GS1 Canada: Data Sharing Across Industries
QR codes bridge the gap between the physical and digital world. They have become a vital tool across industries, enhancing processes and accessibility. They facilitate instant data sharing, smooth customer engagement, secure transactions, and more.
In this article, we will discuss the significance of GS1-enabled QR codes in revolutionizing operations across industries in Canada.
Table of Contents
What is GS1 Canada?
GS1 Canada is a non-profit organization that establishes and manages global standards that enhance business efficiency and communication. It is a global GS1 (a supply chain standards organization) member.
The organization represents the requirements of Canadian industry in the development of the GS1 System at the international level.
The Grocery Product Manufacturers of Canada founded the Product Code Council of Canada in 1975. The purpose of this establishment is to oversee the Canadian barcode system. In 1985, the EDI Council of Canada was founded to oversee standardized electronic business messaging to make the Canadian grocery supply chain more efficient.
The functions of these two organizations were merged under the Electronic Commerce Council of Canada (ECCC) in 1997. The ECCC joined as a member of EAN International in 2002.
It is an international leader that plays a vital role in standardizing data sharing, product identification, and supply chain efficiency in different industries.
Its key role is to foster the development of global standards that lay a common foundation for businesses. To fulfil this role, it uniquely identifies, captures, and automatically shares essential information about assets, products, and locations.
How does GS1 Canada ensure data excellence and product visibility
The following point highlights the reasons behind the great significance of this organization.
Unbiased community leadership
The organization has acquired vast industry experience over 25 years. It has earned a great reputation in industry partnerships. By following a fair community management process, it facilitates collaboration between stakeholders, leaders, and experts. Also, it offers data standards that help solve known industry issues.
Exceptional data standards
The organization is recognized for its leadership in product data accuracy in Canada. It promises convenient and swift access to a reliable source for comprehensive and precise bilingual product data. Hence, it assists businesses of all sizes in fulfilling critical business needs.
Uniform product visibility
The country’s central product registry follows GS1 global standards. This helps products stay visible and traceable throughout the supply chain. It also keeps brand details consistent and makes working across different systems and platforms easier.
Benefits of using GS1 Standards in Canada
Here are some key advantages of using these standards in Canada:
Enhanced supply chain efficiency
The standards offer a universal identification mechanism that guarantees smooth communication between retailers, suppliers, and manufacturers. Businesses can use the QR code to help track products in real-time, manage inventory accurately, and decrease delays.
Using this type of smart code leads to fewer stockouts, faster order processing, and efficient warehouse management. Hence, the supply chain performance improves.
Canadian businesses integrate GS1-compliant QR codes into digital systems to streamline operations, boost data accuracy, and enhance decision-making. This integration is chiefly beneficial for industries like logistics and retail. The reason is that real-time data access in these industries improves inventory tracking.
Builds consumer trust
These codes let businesses provide comprehensive product information to customers. For example, a product QR code printed on a product packaging can share details like allergens, ingredients, originality certification, and sustainability practices.
These details build consumer trust and eventually reinforce brand reputation. They also assist businesses in adhering to Canadian product labelling standards to let customers make wise buying decisions.
Reliable and accurate scanning
Users can scan these barcodes in any direction because these codes can help recover damaged or missing modules. This ability reduces transaction delays. The built-in error correction on GS1 QR codes ensures that essential supply chain data can be accessed even when the package is partially damaged.
Ensure compliance and safety
These standards ensure accurate product identification and traceability. So, they enable businesses to adopt GS1 compliance as an industry-driven approach to fulfilling regulatory expectations. For example, in the food industry, these codes support traceability from farm to consumers. Hence, businesses can comply with food safety standards and effectively manage recall processes.
Cuts cost and boosts efficiency
GS1-compliant standards automate data collection and reduce data input mistakes to help businesses save money and time. For example, a GS1 Digital Link QR code minimizes label clutter by combining multiple data points. It also reduces time spent on manual tasks like inventory counting.
These codes let businesses optimize order processing, resulting in higher supply chain efficiency.
Enables consistent global trade
Recognized globally, these standards allow Canadian businesses to efficiently handle imports and exports. Companies can avoid compatibility concerns while exporting products and thus trade smoothly with global partners.
The ability to trade seamlessly across borders is chiefly beneficial for retail, logistics, and e-commerce. The reason is that universal product identification simplifies regulatory clearance and inventory tracking in these industries.
