This is the persistent repository for all GS1 guidelines. As new guidelines are ratified, they will be published in this reference archive and linked from the primary website at www.gs1.org. The current versions are listed below with links to further information about each one, including the guideline's archive. Over time, we aim to add previous versions of our guidelines to the relevant archive to create a complete set of all versions.
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2D Barcodes at Retail Point-of-Sale Implementation Guideline
Implementation guidance for industry to enable a smooth transition from linear barcodes.
- Current guideline
- https://ref.gs1.org/guidelines/2d-in-retail/
- Current version
- 1.1.0
- Last modified
- 22 December 2025
- Archive
- https://ref.gs1.org/guidelines/2d-in-retail/archive
- Primary landing page
- 2D in Retail: Next generation barcodes. One scan. Infinite possibilities.
Barcode Verification Process Implementation Guidelines
These implementation guidelines provide instructions for creating a consistent verification service for testing barcode quality as well as the integrity of the encoded data.
- Current guideline
- https://ref.gs1.org/guidelines/barcode-verification/
- Current version
- 1.0.0
- Last modified
- July 2015
- Archive
- https://ref.gs1.org/guidelines/barcode-verification/archive
- Primary landing page
- GS1
Consumer Product Variant in GDSN Implementation Guideline
Consumer Product Variant (CPV) identifies product variations that are considered insignificant to supply chain business processes, and therefore normally use the same Global Trade Item Number (GTIN), but that may be important to consumers.
- Current guideline
- https://ref.gs1.org/guidelines/cpv/
- Current version
- 1.1.0
- Last modified
- 23 November 2024
- Archive
- https://ref.gs1.org/guidelines/cpv/archive
- Primary landing page
- GDSN
Encoding Transport Process Information GS1 Implementation Guideline
Rules for encoding transport data to enable transport processes (Scan4Transport)
- Current guideline
- https://ref.gs1.org/guidelines/scan-4-transport/
- Current version
- 1.1.0
- Last modified
- December 2021
- Archive
- https://ref.gs1.org/guidelines/scan-4-transport/archive
- Primary landing page
- GS1 Transport & Logistics
EPCIS and CBV Implementation Guideline
Using EPCIS & CBV to increase supply chain visibility
- Current guideline
- https://ref.gs1.org/guidelines/epcis-cbv/
- Current version
- 2.0.0
- Last modified
- March 2023
- Archive
- https://ref.gs1.org/guidelines/epcis-cbv/archive
- Primary landing page
- EPCIS & CBV
Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Traceability Guideline
Implementing traceability in fresh fruit & vegetable supply chains using the GS1 standards for identification, data capture, data sharing & the GS1 Global Traceability Standard.
- Current guideline
- https://ref.gs1.org/guidelines/fruit-veg/
- Current version
- 2.0.0
- Last modified
- February 2021
- Archive
- https://ref.gs1.org/guidelines/fruit-veg/archive
- Primary landing page
- GS1 Traceability
GDSN Trade Item Implementation Guideline
Supplements the formal GS1 Global Data Synchronisation Network (GDSN) standards with advice on their implementation and operation
- Current guideline
- https://ref.gs1.org/guidelines/tiig/
- Current version
- 37.0.0
- Last modified
- March 2024
- Archive
- https://ref.gs1.org/guidelines/tiig/archive
- Primary landing page
- GS1 GDSN
GS1 AIDC Fresh Foods Sold at Point-of-Sale Implementation Guideline
A guide to implement GTIN, GS1 Application Identifiers, and GS1 barcodes for fresh food trade items sold at POS.
- Current guideline
- https://ref.gs1.org/guidelines/fresh-foods/
- Current version
- 1.2.0
- Last modified
- October 2020
- Archive
- https://ref.gs1.org/guidelines/fresh-foods/archive
- Primary landing page
- GS1
GS1 DataMatrix Guideline
Overview and technical introduction to the use of GS1 DataMatrix
- Current guideline
- https://ref.gs1.org/guidelines/datamatrix/
- Current version
- 2.5.1
- Last modified
- January 2018
- Archive
- https://ref.gs1.org/guidelines/datamatrix/archive
- Primary landing page
- Two-dimensional (2D) barcodes
GS1 Digital Signatures Technical Implementation Guideline
Using digital signatures to support brand protection and product authenticity
- Current guideline
- https://ref.gs1.org/guidelines/digital-signatures/
- Current version
- 1.1.0
- Last modified
- 2 February 2026
- Archive
- https://ref.gs1.org/guidelines/digital-signatures/archive
- Primary landing page
- GS1 home
GS1 Distribution and Shipping of Biologicals Guideline
Describe how SSCC identification and GS1 XML Despatch Advice Messages can be used to carry ISBT 128 identifiers and codes
- Current guideline
- https://ref.gs1.org/guidelines/shipping-biologicals/
- Current version
- 1.0.0
- Last modified
- February 2021
- Archive
- https://ref.gs1.org/guidelines/shipping-biologicals/archive
- Primary landing page
- GS1 Healthcare
GS1 EDI Healthcare Guidelines
This 2-part guideline outlines a model for harmonised and streamlined business processes for EDI to be used by the participants in the healthcare supply chain.
- Current guideline
- https://ref.gs1.org/guidelines/edi-healthcare/
- Current version
- 1.0.0
- Last modified
- September 2017
- Archive
- https://ref.gs1.org/guidelines/edi-healthcare/archive
- Primary landing page
- GS1 EDI
GS1 Foundation for Fish, Seafood and Aquaculture Traceability Guideline
Implementing traceability in fish, seafood and aquaculture supply chains using the GS1 standards for identification, data capture and data sharing.
