Identical Adoption of GS1 Standards as Australian Standards 

Action: Strengthening Australia’s Data and Digital Infrastructure Through Global Alignment 

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Overview / Executive Summary 

GS1 Australia is working with Standards Australia to adopt global supply chain standards as Australian Standards, ensuring consistent, internationally aligned approaches to supply chain efficiency, traceability, and digital innovation. This process supports public trust, reduces duplication, and strengthens the foundation of Australia’s digital economy.  Most GS1 Standards are now recognised in Australia and New Zealand as national standards

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Background / Context 

As digital supply chains expand, the need for trusted, interoperable standards becomes critical. To support this, GS1 Australia has collaborated with Standards Australia through an “Identical Adoption” process, enabling global GS1 standards to be recognised as national standards without modification. This approach ensures alignment with ISO and supports government, industry, and conformity bodies with consistent reference points for regulation, policy, and technology integration. 

🔗 GS1 Australia – Identical Adoption Overview

🔗 Standards Australia – How Standards Are Developed

Objectives 
  • Formalise GS1 standards as national Australian Standards through identical adoption 

  • Support policy, regulation, and procurement with consistent national data standards 

  • Strengthen links between global supply chain standards and local trust frameworks 

Approach / Implementation 
  • GS1 Australia participates in the Standards Australia adoption process under international alignment principles 

  • GS1 standards are developed globally via an open, consensus-based process governed by ISO/IEC principles 

  • Selected GS1 standards (e.g., GTIN, GLN, SSCC, barcode symbologies) are formally adopted in Australia as national standards 

  • The identical adoption process ensures technical integrity while reducing duplication and administrative burden 

🔗 GS1 Global Standards Development Process

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Outcomes / Impact 
  • Australian businesses and regulators can reference globally accepted standards with national authority 

  • Reduced compliance cost and complexity in regulated and export-facing sectors 

  • Strengthened infrastructure for digital trade, traceability, and product conformity 

  • Supports broader policy goals including interoperability, security, and resilience 

Lessons Learned / Insights 
  • “Identical adoption” offers a pragmatic bridge between local needs and global consistency 

  • GS1 standards, already aligned with many ISO standards, can be integrated without additional modification 

  • Ongoing engagement with the conformity community ensures that standards remain relevant, understood, and supported 

📄 GS1–ISO Alignment Summary (PDF) (not sure if right)

Next Steps / Future Plans 
  • GS1 Australia seeks to formalise partnerships with key conformity and standards organisations (e.g., NATA, JAS-ANZ, NMI, Standards Australia) 

  • Continued advocacy for policy and regulatory use of Australian Standards based on GS1 global standards 

  • Extension of digital identifiers and trust infrastructure across new priority sectors 

Partners / Stakeholders 
  • Standards Australia – National standards body overseeing adoption process 

  • GS1 Global and GS1 Australia – Originators and managers of global supply chain standards 

  • Conformity Assessment Community – Including NATA, JAS-ANZ, NMI 

  • Australian Government – Policy and regulatory agencies in trade, industry, environment, and health 

Consultation > Contact us
For More Information - Contact Us

GS1 Public Policy & Standards Teams 
📧 publicpolicy@gs1au.org

+613 9558 9559 or 1300 BARCODE