What AECOC does

AECOC (Asociación Española de Codificación Comercial) is a Spanish non-profit business association founded in 1977 and headquartered in Barcelona. It is the sole authorized GS1 member organization in Spain, managing international supply chain standards including GTIN/EAN-13 barcodes, GS1-128, GS1 DataMatrix, QR codes, EDI (Electronic Data Interchange), and GDSN (Global Data Synchronization Network). With more than 35,000 member companies, AECOC operates as a multisectoral association spanning FMCG (Gran Consumo), HORECA, Health, DIY (Ferretería y Bricolaje), and consumer electronics, bringing together producers, manufacturers, logistics operators, and distributors under a unified standards infrastructure.

The association runs an interconnected platform portfolio covering the full supply chain: AECOC MEDIA (product content exchange for 175,000+ products across 6,500+ manufacturers/distributors), AECOC EDI (electronic document exchange for SMEs), AECOC ESCAN QR (digital labeling used by 1,300+ companies), AECOC TRANSP (carrier homologation across 3,000+ verified transporters), AECOC Huella de Carbono (Scope 1-3 GHG emissions data exchange), AECOC Packaging (packaging data for EPR compliance), and AECOC DATA (GDSN-certified datapool). The core technology stack emphasizes standards-based interoperability and includes integration capabilities via XML, JSON, CSV, XLSX, and GDSN protocols, with a verified carrier database and product information manager (GIP).

AECOC's business model combines membership fees with tiered service subscriptions priced by company turnover and product volume, supplemented by revenue from industry congresses, training programs (€180-€335 per course), consulting/implementation services, and benchmarking studies. Distribution is primarily digital self-service across Spain, with inside-sales support and dedicated account managers for enterprise clients. Revenue mechanics include freemium tiers for SMEs (e.g., free EDI up to 600 messages/year) to broaden the long tail, while large enterprise members across food & beverage (Nestlé, Unilever, Danone, Mahou, Freixenet), retail (Mercadona, Carrefour, El Corte Inglés, DIA, Alcampo), logistics (DHL, STEF, XPO), and personal care (L'Oréal) anchor the high end.

Name

AECOC

Legal name

Asociación Española de Codificación Comercial

Website

https://aecoc.es

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

AECOC is a Spanish non-profit business association and sole GS1 representative managing barcode, EDI, and GDSN supply chain standards for 35,000+ member companies across FMCG, retail, health, logistics, and consumer electronics in Spain.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Supply Chain Standards & Data Exchange

NAICS

Management of Companies and Enterprises (551), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518), Packaging and Labeling Services (561910)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Corporate Governance, Entity Management & Board Management (BPAEAPAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Supply Chain (Scope 3) Emissions & Supplier Engagement Platforms (EUABAEAE), Sanctions, Embargo & Export Controls (EAR/ITAR) Compliance Tools (TLAEAOAI), Audit-Ready Controls, Assurance & Compliance Workflow Tools (CSRD/SEC/ISSB) (EUABAEAG)

Keywords

• GS1 standards management
• Supply chain data exchange
• Barcode issuance services
• Electronic data interchange
• Product information synchronization

Headquarters

HQ city

Barcelona

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

AECOC manages and disseminates GS1 supply chain standards in Spain (barcodes such as EAN-13, GS1-128, GS1 DataMatrix, and QR codes) and operates a portfolio of digital platforms — AECOC EDI, AECOC MEDIA, AECOC ESCAN QR, AECOC TRANSP, AECOC Huella de Carbono, AECOC Packaging, and AECOC DATA (GDSN datapool) — that enable manufacturers and distributors to exchange product information, electronic documents, carbon footprint data, packaging data, and carrier homologation records. The association also delivers consulting/implementation services, training programs, industry congresses, and innovation initiatives to its 35,000+ member companies across FMCG, HORECA, health, DIY, and consumer electronics sectors.

Product overview

AECOC is a Spanish association of manufacturers and distributors with over 35,000 member companies, acting as the GS1 Spain member organization. The association offers a comprehensive portfolio of interconnected services organized around GS1 standards for supply chain identification, traceability, and data exchange. The core offerings include: ESTÁNDARES GS1 (barcode codes, EDI, GDSN data synchronization), AECOC ESCAN QR (digital labeling via QR codes for regulatory compliance), AECOC EDI (electronic document exchange), AECOC MEDIA (product information exchange), AECOC DATA (GDSN datapool), AECOC TRANSP (transport document management), AECOC Huella de Carbono (carbon footprint data), and AECOC Packaging (packaging data). Supporting services include consulting/implementation, training programs, innovation initiatives, food waste prevention, and market research. The ecosystem serves multiple sectors including food & beverage, healthcare, DIY, HORECA, and consumer electronics.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AECOC MEDIA: Digital content exchange platform for the point of sale enabling manufacturers and distributors to share images, descriptive and commercial information, normative data, videos and digital assets.
• AECOC EDI
• AECOC ESCAN QR
• AECOC TRANSP
• AECOC TRADE
• AECOC Huella de Carbono
• AECOC Packaging

