GS1 standards and Gravotech solutions for optimizing industrial traceability
Discover how to ensure reliable product identification from code creation to final marking
In a demanding industrial environment, traceability is a key driver of quality, safety, and regulatory compliance. To meet the challenges of data harmonization and facilitate data exchange, GS1 standard provides a structured and universal solution. Gravotech offers DPM (Direct Part Marking) solutions that comply with the requirements of this standard, helping manufacturers achieve optimized, interoperable traceability.
Let's examine the GS1 standard, its benefits, and how Gravotech machines meet these requirements.
What is the GS1 standard?
The GS1 standard (or Global Standard 1) transforms the way data is integrated into codes (Datamatrix, barcodes, or QR codes). It is no longer just a matter of storing information but structuring it so that it can be understood by any reader, anywhere in the world. In practical terms, this standardization unifies the language to identify products worldwide, thereby facilitating the interoperability of supply chains.
How GS1 works?
The universal language of traceability
Data encoding without the GS1 standard is characterized by a lack of structure, with each entity applying its own formats. This approach generates codes that are technically readable but not semantically meaningful, such as "2025MARAAB84583465," which has no universal meaning.
The GS1 standard addresses this issue by integrating Application Identifiers (AI). These numerical prefixes give meaning to the data. For example, the prefix (01) designates a GTIN (Global Trade Item Number), (21) a serial number, and (17) an expiration date. This structured coding ensures fast reading and reliable decoding for all companies that have implemented GS1.
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Which markets are impacted by GS1?
GS1 across industries
Adoption and evolution of the GS1 standard
Although the GS1 standard was first adopted in the medical field, where traceability is critical, it has since spread widely to other industrial sectors, particularly in Europe. Today, it has been deployed in the automotive, rail, agri-food, construction, luxury, and retail industries.
In France, for example, the SNCF (French national railway company) has launched a standardization initiative to optimize the maintenance and traceability of all parts provided by its suppliers. Other companies such as L'Oréal and Decathlon are already using GS1 to ensure better traceability of their products.
The standard is also evolving: the GS1 organization (which developed the GS1 standard) now offers "GS1 Digital Link", an enhanced version of the QR code that allows customized information to be displayed based on various parameters, such as the type of device used to scan it, the location at the time of scanning, or even the time of day.
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Use cases for GS1
Applications in key industries, from recalls to maintenance
- Agri-food: GS1 enables rigorous batch tracking, which is essential in the event of product recalls.
- Medical: it guarantees the traceability of devices, from safety to compliance.
- Industry and large companies: it also facilitates the management of spare parts, which is key in sectors where knowing the exact origin of each component is essential.
- Cosmetics: GS1 labeling ensures product regulatory compliance.
- Preventive maintenance: it improves operational efficiency by facilitating maintenance.
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What challenges does GS1 address in industrial environments?
By adopting the GS1 standard, companies are taking a step towards a more connected and efficient industry. With good reason: it promotes better communication between supply chain players, standardized data reading, and therefore smoother operations.
Beyond that, GS1 serves as a bulwark against counterfeiting and as a vehicle for securing transactions. By enhancing interoperability, it becomes a strategic tool for manufacturers, who can:
- Reduce errors and costs associated with data misreading.
- Optimize logistics and inventory.
- Track products throughout their lifecycle.
- Ensure compliance with current standards.
Focus on the obstacles to overcome in adopting GS1 Implementing the GS1 standard can raise certain constraints, such as adapting information systems, training teams, or managing more data-dense codes. In addition, some proofreading tools are not yet capable of automatically decoding GS1 data, which may require investment in compatible equipment. |
Gravotech solutions for GS1-compliant product identification
Reliable GS1-compliant marking machines
Designed to meet GS1 standard requirements, Gravotech machines provide reliable, high-quality marking, ensuring accurate, deep, and durable results on a wide variety of materials and in diverse environments. Whether for laser, mechanical, dot peen, or scribe marking, each technology offers perfect legibility, even in the most challenging conditions.
Built for seamless integration into production lines, Gravotech solutions meet the most stringent GS1 traceability and compliance requirements, ensuring permanent marking that resists wear, tear, mechanical and chemical attacks.
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Smart software to simplify GS1 integration
Gravotech software (Gravostyle, Lasertrace, or T08) simplifies the implementation of the GS1 standard. They automatically encode data according to current rules, managing Application Identifiers and non-printable characters (including separators), even from raw data. The result? Perfectly formatted codes that are immediately readable and usable by industrial readers and GS1-compatible mobile applications.
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The GS1 standard is a technical standard that offers a lever for optimizing your industrial processes. By ensuring reliable traceability, better communication, and enhanced compliance, it meets the expectations of many markets.
At Gravotech, we use our marking expertise to meet this requirement. Our permanent marking machines and software support you in the smooth adoption of GS1, tailored to your needs.
Want to find out more? Our experts are here to guide you every step of the way.
