Identical Adoption of GS1 Standards as Australian Standards
Action: Strengthening Australia’s Data and Digital Infrastructure Through Global Alignment
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.
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.
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
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
For More Information - Contact Us
GS1 Public Policy & Standards Teams
📧 publicpolicy@gs1au.org