GS1 Identification Keys
GS1 ID Keys give companies efficient ways to access information about items in their supply chains, and share this information with trading partners.
ID Keys enable organisations to assign standard identifiers to products, documents, physical locations and more.
Because GS1 ID keys are globally unique, they can be shared between organisations, increasing supply chain visibility for trading partners.
To build a GS1 ID key, your organisation must become a member of GS1 and obtain a GS1 company prefix. This will form the basis of your ID keys.
There are 11 GS1 ID keys, allowing organisations to connect physical events and related information, as in the table below.
| ID Key | Used to Identify | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) | Products and services | Can of soup, chocolate bar, music album |
| Global Location Number (GLN) | Parties and locations | Companies, warehouses, factories, stores |
| Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC) | Logistics units | Unit loads on pallets, roll cages, parcels |
| Global Returnable Asset Identifier (GRAI) | Returnable assets | Pallet cases, crates, totes |
| Global Individual Asset Identifier (GIAI) | Assets | Medical, manufacturing, transport and IT equipment |
| Global Service Relation Number (GSRN) | Service provider and recipient relationships | Loyalty scheme members, doctors at a hospital, library members |
|
Global Document Type Identifier (GDTI) |
Documents | Tax demands, shipment forms, driving licences |
|
Global Identification Number for Consignment (GINC) |
Consignments | Logistics units transported together in an ocean container |
|
Global Shipment Identification Number (GSIN) |
Shipments | Logistics units delivered to a customer together |
|
Global Coupon Number (GCN) |
Coupons
|
Digital coupons |
|
Component/Part Identifier (CPID) |
Components and parts | Automobile parts |