GS1 Activate makes it easier to create barcodes online. Enabling businesses to generate barcodes and share product data, helping you trade better locally & globally.

GS1 Activate allows you to

Get GTINs
Get GTINs
Create barcodes for your products, and share the GTINs with your customers.
Get GTINs
Share product data
The basic product data that you add to GS1 Activate will be made available globally so that retailers and marketplaces can view it.
Get GTINs
Generate barcode symbols
Once you have a GTIN, you can generate the barcode to print on product packaging. We also give advice on how to print and place barcodes so they scan well every time!
Register For GS1 Activate

Start using GS1 Activate in 3 simple steps

GS1 Activate allows you to generate barcode numbers & symbols that enable effective product data sharing, ultimately helping businesses locally and globally trade better

Step 1: Become a GS1 South Africa member

After joining GS1, you’ll receive login details so you can access GS1 Activate by visiting member login page.

Step 2: Add the products you need to barcode

With the dashboard you can add, view and edit products under “My Products”. To add products, start with a consumer/base unit, then enter product data like name, description, weight, size, flavour, colour, images, etc. This information helps you identify and manage your product inventory and associated barcodes.

Product ID

Step 3: Generate GTINs & Barcodes

After products have been submitted, GTINs and barcodes are created, which can be downloaded from GS1 Activate in a variety of formats.

Download Full GS1 Activate Guide
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Activate frequently asked questions

  • How do I log in to Activate?

    Once you have set your Activate password, you can log in here.

  • Where can I find my barcode licences on Activate?

    You will find your barcode licence on the “Licence” tab. Members who have applied for single barcode licences will have the first 12 digits of their barcode number on Activate.

  • What is the difference between a product sold at point of sale and a product not sold at point of sale?

    A product sold at point of sale is an item scanned at a POS/till point at a Retailer/ Wholesaler E.g. a Jar of Jam.

    A product not sold at the point of sale means that the item is transported to the Retailer / Wholesalers in bulk. E.g. a case of 200 Jars of Jam to be broken down into single products.

  • What is the difference between a Fixed and Variable Product?

    A fixed product is a product with a fixed weight, Unit of Measure, Net content e.g. 500 Grams of Jam.

    A variable product is one that’s priced, ordered, or invoiced in quantities which can vary by product, weight, or content e.g. lose fresh produce.

  • What is the difference between a base unit and a higher-level unit?

    A Base unit means the product cannot be broken into other products that are sold separately.

    A Higher-level unit means that the product can be broken down and sold separately e.g. a shrink pack, a box, or a case.

  • What is the product's functional name?

    The product’s functional name is the name used to describe the use of the item/product by the consumer e,g Jam, Hand sanitiser, flour etc

  • What is the Global Product Category code?

    The GPC code is used to group products based on similar characteristics according to the GS1 Global Product Classification.

    Link to the Global Product Category: https://www.gs1.org/services/gpc-browser to find your GPC code.

  • How large should the Product image for Activate be?

    The Activate platform takes a maximum size of 25 MB.

  • Can I design my barcode symbol on the Activate system?

    You can download a PDF and EPS barcode symbol on Activate. The EPS format can be designed and Is recommended to forward to packaging printers.

  • Can I edit the product information Activated?

    Yes, you can edit your product within 3 hours. If you need to edit the information after the 3 hours, send a request to services@gs1za.org with the Barcode number and the information to be edited.

  • What are the product image upload specifications on Activate?

    Activate supports gif, jpg, jpeg & png file extensions image formats. You can also paste the image URLs. The image should not be larger than 2MB.

  • How do I register for Activate training?

    Send your Activate training request to services@gs1za.org