GS1 Timeline

2005 February
GS1 launches worldwide

2004 August
EAN International and the Uniform Code Council (UCC) announce the launch of the global data synchronisation network (GDSN). The GDSN, conceived and supported by EAN International, the UCC and leading companies and industry groups worldwide, is a global, internet-based initiative that will enable trading partners to quickly and efficiently exchange supply chain data that is accurate, up-to-date, and compliant with universally supported EAN•UCC System standards.

2004 March
The management board of EAN International, has unanimously agreed on the global registry roadmap for EAN International. The global registry is the key feature of the global data synchronisation network.

2003 June
EAN International developed a new name, announced a new President, and Vice President, an augmented Management Board populated by top level management from blue chip companies and agreed to the latest stage in its business plan. The organisation now has all the building blocks in place to achieve its principal goal: to become respected as THE leader in global, open, multi -sector standards.

The General Assembly agreed to change the name of EAN International to GS1. The change of name fully reflects the global reach of the organisation following its expansion in November 2002 when the UCC and Electronic Commerce Council of Canada (ECCC) joined EAN International as member organisations. EAN International and the UCC will continue to be equal partners as co-managers of the global standards management process (GSMP). This process manages the EAN•UCC standards.

2003 May
EAN and the UCC announce the intent to establish a joint venture, AutoID LLC, a not–for–profit organisation that will develop and oversee commercial and technical standards for the EPC Network.

2003 February
EAN International launches the annual update (version 4.0) of the General EAN•UCC Specifications that includes a brand new section on GTIN allocation rules.

2002 December
The UCC and the ECCC join EAN International as member organisations representing North American companies, formally solidifying global reach of the EAN•UCC System.

2002 October
The UCC and the ECCC join EAN International as member organisations representing North American companies, formally solidifying global reach of the EAN•UCC System.

2002 April
The UCC and EAN International release global business message standard for CPFR.

2000 October
EAN International and the UCC announce formal plans for two global XML pilot projects.

2000 August
EAN International and the UCC announce that the RFID global tag (GTAG) program will expand the proposed UHF frequency range to increase the speed of open, standards-based RFID development around the world.

2000 July
The UCC and EAN International plan for a joint global tag (GTAG) programme to promote a supply chain-wide standard for RFID activities. EAN International and the UCC announce that the Global Commerce Initiative (GCI) has selected the EAN•UCC System as the foundation of its effort to simplify standards for retailers and consumer goods manufacturers around the world.

1999 September
The UCC announces creation of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Auto ID Research Center, with seed funding provided by the UCC, Procter & Gamble and the Gillette Company. The twenty-fifth anniversary of the universal product code (U.P.C.) is celebrated at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History.

1999 August
EAN International and the UCC announce plans for developing standards for space constrained applications, including reduced space symbology and composite symbology.

1998 November
The UCC announces the initiation of a proof-of-concept project for the development of a universal foundation for electronic commerce, called UCCnet. The UCCnet is envisioned to span all industries and geographic regions regardless of company size and offers its participants an open, standards-based internet trading community.

1998 May
The UCC and EAN International jointly announce specifications for a new class of symbology for space constrained products. Reduced space symbology and composite symbology capture more information in less space.

1997 June
The UCC announces that retailers in North America must be able to scan 13 digits by January 1, 2005. Expansion of the database to 14 digits is encouraged.

1997 May
The first joint meeting of the EAN Management Board and the UCC Board of Governors occurs in Chicago. The beginning of a new age of global standardisation is noted.

1996 June
ISO/IEC JTCI/SC31 is convened for the first time to focus on global standardisation for data carrier symbologies, data content structures, and conformance. UCC agrees to serve as Secretariat.

1996 January
Three joint projects are initiated between the EAN and the UCC: Tec-Core, App-Core, and Trans-Core.

1995 May
The UCC and EAN International form the Global Policy Committee (GPC) to advise the governing boards on global strategy and cooperation.

1993 May
The International Data and Application Standards Committee (IDASC) is formed as a joint technical committee between EAN International and the UCC, signaling a major commitment toward the global coordination of standards.

1990 October
The UCC and EAN International sign a cooperative agreement formalising their intent to co-manage global standards.

1988 October
The UCC, in coordination with EAN International, endorses Code 128 to encode supplementary information on dispatch units.

1977 February
The European Article Numbering Association is chartered in Belgium. Its EAN-13 code is developed to be fully compatible with the universal product code (U.P.C.)

1974 September
The Uniform Grocery Product Code Council becomes the Uniform Product Code Council.

1973 March
The design of a linear bar code is chosen as the universal product code (UPC) symbology. The U.S. federal government institutes new requirements for nutritional labelling on food containers. This historic event hastened the adoption of the UPC.

1972 January
The first Board of Governors meeting for the Uniform Grocery Product Code Council (UGPCC) is held in Chicago. The UGPCC will administer the new U.P.C.

1970 August
The Ad Hoc Committee on a Uniform Grocery Product Code convenes for the first time and agrees to jointly pursue a uniform grocery product identification code.

1969 September
Members of the Grocery Manufacturer´s of America (GMA) and the National Association of Food Chains meet to express a need for an "inter–industry product code."