GS1 General Specifications

The GS1 General Specifications (GenSpec) is the comprehensive standards document defining how barcodes and identification numbers should be used to comply with the GS1 Barcode Standards. The current version (v. 24 January 2024) has a total of 509 pages.

These standards address both a model of identification and detailed specification of the various barcode data carriers. Retailers, manufacturers, distributors, and solution providers rely on these guidelines. To view the current GS1 General Specifications, please click on the button below.

GS1 identification standards are expansive, complex, and constantly changing. The GS1 Support program is the yearly subscription that provides ongoing support for UPC/GTIN barcodes and product information and is for companies with existing GS1 Prefixes

GS1 Support programs are utilized by companies that do not have a GS1-trained employee on staff or a dedicated team to address the item and carton identification requirements for their trading partners. In addition to ongoing support by a dedicated consultant, all suppport program gain access to the GTIN.cloud data management portal.