GS1 New Zealand unlocks a world of opportunity for Kiwi business

What we do

We provide NZ businesses with global data standards and solutions for efficiently identifying, capturing and sharing vital product and location information. 

Globally standardised unique identifiers are at the heart of what we do – for products and locations.  These fuel our data sharing systems and traceability tools.

50 years ago, we started out with the humble bar code in grocery and now we work across many other industry sectors like government, healthcare, hardware, logistics and transport.  

An example is our Global Location Numbers that are used in the Covid-19 posters we’re all currently scanning every day.  And, within supply chains, our barcodes and location numbers provide product visibility and traceability every step of the way and, accurate inventory information.  For the end consumer this means they have visibility of a product’s availability at any point in time and also where it comes from. 

We enable industry to scale sustainably, safely, and securely – here in New Zealand and globally.

We’re a not for profit - existing for the success of our members and New Zealand.

Learn more about our standards.

GS1 – networked globally

We’re part of a global family of organisations that believe in the power of standards to transform the way we work and live.

Unique identification is the key link between the physical and digital.  It enables the connection between organisations – their products and locations. 

We collaborate with industry and provide GS1’s global standards and solutions including unique identifiers, traceability tools and data sharing systems.

Back in 1971 a group of US based competing supermarkets and other business leaders agreed on the first standards for the humble barcode, now embedded in the global economy.  NZ was one of the earliest adopters of scanning globally.

GS1 New Zealand history

Since forming in the 1970s, the organisation that is now GS1 New Zealand has been helping businesses to refine and streamline their supply chains.

GS1 New Zealand has achieved many notable milestones throughout history, including:

Year

Event/Milestone

1974 First live barcode scan in the world - Wrigley's Juicy Fruit chewing gum
1979 Grocery leaders form New Zealand Product Numbering Council, later becomes GS1 New Zealand
1981 New Zealand becomes 16th country member of what is now called GS1
1983 New Zealand's first "live" barcode scanning at a Napier's Taradale New World
1984 The ITF-14 barcode for use on outer packaging of products is launched
1986 GS1 New Zealand membership reaches 1,000 companies
1989 GS1-128 barcode for identifying pallets and cartons introduced
1993 85% of all groceries sold in New Zealand are scanned at point of sale
1994 New Zealand's first barcode testing service launched
2001 Major New Zealand supermarket companies adopt mandatory barcode verification for products
2005 EAN and UCC merge to form GS1
2005 EPC/RFID launched
2009 New Zealand CEO appointed to GS1 Global Advisory Council
2010 Scanning in 150 countries - 5 billion "beeps" globally every day
2012 Product Recall launched
2013 NZBN partnership with GS1 New Zealand
2014 DHB National Catalogue launched based on GS1 standards
2015 GS1 New Zealand supports over 5,000 members
2019 GS1 New Zealand celebrates 40 year anniversary
2019 GS1 New Zealand launches redesigned website
2019 GS1 Auckland office relocates to Freemans Bay, Auckland
2020 COVID-19 tracing with GS1 identifiers
2020 Digital passport for every consumer product - idea introduced in New Zealand
2020 Transport data standardisation supports global trade
2021 The barcode turns 50!
2021 Grocery sector agrees to adopt Serial Shipping Container Codes as the preferred logistic label

 

Talk with GS1 today

GS1 New Zealand's professional and friendly team are here to work with you and support you in streamlining your business operations. Talk with GS1 today, please email [email protected] or phone 0800 10 23 56.