What GS1 US does

GS1 US is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit standards organization, founded in 1974 as the administrator of the UPC barcode system in the United States and now operating as the US member organization of GS1 Global. The company's core function is issuing and managing unique product identifiers (GTINs/UPCs) and location identifiers (GLNs) under the GS1 Standards framework, which also encompasses barcodes (UPC-A, GS1-128, GS1 DataMatrix, QR codes), RFID/EPC, and data exchange protocols (EPCIS, GDSN). GS1 US serves over 2 million companies across 25+ industries, with primary verticals in retail grocery, foodservice, healthcare/pharmaceutical, and apparel & general merchandise, and a small business segment representing a meaningful share of new identifier sales.

The technology platform centers on GS1 US Data Hub, an online self-service tool for creating and managing GTINs, GLNs, and product data, supplemented by the GDSN Harvester (automated data import from GDSN data pools), Rapid Record (SMS-based tool for FSMA 204 compliance), View/Use Subscriptions (API access for third-party data verification), and Verified by GS1 (global product data verification). The company generates revenue primarily through annual licensing of GS1 Company Prefixes (tiered from $250 to $10,500 initial fees plus $50 to $2,100 annual renewals, scaled by item count), individual GTIN sales at $30 each, Data Hub subscription fees, education and training through GS1 US University, and advisory services. Go-to-market is sales-led and self-service via the GS1 US Store, augmented by a Solution Partner network, the annual GS1 Connect conference, and educational content marketing. GS1 US is governed by a Board of Governors comprising senior executives from major US enterprises across retail, grocery, healthcare, and technology.

Name

GS1 US

Legal name

GS1 US, Inc.

Website

https://gs1us.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

GS1 US is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit standards organization that issues and manages GTIN (UPC) and GLN identifiers, along with related barcode, RFID, and data exchange standards, for over 2 million US companies across retail, foodservice, healthcare, and apparel.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Supply Chain Identification Standards

NAICS

Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Software Publishers (5132)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)

akta.pro primary industry

Compliance, Audit, RegTech & Regulatory Reporting Platforms (MPAEAKAJ)

Keywords

• Supply chain standards
• Product identification
• Barcode licensing
• GTIN allocation
• Global data synchronization

Headquarters

HQ city

Lawrenceville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. GS1 Company Prefix Licenses: Annual membership licensing fees for GS1 Company Prefixes that allow companies to create GTINs and GLNs. Pricing scales based on the number of product identifiers needed, with initial fees and annual renewal charges.
2. Individual GTIN and GLN Sales: One-time fees for individual Global Trade Item Numbers ($30 each) or Global Location Numbers for companies needing only a few identifiers without annual renewal fees.
3. Data Hub View/Use Subscriptions: Subscription services allowing companies to verify third-party product and location data using GS1 US databases, with options for export and API integration add-ons.
4. Education and Training: GS1 US University provides certificate courses, virtual classroom training, and educational materials on GS1 Standards, food safety (FSMA), product identification, and other topics.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

GS1 US licenses GS1 Standards identifiers (GTIN/UPC barcodes, GLN, GS1 Company Prefix) to U.S. businesses and operates the GS1 US Data Hub, a web platform for creating, managing, and sharing product and location data across supply chain trading partners. It supplements these core offerings with compliance tools (Rapid Record for FSMA 204), data exchange services (GDSN Harvester, View/Use Subscriptions, Verified by GS1), education (GS1 US University), and advisory/certification services.

Product overview

GS1 US is a platform-plus-modules organization providing supply chain identification standards and digital tools. The core offering centers on GS1 US Data Hub, an online platform for managing product identifiers (GTINs/UPC barcodes) and location identifiers (GLNs). Supporting modules include GS1 Company Prefix licensing for scalable barcode creation, individual GTIN purchases for smaller needs, and GLN management for location identification. The product portfolio extends to compliance tools (Rapid Record for FSMA 204, FSMA Rule 204 Resources), data exchange tools (GDSN Harvester, View/Use Subscriptions, Verified by GS1), educational offerings (GS1 US University with certificate courses), industry events (GS1 Connect Conference), and supplementary tools (Barcode Estimator, Check Digit Calculator, EPC Encoder/Decoder). The platform enables interoperability across global supply chains through standardized identification numbers and data sharing protocols.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Rapid Record: GS1 US tool that supports FSMA 204 by helping organizations capture and manage Critical Tracking Events (CTEs) via SMS using GTINs and GLNs for food product traceability.
• GDSN Harvester
• GS1 US Data Hub
• GS1 US University

