Product traceability has become a key operational requirement in the global supply chain ecosystem, where transparency, safety, and efficiency are essential. To meet these demands, many businesses now rely on GS1 standards to ensure end-to-end visibility and accuracy.pharmaceuticals to consumer electronics, GS1 standards make it possible to achieve reliable product traceability at every stage of the logistics process, supporting full supply chain transparency.

One of the most trusted and universally adopted systems for achieving this is GS1 — a global barcoding and data exchange standard that powers end-to-end traceability across supply chains.

In this article, we’ll explore how GS1 standard enable complete product visibility from production to delivery, and how PostalParcel integrates these standards into its logistics solutions.

What Is GS1?

GS1 is a non-profit organization that develops and maintains global standards for business communication, most notably the GS1 barcode and Global Trade Item Number (GTIN). These identifiers are used to uniquely track products, shipments, and locations across different stakeholders in the supply chain.

With over 2 million companies using GS1 standard in over 100 countries, it’s the backbone of modern traceability systems.

Why Traceability Matters More Than Ever

Today’s consumers and regulators demand more information about products than ever before:

• Where was this product made?
• Is it authentic and safe to consume?
• What’s its expiration date and batch number?
• Was it stored and transported properly?

Traceability helps answer these questions and supports:

• Product recalls
• Regulatory compliance (e.g., FDA, EU FMD)
• Inventory accuracy
• Consumer trust
• Anti-counterfeiting measures

How GS1 Enables End-to-End Traceability

GS1 standard ensure that every item in your supply chain can be uniquely identified, captured, and shared across systems in a structured, reliable way. Here’s how it works:

1. Identification with GTINs and Serial Numbers

Optionally, each product receives a Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) and a serial number or batch/lot number. This allows businesses to track not just product categories, but individual units.

2. Data Capture with Barcodes and RFID

GS1-standard barcodes (like GS1-128 or DataMatrix) encode essential information such as:

• Product ID
• Expiry date
• Batch number
• Serial number

PostalParcel supports both 1D and 2D barcode scanning and printing for seamless compliance.

3. Data Sharing with EPCIS

Using EPCIS (Electronic Product Code Information Services), supply chain partners can share real-time updates about a product’s location, status, and condition. This enables:

• Real-time visibility
• Event-based tracking
• Chain-of-custody audits

GS1 in Action: PostalParcel’s Traceability Framework

At PostalParcel, we’ve integrated GS1-compliant tools into our logistics platform to offer:

• Real-time product scanning and tracking
• Barcode label generation (GS1-128, QR, DataMatrix)
• Serialization support for regulated industries
• End-to-end event logging using EPCIS
• APIs to integrate traceability with ERP, CRM, and warehouse systems

Whether you’re shipping pharmaceuticals, luxury goods, or perishable items, our system ensures full traceability from origin to destination.

Benefits of GS1-Enabled Traceability

• ✅ Faster Recalls: Instantly locate affected batches or items
• ✅ Improved Accuracy: Eliminate manual errors in product identification
• ✅ Enhanced Consumer Confidence: Provide verifiable product histories
• ✅ Global Interoperability: Work seamlessly across supply chain partners
• ✅ Regulatory Readiness: Meet FDA, EU, and other global compliance needs

Who Should Use GS1 Standards?

GS1 standards are essential for:

• Manufacturers managing production and packaging
• 3PLs and logistics providers like PostalParcel
• Retailers and marketplaces handling extensive inventories
• Healthcare and food industries with strict compliance needs

If your business needs complete product visibility, it’s time to adopt a GS1-compliant traceability system.

Future-Proof Your Supply Chain with PostalParcel

As regulatory environments tighten and consumers demand transparency, traceability is no longer optional — a competitive necessity.

PostalParcel empowers you with GS1-enabled infrastructure, ensuring your shipments are fast and fully traceable, secure, and compliant.

📦 Get in touch with us today at https://www.postalparcel.com to learn more about our GS1 solutions or request a demo.