Allocation of GS1 numbers

A GS1 Company Prefix gives access to all the applications using GS1 System identification standards. A GS1 Company Prefix assigned to a member of GS1 Switzerland entitles that member to create any of the GS1 Identification Keys.

Responsibility for the allocation GS1 Identification Keys (e.g. GTINs)

The brand owner, the organisation that owns the specifications of the trade item regardless of where and by whom it is manufactured, is normally responsible for the allocation of the Global Trade Item Number (GTIN).

The brand owner is the organisation that owns the trade item specifications and may be:

• The manufacturer or supplier: The company that manufactures the trade item or has it manufactured, in any country, and sells it under its own brand name
• The importer or wholesaler: The importer or wholesaler that has the trade item manufactured, in any country and sells it under its own brand name or the importer or wholesaler that changes the trade item (for example by modifying the packaging of the trade item)
• The retailer: The retailer that has the trade item manufactured, in any country, and sells it under its own brand

Detailed information on the allocation and re-allocation rules for all GS1 Identification Keys can be found in the GS1 General Specifications. Also have a look at the GTIN Allocation Rules and the GLN Allocation Rules. Both websites are available in several languages.

GS1 data carriers

The GS1 Identification Keys can be put into the different GS1 data carriers (linear or 2D barcodes, or RFID-tags). Depending on the business process and the user needs, a different type of GS1 data carrier will be used.