- Current guideline
- https://ref.gs1.org/guidelines/fish-seafood-traceability/
- Current version
- 1.3.0
- Last modified
- February 2019
- Archive
- https://ref.gs1.org/guidelines/fish-seafood-traceability/archive
- Primary landing page
- GS1 Traceability
GS1 Global Data Model Attribute Implementation Guideline
The purpose of the GS1 Global Data Model (GDM) is to simplify and harmonise the exchange of master data. The GDM identifes and defines — in a globally consistent way — the set of foundational attributes needed to manage a product throughout its life cycle.
- Current guideline
- https://ref.gs1.org/guidelines/gdm-implementation/
- Current version
- 1.16.0
- Last modified
- 27 May 2026
- Archive
- https://ref.gs1.org/guidelines/gdm-implementation/archive
- Primary landing page
- GS1 Global Data Model
GS1 Global Data Model Market Stages Guideline
Complete product data only becomes available at various times in the lifecycle of a product. This guideline address this challenge in the context of the Global Data Model Standard
- Current guideline
- https://ref.gs1.org/guidelines/gdm-market-stages/
- Current version
- 1.0.0
- Last modified
- 20 June 2023
- Archive
- https://ref.gs1.org/guidelines/gdm-market-stages/archive
- Primary landing page
- GS1 Global Data Model
GS1 Global Meat and Poultry Traceability Guidelines
A set of documents that describe the Business Process and System Requirements for Full Chain Traceability in the meat & poultry sector.
- Current guideline
- https://ref.gs1.org/guidelines/meat-poultry-traceability/
- Current version
- 1.0.0
- Last modified
- November 2015
- Archive
- https://ref.gs1.org/guidelines/meat-poultry-traceability/archive
- Primary landing page
- GS1 Traceability
GS1 Human Readable Interpretation (HRI) Implementation Guideline
Guideline to how to apply Human Readable Interpretation (HRI) on GS1 barcodes
- Current guideline
- https://ref.gs1.org/guidelines/human-readable-interpretation/
- Current version
- 1.3.0
- Last modified
- 25 June 2026
- Archive
- https://ref.gs1.org/guidelines/human-readable-interpretation/archive
- Primary landing page
- GS1 Barcodes
GS1 Logistic Label Guideline
Provides an overview of the normative rules and best practice recommendations based on GS1 Logistic Label implementations around the world.
- Current guideline
- https://ref.gs1.org/guidelines/logistic-label/
- Current version
- 1.3.0
- Last modified
- July 2019
- Archive
- https://ref.gs1.org/guidelines/logistic-label/archive
- Primary landing page
- GS1
GS1 Mobile Ready Hero Images Guideline
Guidance for optimised presentation of product imagery on small screens
- Current guideline
- https://ref.gs1.org/guidelines/mrhi/
- Current version
- 2.1.1
- Last modified
- January 2024
- Archive
- https://ref.gs1.org/guidelines/mrhi/archive
- Primary landing page
- Product Image standards and guidelines
GS1 Pharmaceutical Clinical Trial Electronic Messaging Standard Implementation Guideline
A guideline that details the best practice approach to implementation of GS1 standards for electronic messaging in the pharmaceutical clinical trial supply chain.
- Current guideline
- https://ref.gs1.org/guidelines/pharma-clinical-trial/
- Current version
- 1.2.0
- Last modified
- June 2023
- Archive
- https://ref.gs1.org/guidelines/pharma-clinical-trial/archive
- Primary landing page
- GS1
GS1 Pharmaceutical Image Implementation Guideline
A method of image naming; associated data, and transport methods needed to increase efficiencies and minimise costs.
- Current guideline
- https://ref.gs1.org/guidelines/pharma-image/
- Current version
- 1.0.0
- Last modified
- June 2017
- Archive
- https://ref.gs1.org/guidelines/pharma-image/archive
- Primary landing page
- GS1
GS1 RFID Identification of Pulp Products Guideline
Guidelines for the use of RFID tags for identification of pulp products in the Pulp and Paper sector.
- Current guideline
- https://ref.gs1.org/guidelines/pulp-products/
- Current version
- 1.0.0
- Last modified
- June 2020
- Archive
- https://ref.gs1.org/guidelines/pulp-products/archive
- Primary landing page
- GS1
GS1 SmartSearch Implementation Guideline
Guidance on how to create web pages that refer to trade items (formerly GTIN+ on the Web)
- Current guideline
- https://ref.gs1.org/guidelines/smart-search/
- Current version
- 1.0.1
- Last modified
- November 2015
- Archive
- https://ref.gs1.org/guidelines/smart-search/archive
- Primary landing page
- GS1 Web Vocabulary
GTIN Management Guideline for Construction Products
The Global Trade Item Number Management Guideline for Construction Products provides construction-specific examples of the GTIN Management Standard.
- Current guideline
- https://ref.gs1.org/guidelines/gtin-management-for-construction/
- Current version
- 1.0.0
- Last modified
- January 2023
- Archive
- https://ref.gs1.org/guidelines/gtin-management-for-construction/archive
- Primary landing page
- GTIN Management
Tagged-Item Performance Protocol (TIPP)
provides a standard means to express performance requirements and a standard test protocol to verify the performance of a tagged item that can be referenced by all in the supply chain and verified independently by retailers, suppliers or third parties.
- Current guideline
- https://ref.gs1.org/guidelines/tipp/
- Current version
- 1.2.0
- Last modified
- May 2024
- Archive
- https://ref.gs1.org/guidelines/tipp/archive
- Primary landing page
- Tagged-Item Performance Protocol (TIPP) Guideline