GS1 UAE: Building Trust Through Global Standards
Transparency is no longer optional but has become a business essential. Whether you are exporting goods across borders, purchasing groceries, or managing hospital supplies, it is necessary to ensure product safety and data reliability.
That’s where GS1 UAE (United Arab Emirates) comes into play. As the official provider of GS1 standards in the Emirates, it helps businesses operate transparently, efficiently, and reliably. By offering globally recognized identification standards, the organization makes it simpler for companies to track items, share accurate information, and meet international regulations.
This blog explores how GS1 AE is shaping the future of business through innovative services and collaborative initiatives.
Table of Contents
What is GS1 UAE?
GS1 UAE is the official body responsible for implementing global GS1 standards across the United Arab Emirates. As a local branch of a global non-profit organization, it works closely with businesses, government entities, and trade associations to promote a unified system for identifying products, locations, and supply chain events.
From manufacturing to healthcare, its services are designed to solve real-world business challenges and help Emirati companies adopt world-class practices. It helps companies operate smarter by offering tools that support digital transformation, reliable data sharing, and regulatory compliance.
Address: Bay Square Building 13, Office 603, Business Bay_ Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Contact no: +971 4 557 0988
Email: info@gs1ae.org
Introduced initiatives and collaborated campaigns
GS1 UAE is involved in several collaborative campaigns and initiatives to enable businesses to adopt global standards that enhance traceability and drive digital innovation.
UAE's Tatmeen Platform
Tatmeen is a national pharmaceutical traceability platform launched by the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) in partnership with GS1 and EVOTEQ (a global proven specialist building platforms for tracing products). It uses GS1 standards to track medicines from manufacturer to patient.
This collaboration ensures supply chain transparency, possibly reduces counterfeits, and positions the UAE as a global leader in pharmaceutical safety.
Dubai Health Authority (DHA) Automated Pharmacies
GS1 partnered with the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) to implement GS1 standards across DHA’s automated pharmacy systems. These standards enable accurate identification, verification, and distribution of medications, reducing errors and improving patient safety.
The collaboration supports DHA’s digital transformation goals and enhances traceability across the pharmaceutical supply chain, aligning with global best practices.
Make it in the Emirates Initiative
As part of the UAE’s industrial strategy managed by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT), GS1 supports the Make it in the Emirates initiative by providing global identification and data standards to local manufacturers.
Through GS1 standards and data sharing solutions, GS1 AE helps UAE-made products meet international compliance, enhance supply chain visibility, and scale globally. This collaboration empowers manufacturers to build consumer trust and integrate effectively into global markets.
Strengthening Global Ties Through Innovation
GS1 joined the UAE Ministry of Economy’s delegation to Switzerland, supporting international collaboration around food innovation and sustainable growth.
The visit connected UAE businesses with Swiss industry leaders, where GS1 AE highlighted how its global standards facilitate smarter trade, digital innovation, and supply chain transparency that helps build resilient food systems.
At Bühler Group’s headquarters, the GS1 MO(member organization) showed how improved product traceability and supply chain interoperability can help global partners work better together. Their involvement highlighted the UAE’s commitment to food security and innovation.
GS1 UAE services for businesses
GS1 provides a range of services and tools to drive innovation in business practices.
Verified by GS1
Verified by GS1 is a global service offered that helps businesses confirm the authenticity of product, company, and location identifiers. By using GS1 identifiers like GTINs (Global Trade Item Numbers) and GLNs (Global Location Numbers), companies can search and verify key details.
This ensures that data behind barcodes, locations, and organizations is accurate and reliable. The service boosts supply chain transparency and builds confidence across retailers, marketplaces, and government entities.
Whether you're validating a product listing, confirming a supplier’s identity, or ensuring regulatory compliance, Verified by GS1 provides necessary data sourced directly from brand owners and manufacturers.
BrandSync
BrandSync is a smart and collaborative product information management (PIM) platform designed to simplify how businesses manage and share product information. It serves as a centralized hub where companies can store, organize, and enrich product data and digital assets all in one place.
This optimizes operations across multiple channels and reduces errors by automatically mapping files to the accurate product details.
The platform also supports smooth collaboration between brands and retailers, making it simpler to distribute consistent, high-quality content. With features like digital asset management and standardized formatting, BrandSync helps businesses save time and ensure accuracy when sharing product data with partners.
Data Quality Tools
Data Quality Tools empower businesses to improve the accuracy, consistency, and compliance of their product data across the supply chain. These tools include master data services, a structured data quality framework, certification programs, global package measurement rules, and a data quality e-learning module.
