT required to be implemented? Clarification may be sought from Pharmexcil, the export promotion body for pharmaceuticals under the Ministry of Commerce. Contact details of the same are available at 5. What information is required to be encoded in barcodes at various packaging levels of medicines for exports? The requirements for the same are detailed in the DGFT notification. For details on implementation of barcoding at different packaging levels, access the same under Barcoding on exported consignments at 6. What is GTIN and what is unique serial number and how are they created and assigned? GTIN (Global Trade Identification Number) is the unique product identification code which comprises of 14 digits. These are created by the brand owner for each product type/variant/sku

4 using the GS1 company prefix number allocated to a company by GS1. For details on how to create GTINs using the company prefix number, look at the implementation guideline Javailable under Barcoding on exported consignments at Unique serial numbers are used in addition to GTIN to uniquely identify different packages at the primary, secondary and tertiary pack levels. At the tertiary level packaging, unique serial nos. should be created using the SSCC format as provided in implementation guidelines. 7. What barcode symbologies are to be adopted at different packaging levels? As per the DGFT notification, the following symbologies are to be used at different packaging levels: Primary level packaging: GS1 Datamatrix which is a 2D barcode symbology. Secondary level packaging: GS1 128 linear (1D) barcode symbology or GS1 Datamatrix (2D) barcode symbology. Tertiary level packaging: GS1 128 linear (1D) barcode symbology. No other barcode symbology is permitted at any packaging level except that stipulated above. 8. What is a homogeneous and heterogeneous pack? Homogenous package: Is defined as a package containing multiple units of the same (only one) product packaging type. If a Shipper/Carton/Tertiary level packaging is a homogeneous package then there shall be two barcodes on the label containing GTIN, Expiry Date, Batch no. encoded in the first barcode and SSCC encoded in the second barcode. Heterogeneous package: Is defined as a package containing multiple units of different (more than one) product packaging type. If a Shipper/Carton/Tertiary level packaging is a heterogeneous package then there shall be only one barcode on the label encoding SSCC. 9. How is the barcode to be implemented on very small packs like those of vials etc? As per the DGFT notification, if the space for printing the stipulated size of barcode is not sufficient, the same information should be printed on the pack in human readable form. 10. I already have an EAN 13 digit product code printed on my product packaging. What do I need to do to comply with the DGFT notification? You need to affix a 0 in front 3of the 1 LEAN 13 code being currently l used by you to convert it into a 14-digit code (GTIN-14) as required under the DGFT notification for unique product identification. 11. Does the GTIN for a medicine change with different packaging levels? Yes, GTIN of the medicine changes at each packaging level and packaging configuration. For details on how to Rgenerate, look R up Junder Barcoding Oon exported consignments at

5 12. Does the GTIN for a medicine change with a packaging configuration at the same packaging level? Yes, GTIN of the medicine changes with its packaging configuration. For e.g. XYZ product may have packaging configuration of 10 or 20 pills as options. Different and unique GTIN is needs to be created for each packaging configuration. 13. For the same GTIN, is the serial number the same as well? No, serial numbers are required to be unique for each item even if the GTIN (product variant/sku) is the same. 14. What is the data-structure of the serial number and batch number to be adopted for primary and secondary packaging levels? Serial number of the product is a variable data structure and can have 1 to 20 alphanumeric characters given by manufacturer/brand owner. It is preceded by GS1 Application identifier (AI) 21. The purpose of the AI is to indicate the nature of information that follows it. Batch number of the product is a variable data structure and can have 1 to 20 alphanumeric characters given by manufacturer/brand owner. It is preceded by GS1 AI 10. The purpose of the AI is to indicate the nature of information that follows it.