Supply Chain Management

The GTIN – the Number Behind the Barcode – Was Developed 50 Years Ago and Transformed the Global Economy

The GTIN – the Number Behind the Barcode – Was Developed 50 Years Ago and Transformed the Global Economy

GS1 US celebrated the 50th anniversary of the GTIN on March 31st, 2021. Since 1971, the GTIN has revolutionized commerce. GTIN stands for Global Trade Item Number and is the product identification number encoded into the ubiquitous UPC barcode. It has become one of the most important supply chain standards in history and a critical tool in the modern-day retail toolbelt.