GS1 is the standards organization behind the product identification numbers used for bar codes seen on products from most industries. GS1 launched a new website offering the ability to validate product and company information. In the healthcare industry, this is important for validating the identification of medical devices that have been assigned a GTIN-14 as the Device Identifier.
The new website, called Verified by GS1, is available to view now and replaces the old GEPIR website as of December 31, 2023. The enhanced database of GS1 identifiers provides a better user experience searching for product, location, and company information and provides more accurate and complete data than that available in GEPIR.
Verified by GS1 provides the ability to verify products by searching a product’s GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) in various formats, such as the GTIN-12 (normally associated with a bar code) and the GTIN-14 (an identification number that may be embedded in the UDI (Unique Device Identifier)). This verification process requires the barcode number or the GTIN to search the GS1 database. In some cases, the results provide exact product information and in other cases, the results provide only the company information that indicates the number is registered with a GS1 licensed company. In the latter case, the user will be provided with the manufacturer’s GS1 Company Prefix (license type) along with other company information.
Verified by GS1 can also be used to validate a manufacturer’s GS1 Company Prefix, which is included in the GTIN. The verification process requires the manufacturer’s name and country to find the company. If there is a match, the user will be provided with the manufacturer’s GS1 Company Prefix (license type) along with other information verifying the company’s identity.
Verified by GS1 can also be used to verify location information to help support supply chain tracking.
Using the GTIN-14 embedded in the UDI, Verified by GS1 will be an important tool in the verification process of product identification numbers assigned to medical devices. You do not need to be a member of GS1 to use Verified by GS1. PHSL recommends looking at the website and entering known information such as a GTIN-14 or a company name and country to see how they are listed in the GS1 database. PHSL can assist medical device manufacturers in obtaining a GS1 identifier needed to list their products in pricing compendia.
https://www.gs1.org/services/verified-by-gs1
Posted: December 2023