Powering trusted data for businesses, consumers, patients and society
GS1 Year in Review 2024/25
The past year has been one of strong progress for the entire GS1 community. Across industries and borders, we advanced innovation, improved safety, and built more transparent, efficient supply chains. From retail and logistics to food, agriculture, and healthcare, our standards continue to deliver real-world results.
A highlight was the 20th anniversary of GS1 Healthcare, a powerful reminder of how our standards enable better patient safety and strengthen health systems worldwide.
2024/25 GS1 Year in Review
We also celebrated inspiring examples of trusted data in action (see more examples below in the Case studies section):
- Marketplaces such as Allegro in Poland use GS1 standards to authenticate product data, eliminate duplicates, and enhance online shopping.
- Tesco in the UK deploys QR Codes powered by GS1 to give shoppers instant access to accurate product information, reducing food waste and preventing expired product sales.
- GS1 Sweden, partnering with TCO Certified, a leading sustainability certification body for IT products, improves traceability for more than 100 million electronic products, advancing sustainability and transparency.
These achievements show the power of global collaboration and lay the foundation for what’s next.
Fifty years after a simple barcode transformed global trade, we face another pivotal moment. Artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and growing demands for transparency all point to one essential need: trusted, real-time data. Our shared response is GS1 Vision 2030 —a five-year strategy to help businesses, consumers, and patients thrive in a data-driven world.
When data can be trusted, shared, and understood seamlessly, it unlocks infinite possibilities:
- Companies of all sizes can reach markets and list products globally.
- Supply chains gain visibility, efficiency, and resilience.
- Consumers can scan a product to see its full story.
- Patients benefit from improved safety and outcomes.
- Businesses meet sustainability and regulatory goals while supporting a circular economy.
Vision 2030 is shaped by industry leaders and built on three pillars:
- Industry needs first—addressing real-world challenges in retail, marketplaces, healthcare, and more.
- Trusted identification—unique, verified identifiers powering registries, next-generation barcodes, and global data standards.
- Accelerate as one GS1—working faster and more collaboratively across our federation.
As we launch Vision 2030, we extend heartfelt thanks to our users who believe in the power of standards to create trust in data, to every GS1 Member Organisation and the local boards who support them, to our dedicated GS1 Management Board members, and to our passionate teams at the GS1 Global Office. Your commitment and collaboration make GS1 unique and powerful.
Together, we are shaping a future powered by trust, collaboration, and impact.
The world is more digital than ever, and in this AI-driven economy, data quality isn’t optional—it’s everything. Trusted, shareable data unlocks infinite possibilities for society, businesses, consumers, and patients. AI is only as powerful as the data behind it—and GS1 powers data you can trust and share.
Mark Batenic
GS1 Management Board Chair
Message from our CEO, Renaud de Barbuat
Case studies
We are pleased to share inspiring examples of trusted data in action. These case studies show how global collaboration and GS1 standards help industries meet real-world needs and build a strong foundation for what’s ahead. The highlights below offer just a selection of the great work happening worldwide as GS1 Member Organisations support their communities in addressing key industry challenges. You can explore many more success stories here.
Tesco in early trials of next generation barcodes in move set to reshape UK retail
TCO Certified & GS1 Sweden: Building a sustainable foundation that links products and certifications
Via Marte Brazil: Improving consumer experience, as well as improving operational efficiency
Improving patient safety and facilitating regulatory compliance
Allegro: Enhancing online shopping with trusted data
Enhancing safer travel with predictive maintenance in transportation
2024/25 key highlights
Paving the way for 2030 with GS1’s global vision
Around the world, industries are facing rapid change, new regulations and rising expectations for sustainability. In a world shaped by AI and digital transformation, our role has never been more important. In response, we created the GS1 Vision 2030 - a five-year global strategy designed to help industries grow, innovate and address new challenges and meet regulatory demands in a data-driven world.
Driving 2D barcode adoption with new resources
Significant progress has been made in the transition to 2D barcodes, with new resources released to guide implementation. These include an executive slide deck, a point-of-sale guideline, inspiring case studies and FSMA204 training delivered with GS1 US to support Member Organisations exporting to the US.
Global migration to 2D: building momentum worldwide
Momentum continues to build globally, with 51 countries—representing 90% of global GDP—piloting or implementing 2D barcodes. GS1 has gathered key learnings from 20 Member Organisations, improved communication materials, and strengthened measurement with 80 Member Organisations reporting through the Insights Tracker, all aligned with Ambition 2027.
Expanding global adoption of GS1 standards
GS1 engagement with marketplaces has grown rapidly to 102 globally, up from just 42 in under three years. Today, over 60% require GTINs in at least one category, and 34 are using or testing Verified by GS1 to ensure trusted, accurate product data.
Advancing GS1 Registries globally to build digital trust
GS1 Registries advanced its global reach and sector relevance, supporting trusted product identity across retail, marketplaces and public policy domains. The Links Registry was launched, Verified by GS1 services expanded and implementation stories were published that showcase real-world impact across priority use cases like certifications and traceability. These efforts reflect GS1’s commitment to enabling digital trust, interoperability and innovation through collaborative engagement with Member Organisations and industry partners.
