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# GS1

> A global not for profit standards organisation that issues unique identification keys and defines barcode, data capture and data exchange standards used across supply chains.

## Definition

A global, neutral, not for profit standards organisation that maintains a system of unique
identification keys, barcode symbologies and data exchange standards. Its best known key is the
Global Trade Item Number, encoded in the retail barcode.

## Expanded Explanation

GS1 keys are allocated through national member organisations, and their global uniqueness comes from
the company prefix issued to each licence holder. The system includes keys beyond trade items: the
Global Location Number for parties and places, the Serial Shipping Container Code for logistics
units, and serialised trade item numbers for individual items.

Alongside keys, GS1 defines how they are encoded in carriers such as the linear barcode, the
DataMatrix and the QR code, and how supply chain events are described through the Electronic Product
Code Information Services event model. For passport work the relevant pieces are the identification
keys, the GS1 Digital Link syntax that expresses those keys as web addresses, and the resolver
behaviour that turns a scan into the correct destination for the audience.

GS1 is a standards body, not a regulator. Using GS1 standards does not by itself create compliance
with any regulation, and no European Union legislation currently mandates a single issuing agency
for passports.

## Why It Matters

Passports are read by parties outside the issuing company, including retailers, recyclers and
authorities. Identifiers issued from a globally recognised scheme are interpretable by those parties
without bilateral agreements, which is the practical argument for using an established issuing
agency rather than a private numbering scheme.

## Common Misconceptions

#### A GS1 barcode is a passport

A barcode is a carrier for an identifier. It becomes part of a passport implementation only when
the identifier resolves to compliant, access controlled passport data.

## Related Terms

* [GS1 Digital Link](/docs/knowledge-base/glossary/gs1-digital-link)
* [Product Identifier](/docs/knowledge-base/glossary/product-identifier)
* [Data Carrier](/docs/knowledge-base/glossary/data-carrier)
* [QR Code](/docs/knowledge-base/glossary/qr-code)

## Related Knowledge Base Articles

* [What Is a Digital Product Passport?](/docs/knowledge-base/digital-product-passports/what-is-a-digital-product-passport)
* [Who Needs a Digital Product Passport?](/docs/knowledge-base/digital-product-passports/who-needs-a-digital-product-passport)

## Related Articles

* [GTIN](/docs/knowledge-base/glossary/gtin)
* [GS1 Digital Link](/docs/knowledge-base/glossary/gs1-digital-link)
* [Resolver](/docs/knowledge-base/glossary/resolver)
* [EPCIS](/docs/knowledge-base/glossary/epcis)
* [Product Identifier](/docs/knowledge-base/glossary/product-identifier)
* [Data Carrier](/docs/knowledge-base/glossary/data-carrier)
* [Harmonised Technical Specification](/docs/knowledge-base/glossary/harmonised-technical-specification)
* [QR Code](/docs/knowledge-base/glossary/qr-code)

## See Also

* [Standards & Technology](/docs/knowledge-base/standards-and-technology/overview)
* [Implementation](/docs/knowledge-base/implementation/overview)

## References

* GS1 General Specifications: [https://www.gs1.org/standards/barcodes-epcrfid-id-keys/gs1-general-specifications](https://www.gs1.org/standards/barcodes-epcrfid-id-keys/gs1-general-specifications)
* GS1 identification keys: [https://www.gs1.org/standards/id-keys](https://www.gs1.org/standards/id-keys)
* ISO/IEC 15459, unique identification: [https://www.iso.org/standard/54779.html](https://www.iso.org/standard/54779.html)

## About This Article

About This Article

<dl>
  <dt>
    Last Reviewed
  </dt>

  <dd>
    2026-08-07
  </dd>

  <dt>
    Next Scheduled Review
  </dt>

  <dd>
    2027-08-07
  </dd>

  <dt>
    Article Version
  </dt>

  <dd>
    1.0
  </dd>
</dl>

tieback Knowledge is a continuously maintained reference library covering Digital Product
Passports, product traceability, product compliance and related regulations. Articles are
reviewed regularly as legislation, standards and implementation guidance evolve.

## Related Docs

* [Standards & Technology](/docs/knowledge-base/standards-and-technology/overview)
* [Implementation](/docs/knowledge-base/implementation/overview)
* [Digital Product Passports](/docs/knowledge-base/digital-product-passports/overview)
* [Glossary](/docs/knowledge-base/glossary/overview)