Asociación GS UNO Costa Rica

What Asociación GS UNO Costa Rica does

Asociación GS UNO Costa Rica (GS1 Costa Rica) is the Costa Rican member organization of the global GS1 federation, founded in 1994 and operating as a non-profit association headquartered in San José / Santo Domingo de Heredia with approximately 35 employees. The organization issues and administers GS1 identification codes — most prominently GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) for products and GLN (Global Location Number) for locations — and operates 12 proprietary identification keys covering assets, shipments, documents, coupons, and service relations. Its technology stack is the global GS1 standards framework, delivered through proprietary platforms including GS1 Activate (24/7 barcode number generation and product information management), the Global Product Registry, a physical Data Quality Laboratory, the Electronic Catalogue (GDSN for multi-trading-partner data synchronization), Verified by GS1, GS1 Digital Link (2D barcode–to-web routing), and the GS1 Traceability Framework built on EPCIS event data.

The business model is membership-based, with four tiers (Estándares, GLN, Servicios, Colaboradores) and dynamically priced annual fees that scale with each company's economic profile. Revenue is supplemented by fee-based barcode certification and verification (₡10K–20K + IVA per session), the Autogestor de Certificaciones Institucionales accreditation program (₡150K–375K + IVA), Academia GS1 training courses (₡30K per course; ₡360K for the full 10-module program), and advisory services covering inventory management, traceability, slotting, process optimization, e-commerce standards, and UDI compliance for medical devices. The customer base spans retailers (Walmart, Automercado, Megasuper, PriceSmart, Pequeño Mundo, Unicomer), consumer goods manufacturers (Nestlé, Unilever, Mondelez, Kimberly-Clark, Bimbo, FEMSA, Grupo Numar), healthcare and government institutions (CCSS, INS, Meditek, Biocientífica, DIPO), and agroindustrial and logistics firms (Bridgestone, Gessa, El Colono, Pozuelo, Pops, El Arreo).

Go-to-market mixes a self-service digital onboarding flow (formularios.gs1cr.org), field sales via dedicated account executives for enterprise accounts, and direct advisory booked through Outlook. Distribution is overwhelmingly domestic Costa Rica, with cross-border reach available through the global GS1 federation (116 countries, 2M+ member companies, 6B daily scans). The company has no external funding, no M&A activity, and operates under a hierarchical franchise relationship with GS1 AISBL (Brussels) as its global parent.

Name

Asociación GS UNO Costa Rica

Legal name

Asociación GS UNO Costa Rica

Website

https://gs1cr.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Asociación GS UNO Costa Rica is a non-profit member organization of the global GS1 federation that issues GTIN and GLN identification codes, barcode certification, and supply chain data services to Costa Rican manufacturers, retailers, healthcare providers, and government institutions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Supply Chain Standards and Product Identification Services

NAICS

Custom Computer Programming Services (541511)

SIC

Services-Management Services (8741)

akta.pro primary industry

ITSM Governance, Compliance & Audit Readiness (BPAEAJAM)

Keywords

• Barcode identification standards
• Product data synchronization
• Supply chain traceability
• GTIN and GLN codes
• Retail intelligence services

Headquarters

HQ city

San José

HQ country

Costa Rica

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Annual Membership Fees: GS1 Costa Rica's primary revenue stream is annual membership fees paid by companies requiring GS1 identification codes (barcodes). Membership is tiered: Estándares (barcode manufacturers), GLN (retailers/distributors), Servicios (importers), and Colaboradores (technology providers). Fees are dynamic and vary annually based on the company's economic reality. New members submit financial documents to determine pricing.
2. Barcode Certification and Verification Services: Revenue from barcode certification services where GS1 verifies print quality, structure, placement, and contrast of barcodes on product packaging. Affiliated companies pay ₡10,000 + IVA per certification (up to 10 labels); reprints/corrections ₡5,000 + IVA each. External companies pay ₡20,000 + IVA and ₡10,000 + IVA respectively. Also includes the Autogestor de Certificaciones Institucionales accreditation program.
3. Training and Education (Academia GS1): Revenue from paid training programs, seminars, and workshops. Individual courses for external participants cost ₡30,000 + IVA. The full 10-module Programa de Desarrollo Gerencial de Cadena de Valor costs ₡360,000 + IVA (or ₡60,000 per module). Members receive free access to certain courses. Programs are delivered virtually (synchronous/asynchronous) and in-person.
4. Advisory and Consulting Services: Fee-based advisory engagements covering inventory management, traceability implementation, slotting and sequencing, process optimization, e-commerce standards, and data analytics. Specialized advisory for UDI (Unique Device Identification) compliance for medical device companies. Services offered alongside free diagnostic sessions.
5. Institutional Certification Accreditation (Autogestor): Accreditation fees for the Autogestor de Certificaciones Institucionales program, which allows qualified companies to self-generate institutional barcode certifications. GS1 members pay ₡150,000 + IVA for initial accreditation (6-month validity) and annual renewal at ₡200,000 + IVA. External companies pay ₡300,000 + IVA initially.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Asociación GS UNO Costa Rica issues GS1 identification keys (GTIN, GLN, SSCC, and nine others) and operates the GS1 Standards System in Costa Rica, encompassing barcode generation via the Activate platform, master data synchronization through GDSN, on-site Data Quality Laboratory validation, traceability and inventory management advisory, training (Academia GS1), and barcode certification and institutional accreditation. Its offerings are delivered through annual membership programs (Estándares, GLN, Servicios, Colaboradores) plus fee-based services and consulting, serving retail, healthcare, logistics, agroindustrial, and government sectors.

