GS1 celebrates 50 years of digitalisation in commerce and calls for collaboration towards next-generation barcodes

The GTIN – the number behind the barcode – was developed 50 years ago and transformed the global economy

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 31 March 2021 – 50 years ago, on 31 March 1971, leaders from the
biggest names in commerce came together and transformed the global economy
forever by developing the Global Trade Item Number (known as the “GTIN”). This
numerical code uniquely identifies every single product and is the core of the
barcode, the most important supply chain standard in history. Today, the
barcode is scanned over six billion times every day and remains one of the most
trusted symbols in the world.

 

“This is one of the great, untold stories
in the history of the modern economy. Half a century ago, fierce competitors
came together, put aside their differences and remade global commerce for the
better with the development of the GTIN, which in turn led directly to the
creation of the barcode. As we celebrate this remarkable milestone, we call on
businesses to collaborate once again to meet the needs of the 21st century
economy by rapidly deploying and implementing new technologies, including
data-rich, next-generation barcodes,” said Kathy Wengel, Chair of GS1
Management Board and Executive Vice President & Chief Global Supply Chain
Officer of Johnson & Johnson.

 

The 1971 historic meeting took place in
New York City and included leaders from the biggest names in groceries, retail
and consumer goods at the time, including Heinz, General Mills, Kroger and
Bristol Myers Company. The executives agreed to create a system to uniquely
identify every single product, calling it the Global Trade Item Number, or
GTIN. With great foresight, they believed that the GTIN could have a positive
impact even beyond the grocery store – from warehouses to board rooms – and
would boost speed and efficiency of transactions and processes that could
transform everything from supply chains to consumer experiences. And they
agreed at the meeting to continue to innovate together to create a system that
would benefit businesses and consumers alike. Decades later, the BBC named the
resulting outcome one of “the 50 things that made the world economy.”

 

“32 years ago, industry leaders in Hong
Kong joined forces to introduce GS1 global barcode standard to the local retail
industry, and in the process, revolutionised the retail check-out and supply
chain. Today, barcode not only bridges the physical and digital worlds, but
also supports companies’ digitalisation to enhance supply chain transparency
and efficiency, ensure product authenticity, and facilitate online and offline
commerce,” said Anna Lin, Chief Executive of GS1 Hong Kong.

 

GS1 standards continue to help make the
vast complexity of modern, global business flow quickly, efficiently and
securely, simplifying all kinds of supply chain processes in almost every
sector all around the world. However, as consumers demand more and better
product information, it is time to bring barcodes to the next level.

 

Developments towards next generation
barcodes (such as QR codes), which can hold vastly more information, should be
used to empower consumers with trusted information and reshape global commerce
for a new century. Their use, for example, can tell consumers if a product
contains allergens, if it is organic, and information on its carbon footprint.
Ultimately, this provides consumers with a greater level of trust and loyalty
relating to the products they buy.

 

“Our ultimate objective is to ensure
transparency, satisfaction, safety and trust to our customers, our partners and
our employees,” said Özgur Tort, CEO of Migros Ticaret a.ş. and Co-Chair of
Consumer Goods Forum. “Like our predecessors half a century ago, we as business
leaders must come together now, to develop standards that deliver even more
useful and accurate product information.”

 

“We are proud to celebrate 50 years of
collaboration, innovation and leadership, but we do so not to look back, but to
look forward,” said Anna. “GS1 Hong Kong will continue to work closely with our
partners to innovate and pave the way to the widespread use of the next-gen
barcode, unlocking the infinite possibilities that it entails.”