By: Shane Morris, Sr. Director, Business Development, GS1 US
With a number of regulations affecting e-commerce selling today, efficient supply chain management is fundamental for success. One powerful tool that can enhance your supply chain operations is the GS1 Company Prefix. This unique identifier, now available to our customers directly from Comply Pro+ through the GS1 US Channel Partner Program, offers a range of benefits that go beyond creating UPC barcodes for your products.
What is a GS1 Company Prefix?
A GS1 Company Prefix is a unique number that identifies a company as the owner of their brand. This prefix serves as a building block for creating various identification numbers needed throughout the supply chain. By licensing a GS1 Company Prefix, you can ensure that your numbers are registered only to your company, meet the requirements of many top retailers, and can be shared across trading partners.
The Power of the Prefix
With a GS1 Company Prefix, you hold the power to create several key identifiers that streamline your supply chain:
- Global Trade Item Number® (GTIN®)-12: These numbers identify your products and are embedded in UPC barcodes, allowing retailers and marketplaces to catalog billions of items for sale. GTINs also offer SEO benefits, helping your products get noticed online. Single GTINs, in addition to Prefixes, are available through the GS1 US Channel Partner program.
- GTIN-14: These numbers identify cases of your products, making them machine-readable when used with ITF-14 or GS1-128 barcodes. For example, a GTIN-12 would identify a single cup of yogurt, while a GTIN-14 identifies a case of yogurt.
- Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC): This serialized identifier is assigned to logistics units, such as pallets. SSCCs help recipients understand what is being shipped their way, especially when used with electronic communications like Advance Ship Notices (ASN).
- Global Location Numbers (GLNs): These numbers identify company locations, such as stores or distribution centers, and help track and trace products throughout the supply chain.
Supporting Growth and Regulatory Compliance
A GS1 Company Prefix not only helps you create identifiers but also supports your business growth and regulatory needs. By using globally recognized GS1 identification numbers, you can ensure the right product is delivered to the right place at the right time, trace products to meet regulatory requirements, and support consumer safety.
Enhancing Supply Chain Transparency
With increasing consumer demand for supply chain transparency, the GS1 Company Prefix helps companies construct identification numbers to track and trace products around the world. This traceability is particularly important in industries regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), such as food and healthcare, as well as for industries subject to Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) requirements.
Licensing a GS1 Company Prefix from GS1 US is an asset for any business looking to enhance its supply chain operations. From creating UPC barcodes to powering your entire supply chain, the GS1 Company Prefix offers a range of benefits that can help you grow and succeed in today’s competitive market. For more information, please visit GS1 US and explore the benefits of unique identification.
You can now add GTIN or GLN numbers right from Comply PRO+, so when you are developing products or adding suppliers, you can go to the GS1 site to purchase one or go to your account to manage your existing account!.