ISO/TR 6039:2023

TECHNICAL ISO/TR
REPORT 6039
First edition
2023-06
Blockchain and distributed ledger
technologies — Identifiers of
subjects and objects for the design of
blockchain systems
Technologies des chaînes de blocs et technologies de registre
distribué — Identifiants des sujets et des objets pour la conception des
systèmes de chaînes de blocs
Reference number
© ISO 2023
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Published in Switzerland
ii
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2  Normative references . 1
3  Terms and definitions . 1
4  Considerations for the design of blockchain systems . 2
4.1 General . 2
4.2 Reference Architecture . 3
4.3 Decentralized Identifiers . 4
5  Identifiers of subjects . 5
5.1 General . 5
5.2 Identifiers of natural persons . 5
5.2.1 Public sector identifiers . 5
5.2.2 Private sector identifiers . 6
5.3 Identifiers of legal entities . 6
5.3.1 Public sector identifiers . 6
5.3.2 Private sector identifiers . 8
6  Identifiers of objects .9
6.1 Introduction . 9
6.2 Identifiers of objects used in multiple industries (“horizontals”) . 10
6.2.1 Supply chain. 10
6.2.2 Telecom .13
6.2.3 Internet . 15
6.2.4 Patents and trade marks . 16
6.2.5 Postal services . 16
6.3 Identifiers of objects used in specific industries (“verticals”) . 16
6.3.1 Logistics industry . . 16
6.3.2 Agricultural and food industry . 20
6.3.3 Financial industry . 26
6.3.4 Healthcare industry .28
6.3.5 Media industry .29
6.3.6 Electronic devices industry . 31
6.3.7 Automotive industry . 32
6.3.8 Mining industry .34
6.3.9 Chemical industry .34
6.3.10 Land administration and real estate . 35
Annex A (informative)  Identifier standards as issued by government agencies and SDOs .36
Annex B (informative)  Identifier categories .37
Annex C (informative)  List of agricultural vocabularies published by ISO .38
Bibliography .41
iii
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
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electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use
of (a) patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed
patent rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received
notice of (a) patent(s) which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are
cautioned that this may not represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent
database available at www.iso.org/patents. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all
such patent rights.
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and
expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to
the World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see
www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 307, Blockchain and distributed ledger
technologies.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.
iv
Introduction
This document, which is on the available standards and registers of identifiers of subjects and objects
issued by government agencies and standard development organizations (SDOs) (see Annex A), is
intended to support designers with the innovation process for their development of (international)
blockchain systems for multiple purposes. It also supports the interoperability of those systems
with non-blockchain systems because identifiers are mission critical building blocks of information
technology systems including the blockchain systems.
Identifiers can identify “subjects” (with rights and obligations) or “objects” (without rights and
obligations). This distinction is relevant in legal systems of any country in case at least two subjects of
the same or of multiple countries are involved.
[1]
Subclause 4.3 addresses decentralized identifiers that leverage blockchain (see W3C ). This document
is not a report on those “decentralized identifiers” standards and registers.
This document is intended to support designers of blockchain and other systems.
Identifiers issued by the public sector and used in information technology systems are mostly products
of a national history (including national legislation) and were mostly not designed for a computer age.
This historical legacy hinders the development of global standards and registers on the identification of
subjects and objects.
v
TECHNICAL REPORT ISO/TR 6039:2023(E)
Blockchain and distributed ledger technologies —
Identifiers of subjects and objects for the design of
blockchain systems
1 Scope
This document provides an overview of identifiers [and their standards and register(s)] relevant for the
design of blockchain systems and the interoperability of those systems with non-blockchain systems.
The following criteria were used for inclusion of identifiers in this document:
— Identifiers (and their standards and registers) issued by the public sector for subjects and objects
such as citizen numbers, business registration numbers or land registration numbers;
— Identifiers that are internationally recognized and fulfil one of the following criteria:
— An identifier is an international standard of an SDO (Standard Development Organization);
— An identifier is a de facto standard according to the norms of the industry involved (even if it is
not an international standard of an SDO).
— Identifiers that have relevance for DLT systems as it fulfils one of the following criteria:
— An identifier that has been used without DLT, but has proven to solve the problems of DLT
services using DLT;
— An identifier that was designed with the usage of DLT in mind from the beginning.
