This checklist provides essential guidelines for ensuring compliance with GS1 label specifications. It is designed for users of EDI Barcoding services.

EDI Barcoding, based in Cleveland, specializes in barcoding, EDI integrations, and maintaining SLA standards. Our approach emphasizes clarity in B2B transactions.

Checklist Items

Following this checklist will help you create accurate and compliant labels, facilitating smoother operations and better communication in your supply chain.

More context

Practical notes for EDI Barcoding readers — gs1 label spec checklist. Reach us via the contact page.

Going Deeper: What Each Checklist Item Means in Practice

A checklist is only as useful as the detail behind each line. Below are the practical points that most often separate a label that passes a retailer or distribution centre audit from one that triggers chargebacks or manual rework.

Company Prefix and GTIN structure

Your GS1 Company Prefix is licensed to your organisation, and every GTIN you assign must be built from it. Confirm that the item reference numbers are not reused across different products, and that the check digit is calculated correctly. GTIN-12 (UPC-A) is common for retail in the United States, while GTIN-14 is typical for cases and other trade units. A different pack configuration, such as a 6-pack versus a 12-pack, generally needs its own GTIN.

Shipping labels and the SSCC

For pallets and cartons moving through the supply chain, the GS1 logistics label is built around the Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC), encoded in a GS1-128 barcode with Application Identifier (00). Each SSCC must be unique to one logistic unit. The SSCC must also match what you send in your advance ship notice (EDI 856), so label printing and EDI data should come from the same source record.

Print quality and placement

  • Check barcode quality with a verifier, not just a handheld scanner. A barcode that scans once at your dock may still fail on a high-speed conveyor.
  • Respect quiet zones, the clear space on either side of the bars.
  • Follow placement guidance for cases and pallets. Labels are usually placed on at least one side, and often on two adjacent sides for pallets, away from edges, seams and strapping.
  • Pick label stock and ribbon to suit the environment. Cold storage, humidity and abrasion all affect how readable a label stays.

Human-readable text and trading-partner rules

The text printed beneath or beside a barcode should match the encoded data exactly, including Application Identifiers shown in parentheses. Many retailers publish their own routing guides that add requirements on top of GS1 standards, such as PO numbers, store codes or specific label zones. Treat those guides as binding and recheck them when they are updated.

If you are setting up labelling alongside an EDI rollout, our solutions overview explains how the two fit together. You can also browse further material in resources.

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