Drives sustainability
GS1-compliant standards let businesses digitize their product information. So, the need for printed materials and excess packaging reduces. GS1 traceability solutions can help companies track carbon footprints, procure ethical materials, and comply with environmental regulations. Hence, sustainability practices become more transparent for consumers.
The stock rotation and inventory management minimize financial loss. So, it reduces waste from expired products.
Helps prevents fraud
To lessen the risks of counterfeit products, the QR code helps secure product authentication. So, customers can verify original products before buying. GS1 standards help enable verification of the source of manufacture to avoid fraud and maintain brand integrity.
2D Barcode uses across industries in Canada
Here are the major applications of these codes across industries in Canada:
Retail & Ecommerce
Retailers can use GS1-enabled QR codes to simplify checkout processes, improve inventory accuracy, and optimize supply chain operations. For example, a business can integrate a GS1 barcode into online marketing campaigns, smart packaging, and loyalty programs.
When Canadian consumers scan these smart barcodes, they can verify origin details, product authenticity, and sustainability certifications.
Sunrise 2027 is the global goal for retailers to start accepting 2D barcodes—like GS1 QR codes and Data Matrix—at their point-of-sale systems by the year 2027.
It’s not a hard deadline, but a shared industry push to prepare systems for the next generation of barcodes.
Logistics
In supply chain management and logistics, these standards ensure flawless tracking, high operational efficiency, and shipment verification. Canadian manufacturers, shipping agents, and distributors use these codes for real-time logistics tracking and warehouse automation.
The increasing use of these codes in the industry will reduce errors and optimize logistics flow. These codes also assist Canadian companies in complying with serialization and product traceability regulations. So, they can make exports more efficient.
Food & Beverage
With the use of these codes, Canadian food manufacturers and vendors can comply with CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency) regulations. So, the food products tracking happens comprehensively from farm to table.
These codes enable consumers to access allergen warnings, nutrition facts, and sustainability practices.
They allow consumers to access nutrition facts, allergen warnings, and sustainability practices. This access supports the organization’s mission to ensure transparent and safe food labeling.
GS1 in Canada helps in quality control because it supports rapid food recall management through QR codes. So, brands can efficiently trace and discard defective/contaminated products from retail shelves.
Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals
The GS1 Digital Link allows healthcare providers in the country to improve their service delivery and benefit patients with seamless information access. These barcodes also help pharmacies and hospitals with seamless patient verification, accurate medication tracking, and fraud prevention.
Considering the implementation target deadline of December 31, 2025, Canadian hospital pharmacies and pharmacy retail are transitioning to GS1 2D barcodes. As a result, they contribute to safer delivery processes.
For stakeholders in the Canadian cannabis industry—including licensed producers, retailers, authorities, and distributors—the timeline for implementing GS1 DataMatrix is January 1st, 2025.
Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG)
Smart product packaging is one of the noteworthy applications of using GS1 QR codes for industry compliance. Canadian brands incorporate these codes in product packages to convey usage instructions, verification details, and warranty activation. This approach reduces dependence on printed materials and supports sustainable business practices.
The swift identification of recalled products allows retailers and manufacturers to ensure product safety and direct customer communication. The flawless communication leads to customer satisfaction.
Apparel
Brands in the fashion and apparel industry in Canada use the GS1 2D barcodes to validate product authenticity and ethical sourcing. Apparel brands can integrate these codes to let consumers authenticate product originality and thus reduce fraud risks.
For instance, many brands in the country integrate these codes into clothing labels, allowing shoppers to access more details about material quality, ethical sourcing, production practices, etc.
Electronics
GS1 in Canada provides the guidelines and standards that help electronics manufacturers adopt QR codes to handle tasks like security verification, warranty authentication, and troubleshooting guides. Canadian consumers can scan these codes to access technical specifications, digital manuals, and customer support, reducing the reliance on bulk hard copies.
Inspiring success stories from GS1 Canada
Let’s go through a few real use cases:
1) Chilly Paste Co. boosts retail presence
A Canadian food brand, Chilly Paste Co. is led by Amanda Luthra. The brand uses fresh, locally sourced ingredients without artificial preservatives.
As the brand expanded its reach, the owner realized the significance of understanding the logistics of bringing her sauces to market. This led her to approach GS1 in Canada and then subscribe through their Trade Readiness Program.
