Building a sustainable foundation that links products and certifications

As demand for product transparency and sustainability grows, many certification systems still rely on outdated, fragmented processes that make it difficult to link certifications to specific products. To address this challenge, GS1 Sweden partnered with TCO Development, the organisation behind TCO Certified—the world’s leading sustainability certification for IT products. By integrating the GS1 Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) into the certification process, products can now be uniquely identified and directly connected to their certifications, improving traceability and trust. This approach simplifies data sharing, reduces fraud risk, and strengthens the visibility of certified sustainable products across marketplaces and procurement systems. Brand owners, retailers, and buyers all benefit from greater efficiency, credibility, and transparency. The collaboration offers a blueprint for how GS1 standards can support reliable sustainability claims and a more circular economy.