Quantifiable outcome

• 2D barcodes can reduce warehouse costs by over 60%, representing annual savings exceeding $500,000 per facility compared to traditional 1D barcodes which incur over $800,000 annually in costs due to scan failures and relabeling
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• AmazonflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 June 2026Amazon partnered with GS1 US and TCO Certified in a pilot demonstrating that linking sustainability certification data to products using GS1 Standards can reduce verification time from 15-30 days to seconds. The pilot tested linking certification data to GTINs across multiple retail categories.
• TCO CertifiedflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 June 2026TCO Certified collaborated with GS1 US and Amazon on a pilot demonstrating sustainability certification verification via GS1 Standards. The pilot provides a framework for improving sustainability data exchange between brands, retailers, certification bodies, and consumers.
• VDC ResearchcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 May 2026VDC Research conducted research commissioned by GS1 US on the cost benefits of 2D barcode implementation in warehouse and distribution environments. The research found organizations implementing 2D barcodes can reduce operational costs by over 60%.
• Inmar IntelligencecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 February 2026Inmar Intelligence partnered with GS1 US to enhance the accuracy and speed of launching coupons and incentive programs for CPG brands by providing direct access to GS1 product identifiers. This collaboration aims to improve product data accuracy, reduce errors, and support brand growth, especially during rapid expansion or mergers.
• IBM Food TrustcoreTechnology or Integration · 5 December 2025IBM Food Trust is one of the top 10 digital traceability platforms using GS1 standards for blockchain-based food supply chain traceability solutions.
• Food Industry FSMA 204 CollaborationflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 September 2024Eight leading food industry organizations formed the Food Industry FSMA 204 Collaboration to help the industry prepare for compliance with the U.S. FDA's Food Traceability Rule. The collaboration shares resources, provides education, and coordinates messaging across the food supply chain.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• GS1 Global: Global parent federation of GS1 member organizations that develops and maintains the core GTIN/GLN/EPCIS standards GS1 US administers. Operates the same standards framework but at a global coordination level rather than US-specific licensing.
• IBM Food Trust: Blockchain-based food supply chain traceability platform built on GS1 Standards. Listed as a top GS1-integrated traceability partner, representing the application-layer ecosystem GS1 US enables through its standards and identifier licensing.

Direct peers

• 1WorldSync: Operates GDSN-certified data pools that interoperate with GS1 US Data Hub for synchronized product content exchange. Most directly comparable counterpart in the GS1 data ecosystem, enabling product information sharing between trading partners.

Emerging players

• Syndigo: Product information management and content syndication platform serving CPG brands and retailers with rich product content, images, and attributes. Competes for the same product data management wallet that GS1 US addresses with Data Hub and Verified by GS1.
• Salsify: Product experience management (PXM) platform helping brands deliver product content across retailers and marketplaces. Targets the same brand-side product data management use cases adjacent to GS1 US Data Hub subscriptions.
• TraceLink: Pharmaceutical track-and-trace network built around DSCSA compliance, leveraging GS1 Standards for serialization. Overlaps directly with GS1 US's healthcare/DSCSA enablement and represents an application-layer alternative for pharma manufacturers.
• Riversand: Master Data Management (MDM) and product information platform for multi-domain enterprise data, including product, supplier, and location master data. Comparable to GS1 US's GLN and product master data management capabilities for enterprise customers.
• Stibo Systems: Master Data Management (MDM) platform with deep product, supplier, and location data management capabilities for retail and CPG. Competes with GS1 US Data Hub for enterprise product master data engagements.

Others

• ISO (International Organization for Standardization): Global standards body operating in adjacent areas (e.g., ISO/IEC barcode symbology standards). Comparable as a competing/overlapping international standards organization but not a direct commercial peer since ISO doesn't sell identifier licenses.
• Inmar Intelligence: CPG data, promotions, and supply chain services company with a strategic partnership to launch coupons and incentive programs using GS1 identifiers. Adjacent ecosystem participant rather than direct competitor, but operates in overlapping retail/CPG data workflows.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights1 record

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/gs1_us
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/GS1US
• Facebookfacebook.com/gs1us
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gs1-us

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments3 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about GS1 US