Product overview

Asociación GS UNO Costa Rica operates the GS1 Standards System in Costa Rica, a comprehensive platform for supply chain digitalization built around globally standardized identification keys and barcode technologies. The core offering is the Sistema GS1, which provides unique identification standards (GTIN, GLN, SSCC, and 9 additional identification keys) for products, locations, assets, and documents. The platform integrates four key service pillars: (1) Product Registration via Registro Global de Productos encompassing GS1 Activate for barcode generation, Calidad de Datos for data validation, Catálogo Electrónico for GDSN-based data sharing, and Verified by GS1; (2) Code Certifications including barcode quality verification and Autogestor de Certificaciones Institucionales accreditation; (3) Advisory Services including Standards Advisory (inventory, traceability, process optimization, slotting, e-commerce), Data Analytics Advisory (Retail Intelligence, Tienda Perfecta, Digital Link), and GS1 Academy for training; and (4) Membership providing company prefix allocation and Activate platform access. The ecosystem supports 1D barcodes (EAN-13, UPC-A, ITF-14, GS1-128, GS1 DataBar), 2D codes (GS1 DataMatrix, GS1 QR), and RFID technology, serving Retail, Healthcare, Logistics, and Government sectors across Costa Rica.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• GS1 Digital Link: Digital Link enables products to be connected to the web through 2D barcodes, allowing consumers to access additional product information via smartphone scanning.
• GS1 Forecast
• Tienda Perfecta
• Academia GS1
• Verified by GS1

Products and services

• Sistema GS1 (GS1 Standards System) Foundational standards system that enables unique identification, capture, and sharing of product, location, and asset data across supply chains using globally standardized identification keys (GTIN, GLN, SSCC, and others) and barcode symbologies. Used by brand owners, retailers, healthcare providers, and logistics companies in Costa Rica.
• Membresía GS1 (GS1 Membership) Annual membership program providing companies with GS1 company prefix/identifier, access to the Activate platform, and eligibility for GS1 services including barcode allocation, training, and certifications. Tiered into Estándares (barcode manufacturers), GLN (retailers/distributors), Servicios (importers), and Colaboradores (technology providers).
• GS1 Activate Cloud-based platform for generating and managing barcode numbers (GTINs) and symbols, available 24/7. Members can create product numbering, download barcode images in PDF/EPS format, and manage basic product information including brand, variants, content, and GPC classification. Used by GS1 member companies globally.
• Servicio de Calidad de Datos (Data Quality Service) Laboratory service validating product data accuracy through physical measurement, weighing, photography, and standardized attribute certification. Ensures data is precise, consistent, and reliable for inventory management and supply chain planning. Available free for affiliated members.
• Servicio de Catálogo Electrónico (Electronic Catalog Service / GDSN) Technology tool enabling suppliers and brand owners to upload and share standardized product data with trading partners. Supports over 40 product attributes and provides synchronized data sharing through the GS1 GDSN network. Used by Nestlé, Unilever, Mondelez, Kimberly-Clark, Bimbo, and Walmart, among others.
• Verified by GS1 Validation service enabling retailers and marketplaces to verify basic product information provided by brand owners, ensuring identification validity and data reliability for trusted commerce.
• Servicio de Certificaciones y Verificaciones de Códigos (Barcode Certification Service) Certification service verifying barcode print quality, structure, placement, and substrate contrast to ensure scannability by retail scanners throughout the supply chain. Includes Autogestor de Certificaciones Institucionales accreditation for self-certified companies. Pricing: ₡10,000+IVA per session (members, up to 10 labels); ₡20,000+IVA (external).
• Academia GS1 (GS1 Academy) Training and education platform offering virtual and in-person courses on GS1 standards, barcode implementation, product identity, supply chain management, and professional development programs including certificates and international seminars. Individual courses ₡30,000+IVA; full 10-module program ₡360,000+IVA. Members receive free access to most courses.
• Servicio de Asesoría en Gestión de Trazabilidad (Traceability Management Advisory) Advisory service for defining, optimizing, and implementing traceability management systems. Enables companies to track product movement across supply chains with standardized data capture and bi-directional traceability for recalls and returns. Used by El Colono, Pozuelo, Bridgestone, Gessa, and Meditek among others.
• Servicio de Asesoría con Estándares GS1 (Standards Advisory) Comprehensive advisory services including inventory management, traceability implementation, process flow optimization, and slotting/sequencing to help companies integrate GS1 standards into their digital transformation. Includes free diagnostic sessions booked via Outlook.
• GS1 Digital Link Service enabling 2D barcode standards (QR Code, GS1 DataMatrix) to connect physical products to digital information. Transforms packaging into multimedia tools for consumer engagement, brand storytelling, and supply chain transparency. Includes the GS1 Resolver platform for multi-source data routing.
• Servicio de Tienda Perfecta (Perfect Store Service) Point-of-sale execution evaluation service comprising modules for out-of-stock studies (FMG/OSA), shelf share analysis (SOS/SOE), planogram compliance studies, and price verification. Used by brand owners and retailers to optimize in-store execution.
• Servicio de Inteligencia Retail (Retail Intelligence) Analytics service providing brand owners and retailers with transaction data processing and analysis to maximize brand profitability across modern and traditional channels through strategic commercial planning.
• Comprobantes Electrónicos (Electronic Invoicing) Electronic document service for sending invoices to Costa Rica's Ministry of Hacienda and customers via PDF and XML formats, with real-time validation and compliance with Costa Rican tax regulations. Includes advisory and audit services.
• GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) Numeric identifier (8, 12, 13, or 14 digits) for uniquely identifying commercial products worldwide, enabling barcode generation for unit items, cases, pallets, and promotions. Used by brand owners and manufacturers requiring unique product identification.
• GLN (Global Location Number) 13-digit numeric identifier for uniquely identifying physical, legal, or functional locations of a company for precise shipping and billing address management. Used by retail chains, distributors, and supply chain operators.
• SSCC (Serial Shipping Container Code) Unique identifier for logistic units such as containers, boxes, and pallets in the supply chain, enabling shipment tracking and management. Used by logistics providers and distributors.
• GS1 Forecast Data analytics and retail intelligence platform that helps businesses make better decisions based on sales and market data for demand planning and inventory optimization.

