About Traceability

In manufacturing industries, managers constantly need to know the answers to a variety of questions: Does this shipment contain what we ordered? Do I have the right level of visibility to optimize the physical flow of my goods? Would I have the information I needed if there were a recall or withdrawal?
In supermarket aisles and in home kitchens, consumers are asking themselves if food is safe, if it contains what the package says it does.
Traceability can provide the answers to questions like these and many others.

In short: traceability is now a vital part of the supply chain.

But traceability can only be achieved successfully if it is built upon global standards that can act as the foundation for clear, understandable exchanges for everyone involved.

GS1 has succeeded in producing a global business agreement on generic requirements and
a common way to describe the traceability process, while taking into account differences
imposed by diverse legislative and business requirements and diverging expectations in terms
of enabling technologies

GS1 Global Traceability Standard: makes traceability systems possible on a global scale

The GS1 Global Traceability Standard is a business process standard describing the traceability process independently from the choice of enabling technologies. It defines minimum requirements for companies of all sizes across industry sectors and corresponding GS1 Standards used within information management tools.
The GS1 Global Traceability Standard (GTS) makes traceability systems possible on a global scale, for both small and large organisations, all along the supply chain, no matter how many companies are involved, no matter what enabling technologies (barcodes, RFID, EDI, Internet...) are chosen. Have a look at our Global Traceability Standard webpage for more info

The GS1 Global Traceability Programme: helping companies implement Traceability

Companies that manufacture consumer products invest considerable resources to establish the value of their brands and meet the demands of their partners, their customers and local regulators. GS1 has developed the Global Traceability Programme (GS1 GTC) to support their efforts. The GTC Programme aims at helping companies implementing traceability according to traceability best practices and GS1 global standards. Companies can verify the quality and integrity of their existing traceability processes using the GS1 Traceability Checklist. Have a look at our Global Traceability Programme webpage for more info

Get involved join our Traceability working group, Traceability and Event Sharing Standard Maintenance Group (SMG)

This is a platform for all traceability stakeholders to work collaboratively with no limit in terms of participation, to update and maintain the Global Traceability Standard (GTS) , develop sectors best practices guidelines for implementation based on GS1 Standards….and much more

How to Join Traceability BRG?

If you are already a GS1 Community Room member:

If you are NOT a GS1 Community Room member: 

  • Once you receive your username and password, follow the directions above to join this BRG. 

Contact our BRG expert: 

Your contact: John Ryu, john.ryu@gs1.org