A barcode is a graphic representation of data (product reference, batch, logistics unit) read optically by a scanner. GS1 is the international organization that defines the global coding standards (EAN/GTIN, SSCC, symbologies such as Code 128 or DataMatrix) so that every identifier stays unique and readable by every player in the supply chain.
Barcode formats and GS1's role
Barcodes fall into two main families. 1D (one-dimensional) codes, such as the EAN-13 used on consumer goods or Code 128 / GS1-128 used on logistics labels (cartons, pallets), encode information as vertical bars of varying widths, read by a laser scanner. 2D codes, such as DataMatrix or the QR code, store more data in a smaller space (batch number, expiry date, serial number) and are read with a camera rather than a laser; they're gaining ground on small labels or when several pieces of information need to fit in a limited space.
The GS1 standard doesn't just define the barcode's appearance: it structures the data itself. GS1 is the body that assigns companies their international prefix, guaranteeing that a product's GTIN or a pallet's SSCC will never be used by two different entities anywhere in the world. This standardization is what lets a supplier, a carrier and a retailer understand each other automatically through data exchange (EDI, DESADV) without manual re-entry, and makes it possible to track an item from production all the way to the point of sale.
In warehouses, the GS1 barcode remains the most widespread identification technology for picking, receiving and shipping, due to its very low cost per label. It coexists with RFID on higher-value-added flows, which requires less individual handling of the parcel.
FAQ
What is the GS1 standard?
GS1 is the international organization that defines and assigns the unique identifiers used in logistics and retail (GTIN, SSCC, company prefixes), as well as the associated barcode symbologies. It guarantees that a given code never designates two different products or two different logistics units anywhere in the world.
What's the difference between a 1D barcode and a 2D code?
A 1D code (EAN-13, Code 128) encodes information as vertical bars read by a laser and holds little data. A 2D code (DataMatrix, QR code) stores more information in a smaller space and is read by a camera, which makes it useful for small or data-rich labels.
Does the barcode replace RFID?
No, the two technologies coexist. The barcode costs less per unit but requires a one-by-one, line-of-sight read, whereas RFID allows a remote, simultaneous read of several items, reserved for flows where this extra per-label cost is economically justified.
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