Defence Industry
GS1 standards connect suppliers, logistics operators and defence sector organisations through standardised identification, supporting traceability and interoperability across the entire chain.
Recognised by NATO
Used for identification and traceability
Also used in the commercial environment, globally
From identifying an item to tracking a shipment
The same global standards used in commercial supply chains can create a common language between the defence industry, military organisations, suppliers and logistics operators.
Identify
Products, assets, locations and logistics units receive standardised identifiers, interpreted in the same way by all partners involved.
Mark
Barcodes and RFID technologies enable the automatic capture of identifiers.
Track
Goods and shipments can be tracked throughout the logistics chain, from the supplier to the destination.
Connect the data
Standards for electronic data exchange and data synchronisation allow the systems of different organisations to communicate in a common format.
Every element in the chain has its own identity
Products, locations, assets and logistics units all have different roles. The GS1 system provides standardised identifiers for each of them.
Products
Standardised identification of products and trade items.
Organisations and locations
Identification of companies, warehouses, logistics points and other physical or functional locations.
Logistics units
Unique identification of pallets, parcels and other logistics units throughout transport.
Assets
Identification of individual or returnable assets, wherever the operational scenario requires it.
The identifiers differ. The language stays the same: the global GS1 system.
Where do you stand in the ecosystem?
GS1 standards can connect organisations with different roles within the same flow of identification, logistics and information.
Manufacturer or supplier
Provides standardised identification of the products and assets supplied to the defence sector and ensures the automatic transmission of data to the systems relevant to commercial and logistics processes.
Logistics operator
Identify and track logistics units and shipments throughout transport and warehousing.
Organisation in the defence sector
Integrate standardised identification and data into logistics and operational processes.
Technology provider
Build interoperable solutions based on global standards for identification, data capture and data exchange.
GS1 standards in the NATO ecosystem
The trend in the modern defence industry is towards the use of civilian standards and commercial best practices to increase interoperability between organisations, suppliers and systems.
NATO recognises the use of GS1 standards in areas such as identification and traceability of goods and shipments, barcode marking, electronic information exchange and radio-frequency identification (RFID).
The use of the GS1 system is promoted through NATO Standardization Agreements (STANAGs), which support common processes among member countries.
What do GS1 standards bring to defence operations?
Interoperability
Suppliers, logistics operators and defence organisations can use the same global identification system.
Traceability
Goods, assets and shipments can be identified and tracked throughout the logistics chain.
Fewer redundant processes
Unique identification reduces the need to maintain parallel coding systems between organisations.
Automation
Barcodes, RFID and electronic data exchange reduce manual processes and the risk of error.
Supplier integration
Global standards facilitate collaboration between commercial suppliers and defence sector organisations.
Logistics visibility
Standardised data provide a more coherent view of goods and their movement through the chain.
Goods move. Data travels with them.
GS1 standards connect the physical flow of goods with the digital information required for their identification, transport and traceability.
Supplier
Physical flow
Products and assets ready for delivery
Digital flow
GTIN, GIAI/GRAI, product data
Transport
Physical flow
Pallets, parcels, shipments
Digital flow
SSCC, shipping events
Logistics centre
Physical flow
Receiving, warehousing, consolidation
Digital flow
GLN, scanning, traceability events
Destination
Physical flow
Delivery and commissioning
Digital flow
Confirmation, complete movement history
The cooperation framework
- 2003
Romania and the NATO Codification System
Government Decision no. 221 of 27 February 2003 approves the Agreement between the NATO Group of National Directors on Codification (AC/135) and the National Codification Bureau within Romania's Ministry of National Defence for affiliation to the NATO Codification System (NCS).
- 2006
The NATO–GS1 technical agreement
On 31 January 2006, the Technical Co-operation Agreement between the NATO Standardization Agency (NSA) and GS1 is signed.
- 2006
SSCC in logistics processes
In early September 2006, the United States Department of Defense (DoD) approves the use of the SSCC logistics label in relevant logistics processes, as part of the implementation of GS1 standards.
- 2007
GS1 Romania & the Ministry of National Defence
In January 2007, GS1 Romania concludes a cooperation protocol with the Ministry of National Defence, based on the NATO–GS1 technical agreement, to support the implementation of GS1 standards in the national defence sector.
Standardisation for integrated logistics
The cooperation protocol between GS1 Romania and the Ministry of National Defence aims to use global GS1 standards to support identification, traceability and interoperability in the defence sector.
Tracking & tracing
Identification and traceability based on global GS1 standards.
Civilian standards
Adoption of good logistics and commercial practices used in the civilian environment.
End-to-end traceability
Visibility throughout the service, transport and supply chain.
Integrated logistics
Support for resource management information systems and integrated logistics processes.
Where do you start?
Implementation starts with what needs to be identified and the processes through which information must flow between organisations.
Define
Define what needs to be identified: products, assets, locations or logistics units.
Identify
Choose the appropriate GS1 identifiers for each element and process.
Mark
Implement barcodes, logistics labels or RFID, depending on the operational scenario.
Connect
Integrate data exchange and traceability between the systems and organisations involved.
Expand
Scale the implementation to suppliers, partners and other logistics processes.
Not sure where to start?
Talk to a GS1 specialistGS1 standards in the defence sector
Answers to the most important questions about identification, logistics and interoperability.
Do you have an identification or traceability project in the defence sector?
The GS1 Romania team can help you identify the right standards and identifiers for the needs of your organisation and your partners.