Application Identifiers for a GS1 Digital Link URI

Ryan Hayes Ryan Hayes

In a GS1 Digital Link, Application Identifiers (AIs) are used to encode various types of information, such as product identification, batch numbers, expiration dates, and more. Each AI has a specific meaning and format, which allows for the flexible encoding of relevant data in a single URI.

Here's a breakdown of some common AIs you might use in a GS1 Digital Link URI:

1. Product Identification

  • GTIN (01): The Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) is the most common AI and is used to uniquely identify products.
    • Format: 01/09501101530004
    • Description: 14-digit number that uniquely identifies a product.

2. Batch and Serial Numbers

  • Batch/Lot Number (10): Identifies the batch or lot in which a product was manufactured.
    • Format: 10/ABC123
    • Description: Alphanumeric code representing the batch number.
  • Serial Number (21): Uniquely identifies an individual item within a batch.
    • Format: 21/XYZ789
    • Description: Alphanumeric serial number.
  • Production Date (11): Indicates the date of production.
    • Format: 11/220101
    • Description: Date in YYMMDD format.

3. Expiration and Manufacturing Dates

  • Expiration Date (17): Indicates the expiration date of a product.
    • Format: 17/240101
    • Description: Date in YYMMDD format.
  • Best Before Date (15): Indicates the best before date.
    • Format: 15/240101
    • Description: Date in YYMMDD format.

4. Quantity and Measures

  • Net Weight (310n): Represents the net weight of the product.
    • Format: 3103/000150 (where 3 denotes kilograms with 3 decimal places)
    • Description: Six-digit number representing weight in kilograms.
  • Quantity (30): Indicates the quantity of the trade item.
    • Format: 30/000015
    • Description: Six-digit number representing quantity.

5. Logistic and Transport Information

  • Logistic Unit Identifier (00): Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC).
    • Format: 00/123456789012345678
    • Description: 18-digit number uniquely identifying a logistic unit.
  • Container Number (37): Specifies the number of units contained in a logistic unit.
    • Format: 37/150
    • Description: Number representing the count of contained units.

6. Additional Product Information

  • Product Variant (20): Differentiates variants of a product.
    • Format: 20/01
    • Description: Two-digit code representing the variant.
  • Customer Part Number (240): A part number specified by the customer.
    • Format: 240/PN12345
    • Description: Alphanumeric code representing a part number.

7. Location and Identification

  • Global Location Number (414): Identifies a physical location.
    • Format: 414/1234567890123
    • Description: 13-digit number representing a location.
  • Global Service Relation Number (8017): Identifies a service relation.
    • Format: 8017/123456789012345
    • Description: 15-digit number representing a service relation.

8. Coupons and Promotions

  • Coupon Code (8110): Represents a coupon code.
    • Format: 8110/123456
    • Description: Alphanumeric coupon code.

9. Pharmaceutical and Healthcare

  • National Healthcare Reimbursement Number (710): Used in the healthcare sector.
    • Format: 710/123456789
    • Description: Numeric code related to healthcare reimbursement.
  • Serial Number (21): Often used in pharmaceuticals to track individual units.
    • Format: 21/ABC123

10. Custom AIs and Extensions

  • Custom AIs (9n): Custom application identifiers can be used for specific needs, usually starting with 9.
    • Format: 9n/...
    • Description: Custom-defined, used for specific business needs.

Full List of Application Identifiers

The examples above cover some of the most commonly used AIs, but the full list includes many more AIs for different purposes, such as:

  • Packaging information
  • Country of origin
  • Returnable asset information
  • Financial information

For the complete and official list of AIs, you should refer to the GS1 General Specifications, which provides detailed descriptions and formats for all AIs.

 

Structuring a GS1 Digital Link with Multiple AIs

You can combine multiple AIs within a single GS1 Digital Link URI to provide comprehensive product information.

Example of a complex URI:

https://example.com/01/09501101530004/10/ABC123/17/240101/21/XYZ789/3103/000150

This URI encodes:

  • GTIN (01)
  • Batch number (10)
  • Expiration date (17)
  • Serial number (21)
  • Net weight (3103)

This flexibility allows businesses to provide detailed product data within a single link, improving traceability, compliance, and consumer transparency.