2  Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 22739, Blockchain and distributed ledger technologies — Vocabulary
3  Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 22739 and the following apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:// www .electropedia .org/
3.1
attribute
characteristic or property of an entity
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC 24760-1:2019, 3.1.3, modified — Example deleted.]
3.2
credential
set of data presented as evidence of a claimed or asserted identity and/or entitlements
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC 29115:2013, 3.8, modified — Note to entry deleted.]
3.3
decentralized identifier
DID
globally unique persistent identifier that does not require a centralized registration authority and is
often generated and/or registered cryptographically
[SOURCE: W3C Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs) v1.0]
3.4
decentralized identifier subject
DID subject
entity identified by a DID and described by a DID document
[SOURCE: W3C Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs) v1.0]
3.5
entity
item inside or outside an information and communication technology system such as a person,
organization, a device, a subsystem, or a group that has recognizable distinct existence
3.6
identifier
attribute or set of attributes that uniquely characterizes an identity in a domain
Note 1 to entry: An identifier can be a specifically created attribute with a value assigned to be unique within the
domain.
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC 24760-1:2019, 3.1.4, modified — Note to entry deleted.]
3.7
object
entity without rights and obligations
3.8
subject
entity with rights and obligations
3.9
verifiable credential
tamper-evident credential that has authorship that can be cryptographically verified
[SOURCE: W3C Verifiable Credentials Data Model v1.1]
4  Considerations for the design of blockchain systems
4.1 General
Designers of a blockchain system make choices for the design of their application such as:
— Which subjects will be included in the DLT service?
— Are the subjects only from one country (such as healthcare insurance) or from multiple countries
(such as for the international supply chain)?
— Are the identifiers of subjects of the public sector mandatory for the DLT service or are other options
possible (central or decentralized identifiers)?
— Which objects are planned to be included in the DLT service?
— Are the preferred identifiers standards available?
— Are the identifier data registers available and accessible?
— Do the available identifiers and attributes have the required data quality for the DLT service?
— Is the DLT system and its identifiers intended to be used with two (or more) DLT systems and/or
with non-DLT systems and/or should interoperability of the two or more systems or applications be
ensured to exchange information (data)?
An overview of subjects (natural persons and legal entities) and an overview of objects such as products,
assets, locations, documents, legal rights, and messages are included in this document. Objects are
owned by one or more subjects. In this document the object identifiers are distinguished in object
identifiers of “horizontal industries” (used by any industry) and object identifiers used by “vertical
industries” (used by a specific industry). Annex B provides an overview of identifier categories.
4.2  Reference Architecture
[6]
As specified in ISO 23257, DLT data can be classified according to its source as shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1 — Data categories from DLT stakeholder role perspective
[6]
The data sources identified here align with the six DLT roles identified in ISO 23257 as DLT subjects:
administrators, users, providers, developers, governors and auditors. Among these, administrators,
users and providers are typically the most relevant roles to use case definition. Stakeholders achieve
their aims by means of role-based interactions with the DLT system: A specific example could be the
data flows of subjects involved in the international supply chain: the exporter and its bank, the customs
of the exporter, the freight forwarders, the customs of the importer, the importer and its bank, all those
subjects need high quality identifiers of their business partners (and so the customs) involved and of
the goods that are shipped.
SOURCE: ISO/TR 3242:2022, Figure 4
Figure 2 — Off-chain/on-chain data flow model
The identifier data (and relevant attributes) of subjects and objects are the data connectors to ensure an
efficient end-to-end digital process, mostly via multiple digital ecosystems of the market participants
involved. The passing of reference identifiers in the dataflow across on-chain and off-chain systems
contributes to the immutable, enhanced trust environment of a DLT system.
Interoperability requires high quality and accurate data (including of identifiers) that are key to
correctly recording and tracking the data-related operations of stakeholders to avoid operational risks.
[7] [8]
There are many definitions of data quality. ISO 8000-8 and ISO/IEC 25012 are excellent references
for designers to review the data quality of the identifiers that they will include in their design.
4.3  Decentralized Identifiers
Designers could consider the use of decentralized identifiers for their DLT systems. In response to
regulatory differences in relation to data privacy (for natural persons identifiers, attributes and data)
and governance across global trade ecosystem, two concepts have emerged to address compliance: self-
sovereign identity management and decentralized identifiers.