Quantifiable outcome

• 30-60% reduction in data exchange effort
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers28 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• GS1 AISBL (Global)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGS1 AISBL is the global parent organization of the GS1 system, headquartered in Brussels, Belgium. GS1 Costa Rica operates as the local member organization, licensed to issue GS1 identification codes (GTIN, GLN, etc.) and deliver GS1 standards services in Costa Rica. The relationship is hierarchical and franchise-like: GS1 Costa Rica (Asociación GS UNO Costa Rica) is a member of the global GS1 federation, using GS1's standards, platforms (Activate, GDSN, EPCIS), and brand in exchange for adherence to global standards and operational protocols.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• GS1 Guatemala: GS1 member organization in Guatemala, a smaller Central American economy. Closest geographic and market-size peer to GS1 Costa Rica, useful for benchmarking cost structure and service portfolio of a smaller local MO.

Emerging players

• TraceLink: Pharmaceutical serialization and traceability platform supporting DSCSA, EU FMD, and other regulatory mandates. Comparable to GS1 Costa Rica's healthcare traceability advisory as an alternative technology stack for regulated life-sciences companies.

Direct peers

• 1WorldSync: Provider of GDSN-based product content synchronization and product information management, licensed by GS1. Directly competes with GS1's Electronic Catalogue value proposition for brand owners and retailers managing product master data.
• GS1 Colombia: GS1 member organization in Colombia offering comparable barcode, traceability, and data synchronization services. Closely comparable in operating profile and regional economic context to GS1 Costa Rica.
• GS1 Mexico: Local GS1 member organization serving Mexico, issuing GTIN, GLN, and related standards. Directly comparable as a fellow Latin American GS1 federation licensee with similar membership tiers, certification services, and advisory offerings targeted at retail, healthcare, and agroindustrial verticals.
• GS1 Brasil: Brazilian GS1 member organization with a similar product mix — barcode issuance, GDSN, advisory, and training — at greater scale. Strongest direct comparable for service portfolio breadth and pricing structure across Latin America.
• GS1 Argentina: Argentine GS1 member organization with similar standards-based service offerings (GTIN issuance, GDSN, advisory). Useful comparable for understanding how a GS1 MO operates in a more volatile Latin American economy.

Broad incumbents

• Zebra Technologies: Provider of barcode scanners, printers, RFID, and enterprise mobility hardware. Comparable as the dominant hardware ecosystem player whose technology is required to activate GS1 barcodes end-to-end.
• Blue Yonder: Supply chain planning and execution platform (formerly JDA, now part of Panasonic). Adjacent incumbent in the broader supply chain digitization space where GS1 Costa Rica competes for advisory and traceability budgets.
• Avery Dennison: Global manufacturer of pressure-sensitive labels, RFID inlays, and barcode printing solutions. Comparable as an incumbent in the broader barcode and product identification ecosystem that GS1 Costa Rica's members rely on for hardware/supplies.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/gs1costarica
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/asociaci-n-gs-uno-costa-rica
• Instagraminstagram.com/gs1costarica

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Asociación GS UNO Costa Rica