Evolving standards to meet today’s global needs
42 new standards and guidelines were ratified in fiscal year 2024, supported by a global community of 800+ industry companies. Among these were the Digital Product Passport (DPP) Provisional Standard and the EUDR Provisional Standard. 12 GSMP Mission-Specific Working Groups (MSWGs) are currently in operation. Also, the new Intellectual Property Policy was released to support a more digitalised, global future to reflect today’s best practices for standard development.
One Product, One Barcode: building clarity and trust
The ‘One Product, One Barcode’ initiative, captured in a landmark report developed by Deloitte, addresses the challenge of multiple barcodes on healthcare product packs. By moving towards a single, standardised GS1 barcode, the healthcare industry can simplify scanning, reduce errors, and ensure more accurate data capture from manufacturing to the point of care. The report outlines the readiness of the sector, opportunities for stakeholders, and practical steps to accelerate this transition, making every scan more transparent, faster, and safer for patients and providers.
Celebrating 20 Years of GS1 Healthcare: one scan at a time
In 2025, GS1 Healthcare celebrated 20 years of safer, smarter care through global standards. Since the first barcode scan in healthcare, every beep has helped protect patients by enabling stronger traceability and more efficient supply chains. Among the achievements of this journey is the global progress on Unique Device Identification (UDI), reinforced by key regulatory milestones in Europe, the US, and Australia. These advances highlight GS1’s enduring role as a trusted partner in healthcare.
GS1 Hospital: expanding with new rooms and stories
The GS1 Hospital is an interactive platform that demonstrates how GS1 standards improve patient safety and efficiency across every part of a hospital. In 2025, the platform expanded with new rooms and processes, offering real-world case studies from hospitals worldwide. Ongoing projects are adding even more areas, making the experience richer and more relevant for clinicians and patients alike. By showing how every scan connects trusted data to safer care, the GS1 Hospital continues to grow as a practical showcase of healthcare transformation.
Regional policy implementation plans: strengthening local impact
The Global Public Policy team is driving stronger regional engagement with policymakers worldwide. Recent highlights include GS1 Canada’s participation in the International Cooperation on Cosmetics Regulation (ICCR), GS1 South Africa’s involvement in the G20, and GS1 China Digital Product Passport (DPP) white paper, ensuring GS1 standards are well represented in key policy discussions.
Global collaboration: building trusted partnerships
GS1 is deepening collaboration with leading international organisations and standards bodies. This includes recognition of GS1 standards; active involvement in EU public policy frameworks, such as the DPP and deforestation; engagement with the Asian Development Bank-funded project and participation in CIRPASS-II - an EU-funded project. Nearly 30 GS1 Member Organisations are involved in the EU’s CEN DPP summer review, supported by a dedicated public policy strategy.
GS1 Global Public Policy Hub: shaping the future together
Launched with the leadership of P&G, Amazon, and SOK, the Global Public Policy Hub brings together industry public policy leaders and Member Organisations. The forum is proactively addressing emerging legislation worldwide, including digital labelling requirements and DPP Acts, ensuring industry voices are heard early in the policy process.
Driving sustainability through standards and collaboration
The Sustainability Programme was established and the following has been operationalized. Work on the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) training development is near completion. There is a key focus on Certifications and Claims, with solution guidance currently in the final review. Extensive collaboration on sustainability data and ESG with the Retail & Marketplaces teams is also underway.
Stronger together: global collaboration in action
In 2024/25, GS1 Global Events set new records, bringing together industry leaders and participants from around the world. Highlights included the GS1 Industry & Standards event with strong stakeholder engagement, the first-ever GS1 Global Forum in the Netherlands welcoming over 2,100 participants from 111 MOs, a successful Standards Week and the General Assembly hosted in Mumbai. Looking ahead, the Global Forum returns to Noordwijk in February 2026, followed by the General Assembly in Warsaw from 18-21 May.
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About us
GS1 Global governance
This year, we are delighted to welcome ten new global Management Board members from across a wide range of sectors—including retail and distribution, apparel and sports goods, home goods, construction, manufacturing, and healthcare. Their diverse expertise reflects GS1’s commitment to advancing the adoption of standards and delivering meaningful benefits to our members worldwide.
GS1 Management Board
Meet the leaders on this Board >
GS1 GDSN Board
Meet the leaders on this Board >
GS1 Global leadership team
GS1 Global Leadership team (from left to right): Robyn Burke - Vice President Human Resources; Renaud de Barbuat - President & Chief Executive Officer; Bart Adam - Chief Financial and Administration Officer; Stéphanie van Rossum - Head of Marketing, Events and MO Enablement; Romanie Dendooven – General Counsel and Robert Beideman - Chief Product Officer. This is the leadership team at the end of the fiscal year 2024/25.
Culture and values
The shared values and behaviours that inspire us and define the way we work together.
The DNA graphic represents the core of GS1’s culture, centered on five key values: inspirational leadership, trust and integrity, teamwork and collaboration, a passion for results, and innovation. It showcases how our diverse global team, with its unique talents and backgrounds, unites to positively impact the communities we serve.
What makes GS1 unique is our culture of community and shared purpose. Across countries and industries, we come together and see one vision, speak with one voice and act as one organisation. With Vision 2030, this spirit is stronger than ever—making a real difference for businesses and people worldwide.
Timothy P. Smucker
Chairman Emeritus, The J.M. Smucker Company;
Chair Emeritus, GS1 Management Board