Decentralized identifier is an old and established concept. Examples include using a public key or a
[10]
transformation of it as an identifier and using Universally Unique Identifier. Many addresses used in
blockchain systems, such as for cryptocurrencies fall into this category.
[1]
W3C has published a framework [Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs) of 19 July 2022] acknowledging
a need in some circumstances for a globally unique identifier that is “self-sovereign”, that is, one that
does not depend on any issuing authority and defining Decentralized identifiers (DIDs) as a new kind of
identifier that enables verifiable, decentralized identity.
For the design process, a clear view of which subjects and objects is relevant to consider in the DLT
system and if all market participants involved will be committed to use a DLT system with decentralized
identifiers. The designers need also to understand if the DLT system is a stand-alone system or needs to
interact with other DLT systems and/or with non-DLT systems of one or more market participants. See
Figure 2 where interoperating DLT and non-DLT systems can be usefully modelled.
Decentralized identifiers are often used in a verifiable credential and are associated with subjects such
that the verifiable credential can be easily ported from the repository to another without the need to
reissue the credential. W3C has defined that anything can be a DID subject: person, group, organization,
physical thing, digital thing, logical thing, etc.”
The verification of “identifiers (and their attributes)” contained in verifiable credentials with the
registers involved is mission critical to ensure the identification of subjects and objects.
This document does not have verifiable credentials in its scope but it lists categories of identifiers and
attributes that can be contained as claims in verifiable credentials.
5  Identifiers of subjects
5.1 General
[12]
The United Nations members are sovereign states. Countries stipulate in their legislation how
identifiers for their citizens and legal entities are issued and who is allowed to use those identifiers
for which public or private purpose. The government agencies involved that issue the identifiers are
regarded the authoritative source of the identifiers and their attributes.
Subjects are entities with rights and obligations according to the legislation of the country involved.
There are two categories of subjects in countries: natural persons and legal entities for which
government agencies issue unique identifiers.
Governments agencies use their (unique) identifiers (and attributes) for the communication with their
citizens for their services and for e-government services inclusive for their social benefits programs.
For communication with legal entities, government agencies use the identifier (and attributes) issued
by the business register of their jurisdiction. Government agencies sometimes use additional identifiers
for specific functions such as tax numbers, VAT numbers, etc. Government identifiers are in general an
integral part of the authentication process for citizens and legal entities to get access to e-government
services.
Businesses have their own onboarding process for their customers, suppliers and partners and use
a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system with identifiers. The identifier is used for many
business processes such as the invoicing process, reconciliation of payments data, access to helpdesks,
loyalty schemes and the authentication of the customers, suppliers and partners to specific e-commerce
or e-service of the business involved. In several industries, an industry identifier is used for joint
business processes often based on a rulebook, master agreement and/or a common platform.
This clause gives an overview of public and private identifiers (and attributes) designers could consider
to use for their CRM systems and applications
5.2  Identifiers of natural persons
5.2.1  Public sector identifiers
5.2.1.1 National identity number
The United Nations mention that the civil registration systems for the citizens of a jurisdiction have
three basic functions:
1) A legal and administrative function;
2) A statistical function;
3) The identity management function.
The identity management function assumes that civil registration provides accurate input into an
identity management systems or population register. The identity management system also services a
legal and identity function. The legal and administrative function of the provision of credentials enable
individuals to prove their identity.
The United Nations stresses that “Everyone has the right to be recognized as a person before the law, as
[13]
enshrined in Article 6 of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights” .
The national identification number is used by government agencies as a means of tracking their citizens,
permanent residents and temporary residents for the purpose of work, taxations, government benefits,
education, healthcare and other official functions. The issuing of the identification number is stipulated
by the legislation of the country involved. Each country has its own standard for the identifier (and
attributes) of the citizen record. The access to registers with citizens data is limited by the laws of
the country involved. The UN published guidelines on the legislative framework for civil registrations.
[14]
The UN publishes no overview of “national identification numbers”. See Reference [15] for more
information on national identification numbers.
The OECD provides an overview of “tax identification numbers” (TIN) of many of the UN member
countries, or the functional equivalent for their citizens with the rules of the country involved in
relation to the issuance, structure, use and validity of its TIN. See Reference [16] for more information.