The owner worked with the organization's employees to get guidance on the working mechanism of barcodes, the number of barcodes to use, etc. This understanding helped her save money, and working with the organization helped this brand effectively commercialize its products.
2) Cantoo City scales e-commerce efficiency
Sherry Gu founded Cantoo City in 2022 with a mission to create easy-to-use art kits. The brand gradually increased its online presence and customer base and cultivated a community.
Canadian GS1 standards assisted the brand by providing essential tools and barcodes to get started. To align with the requirements of brick-and-mortar stores for future growth, the brand turned to GS1 in Canada as it started selling online.
Using its tools and barcodes helped the brand ensure that its product meets both retailer requirements and e-commerce standards. The brand is expected to use the organization’s additional solutions, like data management and photography, as it continues to grow.
3) Firebarns Hot Sauce’s business expansion
Firebarns is a Canadian hot sauce brand founded in Quebec City in 2015. The company began with one supermarket and now operates around 2,000 retail outlets.
The company’s co-founders came to learn about Canadian GS1 standards’ role in the growth of the company. They communicated with the team and learnt how the organization’s easy-to-use platform works well for grocery retail business.
The co-founders appreciate ease of recalls whenever a product/ingredient needs to be traced. The company can now determine the type of sauce bottle, ingredients used, and the product status in the shipping process. The co-founders expect to see Firebarn's products distributed worldwide.
4) Saltwinds Coffee Company ensures product transparency
Dr. Laura Richard founded Saltwinds Coffee in 2022 to reinstate the taste of coffee as it tasted in the 1800s. Richard realized the need to acquire GS1 barcodes when Sobeys and Hudson Group (owner of Hudson News, a chain of duty-free stores in North America) approached them.
The company subsequently got the GS1 in Canada subscription via the Small Business Trade-Readiness Certification Program. This program guides small businesses on steps to meet trading partner requirements across grocery and food service channels.
Richard expressed her interest in using data management tools of Canadian GS1 standards. As the company scales nationally, it will need high-quality, accessible data. The data management tool will help the company load its data and efficiently share it with several retailers from a unified, secure location.
5) Sun Under the Sea scales dairy-free growth
The co-founders of Sun Under the Sea realized issues like dairy sensitivities and came up with a clean alternative with several health benefits.
During the product development in 2019, the co-founders realized the need to obtain a barcode to sell products at a retail store or online. They turned up to GS1 in Canada after recognizing its worth in unique identification and product traceability.
The co-founders were impressed with the organization’s community support, webinars, and other educational materials. The suppliers and entrepreneurs in the community have helped the co-founders learn from their experiences. The company expects to leverage the organization’s community support in expanding its presence globally for its collagen-infused products.
How to create GS1 QR codes?
Here are all the essential steps to get started:
1) Account creation
First, visit GS1 Canada to create an account and then choose a subscription as per your barcode needs. This provides you access to verifiable, globally unique barcodes and GTINs for your products.
2) Generate GS1 QR Codes
The next step is to generate GS1 2D barcodes from a reliable QR code generator like QR Tiger/GS1. Make sure the generated codes follow GS1 standards and include key details like GTIN, lot number, expiration date, and traceability data.
3) Code integration
Integrate the generated QR codes on product packages, labels, or tags. Collaborate with retailers, suppliers, and technology partners to ensure compatibility of QR codes with point of sale scanners and inventory tracking solutions. Also, your business must educate staff on the usage and maintenance of QR codes for operations.
4) Enhance and track QR code performance
Enhance the QR code implementation through training programs and support resources of GS1 in Canada. Monitor QR code scan rates and consumer engagement metrics to ensure efficient performance.
Stay abreast with the organization’s dynamic standards to embrace digital transformation and advancements in barcode technology.
Embrace GS1 Standards for smooth Canadian business operations
GS1 standards in Canada play an essential role in enhancing business transparency, efficiency, and compliance across different industries. From logistics to electronics, GS1-compliant QR codes benefit businesses with consumer trust, global system integration, and supply chain optimization.
Canadian businesses can meet regulatory requirements, improve traceability, and reduce errors by adopting GS1-compliant standards. Any business entity can join it to ensure improved operational efficiency, smooth integration, and global compliance.
DISCLAIMER: We acknowledge that GS1, as well as the materials, proprietary items, and all related patents, copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property (collectively, “intellectual property”) relating to its use, are the property of GS1 Global, and that our use of the same shall be in accordance with the conditions provided by GS1 Global.
