Over 50 years ago, GS1 created the world’s first barcode & launched a digital revolution that changed the way the world does business forever. With the scan of a barcode or the input of a GTIN number, products are identified and with an online system, data is able to be shared.
In 1982 GS1 opened GS1 South Africa, which was initially known as the South African Numbering Association (SANA), a representation of the European Article Numbering Association or (EAN) . Following this, the then Uniform Code Council (UCC) of America and all the organisations managing the issuing of UPC & EAN Identification numbers then agreed that it was essential to change the name to one globally recognised one, namely GS1. Over 4 decades later, GS1’s global standards are the most widely used throughout Africa and around the world.
As a neutral standards body that supports over 12,000 companies, GS1 South Africa is inclusively user-driven & collaboratively trading to ensure optimal benefits in African supply chains . Our mission is to improve the efficiency, safety & visibility of supply chains across physical & digital channels with the use of GS1’s global standards & world leading barcodes.GS1 South Africa is the only authorised entity authorised to administer GS1 barcodes in South Africa and for some SADC countries. No other entity, other than a GS1 member organisation has the authority to issue out GS1 identifiers in Southern Africa.
GS1 South Africa enables trusted quality data to be shared everywhere, collaborating with thousands of local companies and millions of global businesses, together telling the stories behind products, locations, cargo and more. Important information such as where they’re from, what they are, where they have been during their supply-chain journey, adding real-time visibility as well as their unique descriptions & features.