GS1 Standards
GS1 Standards enable the realisation in the Healthcare sector of all health and economic benefits related to automatic identification, traceability, and data synchronisation.
The GS1 System of Standards includes:
- GS1 Identification Keys: numbering schemas for products, locations, patients, caregivers, and assets
- GS1 BarCodes: several types of bar code, linear and 2-dimensional, for use by GS1 members depending on the application
- GS1 EPCglobal: supporting the use of radio frequency identification
- GS1 GDSN: ensuring global data synchronisation and accurate product data across supply chain partners
- GS1 eCom: supporting electronic document interchange technologies
Healthcare specific standards already ratified:
- GTIN Allocation Rules for Healthcare
- Global Traceability Standard for Healthcare
- EPCglobal Pedigree Messaging Standard
Roadmap for other Healthcare specific standards under development
GS1 Standards are open, global, proven and simple.
- Open, technology-independent standards permit full interoperability and compatibility. End users are not locked into proprietary solutions and R&D resources can be released up for other added value developments once standards have been adopted.
- Healthcare is by nature a global sector, with supply chains that often cross borders. A global standardised system for traceability, from product manufacture to patient treatment, is imperative to comply with the increasing legal requirements for product traceability around the world. In cases of cross border trading, a global trade item number (GTIN)) can be used to identify that product in any country without any restrictions or errors.
- The GS1 System of Standards is a system that has proven its robustness over the last 30+ years in different sectors worldwide.
- Standards must be simple to be useable by all players in the supply chain and not give undue advantage to certain players through complexity.