Identify
The foundation of the entire GS1 System. A universal language of unique identifiers that gives every product, location, and asset a distinct digital identity recognized across 116+ countries.
One Product. One Number. Recognized Everywhere.
In today's interconnected economy, every product needs a universally recognized identity. GS1 Identification Keys provide that foundation — assigning a unique, globally unambiguous number to every trade item, logistics unit, location, and service relationship.
Within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, GS1 identification is not just a best practice — it is a regulatory requirement for sectors including pharmaceuticals (SFDA), food safety, and retail. By adopting GS1 Keys, Saudi businesses unlock seamless access to domestic and international markets.
Each key is structured to prevent duplication across the entire global supply chain, ensuring that whether a product is scanned in Riyadh, Rotterdam, or Rio de Janeiro, the same accurate information is retrieved instantly.
Key Components
Global Trade Item Number
The world's most widely used product identifier. Every retail product, from a bottle of water to a luxury watch, carries a GTIN encoded in its barcode. It is mandatory for listing on Amazon, Noon, and every major Saudi retailer.
Global Location Number
A 13-digit key that uniquely identifies physical locations (warehouses, stores, hospitals) and legal entities (companies, departments). GLN enables pinpoint accuracy in 'ship-to' and 'bill-to' processes across the Kingdom's logistics network.
Serial Shipping Container Code
Think of the SSCC as a digital license plate for every pallet, crate, or shipping container. It enables complete traceability of logistics units from the factory floor in Jubail to the retail shelf in Jeddah — and beyond to global export destinations.
Global Service Relation Number
Identifies the relationship between a service provider and a recipient. In KSA's healthcare sector, the GSRN is used to link patients to their medical records, prescriptions, and treatment histories across SFDA-regulated facilities.
Global Document Type Identifier
Enables unique identification of document types and individual documents. Widely used in customs automation through FASAH, corporate compliance, and administrative digitization initiatives aligned with Saudi Vision 2030.
From Registration to Global Recognition
Join GS1 Saudi Arabia
Register with GS1 KSA to receive your unique Company Prefix — the foundation of all your GS1 identification keys.
Assign Your Keys
Use your prefix to create GTINs for products, GLNs for locations, and SSCCs for shipments. Each key is globally unique.
Encode & Apply
Embed your identification keys into barcodes, QR codes, or RFID tags and apply them to products and packaging.
Trade Globally
Your products are now recognized by retailers, marketplaces, and regulatory bodies in 116+ countries worldwide.
Why Leading Saudi Businesses Choose GS1 Identification
Global Market Access
GTINs are required by Amazon, Noon, Carrefour, and every major global retailer. Without them, your products simply cannot be listed.
Regulatory Compliance
Meet SFDA, SASO, and Zakat Authority requirements. GS1 keys are the foundation of pharmaceutical serialization and food traceability mandates.
Operational Efficiency
Eliminate manual data entry errors. Automated scanning of GS1 keys reduces processing time by up to 80% in warehouses and at checkout.
Data Integrity
One source of truth. GS1 keys ensure that every partner in your supply chain references the exact same product, location, or shipment.
Consumer Confidence
Customers trust products they can verify. GS1 identification enables product authentication and anti-counterfeiting measures.
Vision 2030 Alignment
Support the Kingdom's digital transformation goals through standardized, interoperable identification across every sector of the economy.
Identification Across Every Sector
Retail & FMCG
Mandatory GTIN for every product on every shelf and every e-commerce listing.
Healthcare & Pharma
SFDA-mandated serialization using GTIN + Serial Number for drug traceability.
Logistics & Transport
SSCC enables pallet-level tracking across the Kingdom's entire logistics network.
Food & Agriculture
Farm-to-fork traceability meeting SFDA food safety regulations.