Products and services

• AECOC Estándares GS1 Core standards service providing GS1 barcode codes (GTIN, EAN-13), GS1-128 labeling, EDI, GDSN data synchronization, and GLN location identification for product identification and supply chain management, sold to manufacturers and distributors in Spain.
• AECOC EDI Solution for the electronic exchange of commercial documents (purchase orders, invoices, delivery notes) between manufacturers and distributors, based on GS1 standards. Free for SMEs generating up to 600 EDI messages per year.
• AECOC MEDIA Digital content exchange platform where food and DPH (drogería y perfumería) manufacturers and distributors share product images, descriptions, regulatory data, videos, and digital assets for point of sale. Covers 175,000+ products with 15,000 monthly updates from 5,600+ manufacturers, with XML/JSON/CSV/XLSX and Direct2Sale integrations.
• AECOC ESCAN QR Digital labeling solution that uses GS1-compliant QR codes to deliver product information to consumers for regulatory compliance (wine labeling under EU Regulation 2021/2117, spirits self-regulation, environmental labeling) and marketing purposes. Supports all EU official languages plus co-official Spanish languages and is used by 1,300+ companies.
• AECOC DATA (GDSN Datapool) GDSN-certified data pool service that enables global product data synchronization between trading partners using GTIN and GLN identifiers.
• AECOC TRANSP Supplier homologation and document management platform that enables shippers and carriers to share documents, verify approved transporters, and track real-time compliance status. Provides access to 3,000+ verified carriers.
• AECOC Huella de Carbono Collaborative platform that connects companies to exchange greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions data — Scope 1, 2, and 3 — along with decarbonization plans, reduction objectives, and historical emissions data based on international methodologies.
• AECOC Packaging Platform for exchanging packaging and containers data (domestic, commercial, and industrial) across the supply chain to support Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) compliance and SCRAP declarations.
• AECOC Trade Online directory for searching companies and products within the AECOC network, enabling discovery of supply chain partners and product listings.
• Verificado por GS1 (Verified by GS1) Service that verifies barcode authenticity and validity against the GS1 global database to prevent barcode fraud.
• Consultoría e Implantación GS1 Customized consulting and implementation services covering GS1 standards, GS1-128 logistics labeling (with ISO 15416 quality certification), traceability systems, quality assurance, and process review for supply chain optimization.
• Formación y Cursos Training programs including courses, webinars, international trainings, in-company training, and thematic sessions on GS1 standards, UDI medical device identification, barcode verification, category management, and regulatory compliance (e.g., UDI course €180-€335).
• AECOC Innovation Hub Innovation platform that connects manufacturers and distributors with technology providers and startups to drive supply chain innovation.
• Lean & Green España Sustainability program supporting supply chain decarbonization and environmental impact reduction for AECOC members.
• AECOC Prevención del Desperdicio Alimentario Platform that helps companies comply with food waste regulations, improve food management practices, and reduce waste across the supply chain.
• Retail Knowledge Market research and insights service providing data on retail trends and consumer behavior for AECOC member companies.
• AECOC Benchmarking Business performance benchmarking service allowing AECOC member companies to compare operational KPIs against sector peers.
• AECOC Shopperview Buyer profile research service that analyzes consumer shopping behavior and preferences for AECOC members.

Quantifiable outcome

• 35,000+ companies connected through shared standards and platforms
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers26 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability1 record

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• GS1coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 April 2026AECOC serves as the official GS1 Spain representative, managing GS1 international standards including GTIN, GLN, SSCC, GS1-128, GS1 DataMatrix, QR codes, GDSN, and EDI. GS1 is a not-for-profit global organization that develops and maintains standards for product identification and electronic data interchange used in supply chains worldwide.
• AINIAminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 December 2025AINIA is a technology center that co-organizes MeetingPack 2026 with AECOC and AIMPLAS, focused on innovative barrier packaging solutions for the circular economy.
• AIMPLASminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 December 2025AIMPLAS is a technology center that co-organizes MeetingPack 2026 with AECOC and AINIA, focused on innovative barrier packaging solutions for the circular economy.
• ESPIRITUOSOS ESPAÑAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2023ESPIRITUOSOS ESPAÑA (Spanish Federation of Spirits) represents 100% of Spain's spirit producer and distributor sector. AECOC developed AECOC ESCAN QR tool together with ESPIRITUOSOS ESPAÑA to help the sector comply with the EU self-regulation framework for beverage labeling via QR codes.
• Spirits EuropecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2019Spirits Europe signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in June 2019, committing the European spirits sector to voluntarily provide nutritional information and ingredient listings to consumers via QR codes. AECOC supports member compliance with this self-regulation framework.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/aecoc_es
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCg1mBTloqVWBeijPeaEC1og
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aecoc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about AECOC