By ensuring product information, such as pricing, ingredients, and nutritional details is complete and reliable, companies can reduce errors, improve operational efficiency, meet regulatory standards, and build trust with trading partners and consumers.
My NumberBank
My NumberBank is GS1 UAE’s secure platform for assigning and managing GS1 identification keys like GTINs and GLNs. It enables businesses to generate barcodes, organize product data, and maintain a globally recognized record of their items, all in one place.
With real-time access and .csv upload/download options, the service helps companies prevent data errors and spreadsheet overload. It tracks GTIN usage, ensures proper formatting, and protects brand integrity by linking accurate product data to official GS1 standards.
GTN Estimator
The GTIN Estimator helps businesses quickly calculate how many GTINs they will need based on product variations like color, size, style, or packaging level. This tool is primarily useful for companies planning to sell items in different formats, such as individual units, packs, or cases, where each variation may need a unique barcode.
It decreases guesswork and ensures businesses assign the required number of identifiers from the start. It’s a step toward efficient product management and smoother barcode registration.
Applications of 2D barcodes across industries in the UAE
Retail is gearing up for a major upgrade by 2027. 2D barcodes are set to become the new standard across global stores. These codes can carry far more information than traditional 1D barcodes, exploring new possibilities for product transparency, traceability, and consumer engagement.
The goal is for retail scanners worldwide to read both formats, ensuring a smooth transition. This shift isn’t mandatory, at least not yet. Businesses can continue using 1D barcodes unless regulations or industry standards require otherwise.
During the transition, dual marking, using both 1D and 2D codes, is encouraged to ease adoption and maintain system compatibility.
Companies preparing for the Sunrise 2027 transition can choose to generate GS1-compliant 2D barcodes in-house by following GS1’s global implementation guidelines.
For organizations that lack the time and technical expertise, using a reliable third-party service, such as QR Tiger’s GS1 QR code generator, is helpful. It provides ready-to-use tools and integration support to streamline barcode creation and deployment.
Here are some of the key applications of these codes across industries in the UAE:
Retail & consumer goods
Retailers are adopting 2D barcodes to optimize checkout, improve inventory accuracy, and offer consumers instant access to product details. For example, a GS1 QR code links shoppers to nutritional info, allergen warnings, and sustainability credentials via a simple smartphone scan.
Brands use 2D codes to deliver promotional offers, receipt ideas, and post-purchase experiences, enhancing loyalty and transparency.
Healthcare & pharmaceuticals
In regulated sectors like healthcare, GS1 DataMatrix codes are critical for patient safety and compliance.
Hospitals and pharmacies in the UAE use 2D barcodes to track expiry dates, batch numbers, and serial numbers on medical products. The healthcare providers align with global GS1 standards to meet international regulatory requirements and improve supply chain visibility.
Logistics & supply chain
2D barcodes are transforming logistic operations by embedding detailed product data into compact, scannable formats.
UAE-based logistics firms are increasingly adopting 2D codes like QR codes enhanced with GS1 Digital Link to track goods across borders, warehouses, and delivery points. They enable inventory updates, automated sorting, and customs clearance to boost the UAE’s global trade.
Industrial & technical sectors
In sectors like electronics, construction, and manufacturing, 2D barcodes support asset tracking and compliance.
The manufacturers use 2D barcodes such as GS1 Digital Link QR code and GS1 DataMatrix to encode part numbers, certification data, and maintenance schedules. These codes simplify equipment servicing, quality audits, and regulatory reporting.
Strengthening the UAE’s Global Trade Identity
GS1 UAE empowers businesses across the Emirates to operate with greater transparency, efficiency, and global compatibility. By adopting GS1 standards, companies can uniquely identify products, locations, and shipments, ensuring smooth data exchange and traceability throughout the supply chain.
These standards connect stakeholders through verified, structured data. Registering with GS1 ensures businesses are aligned with global standards that prioritize innovation, authenticity, and sustainable growth.
Frequently asked questions
How can GS1 help improve data quality?
GS1 Data Quality service helps businesses keep product details accurate and aligned with global standards. The service supports master data management, certification, and training tools. With the high-quality data, companies can avoid costly mistakes and enhance trust across the supply chain.
How does GS1 reduce the risk of counterfeits?
Yes, GS1 Verified by GS1 service allows businesses to confirm the authenticity of product and company identifiers. This helps prevent counterfeiting and builds trust by connecting accurate data to official GS1 records.
Does GS1 offer training or support for businesses?
Yes, the organization provides extensive training and support services, including implementation guides, e-learning modules, and personalized assistance.
These resources help businesses understand and apply GS1 standards effectively, ensuring effective integration into their operations and maximizing the benefits of standardized data.
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.