The authentication schemes of/for government agencies include directly or indirectly the citizen
number issued by the government involved.
5.2.1.2 Passport
The ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) issues the specifications for machine readable
passports. A passport is a travel document (so an object) issued by a government, primarily for the
[17]
purpose of travel, to certify the personal identity and nationality of its holder. The ICAO specifications
include mandatory data elements such as:
— the issuing state or organization (in code);
— the passport number must uniquely identify the document from all other machine readable
documents issued by the state;
— a primary and a secondary identifier as defined by the state.
[18]
ISO/IEC 7501-1 defines machine readable passports.
5.2.2  Private sector identifiers
Businesses and NGOs design(ed) their own identifier (and attributes) for the registration of their
natural person customers or members. These identifiers can include industry standards (such as part
of the credit card number). Businesses (such as organizations in the financial industry) must also
often include an identifier issued by a public sector agency of the country involved in the files of their
customers. These identifiers mostly can only be used for specific purposes allowed or prescribed by the
legislation of the country involved.
5.2.2.1  ISO 24366 Financial services — Natural Person Identifier (NPI)
[19]
ISO 24366 specifies a machine-readable, unambiguous natural person identifier (NPI) and the
relevant reference data to uniquely identify the natural person relevant to any financial transaction
rather than the personal identifying information.
5.3  Identifiers of legal entities
5.3.1  Public sector identifiers
5.3.1.1  Identifiers of legal entities registered in business registers
All countries have legal entities (with rights and obligations) of several legal forms (see 5.3.2.1) that are
in general registered with an identifier in a business register or other public register of that country.
Not all countries have a complete register of all legal entities of all their legal forms. All business
registers have their own (national) identifier standard for legal entities and do not use a standard of an
international SDO (Standard Development Organization). All business registers have their own rules on
the access to the data of legal entities and if a fee is required to get access to (part of) the data.
The G20-FSB mandated the Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation (GLEIF) to take care of the
[20]
“Registration Authorities List”, which includes over 770 business registers, and other relevant
registers of which the data are available free of charge for any user. The register of the Registration
Authorities is available.
[16]
The OECD makes an overview available to many UN member countries of their “tax identification
numbers” (TIN) for legal entities or their functional equivalents with the rules of the country involved
in relation to the issuance, structure, use and validity of its TIN.
5.3.1.2  ISO 20275 Financial services — Entity legal forms (ELF)
[21]
ISO 20275 specifies the elements of an unambiguous scheme to identify the distinct entity legal
forms in a jurisdiction. Its aim is to enable legal forms within jurisdictions to be codified and thus
facilitate the classification of legal entities according to their legal form. See Reference [22] for the ELF
register of all legal forms of the UN sovereign states.
5.3.1.3  ISO 17442-1 Financial services — Legal entity identifier (LEI) — Part 1: Assignment
[23]
ISO 17442-1 specifies the minimum elements of an unambiguous legal entity identifier (LEI) scheme
to identify the legal entities relevant to any financial transaction.
It is applicable to "legal entities", which include, but are not limited to, unique parties that are legally
or financially responsible for the performance of financial transactions or have the legal right in their
jurisdiction to enter independently into legal contracts, regardless of whether they are incorporated
or constituted in some other way (e.g. trust, partnership, contractual). It includes governmental
organizations, supranationals and individuals when acting in a business capacity, but excludes natural
persons. It also includes international branches as defined in ISO 17442-1:2020, 3.5.
The LEI is designed for automated processing. It can also be conveniently used in other media
interchange when appropriate (e.g. paper document exchange).
NOTE Examples of eligible legal entities include, without limitation:
— all financial intermediaries;
— banks and finance companies;
— international branches;
— all entities that issue equity, debt or other securities for other capital structures;
— all entities listed on an exchange;
— all entities that trade financial instruments or are otherwise parties to financial transactions, including
business entities, pension funds and investment vehicles such as collective investment funds (at umbrella
and sub-fund level) and other special purpose vehicles that have a legal form;
— all entities under the purview of a financial regulator and their affiliates, subsidiaries and holding companies;
— sole traders (as an example of individuals acting in a business capacity);
— counterparties to financial transactions.
See Reference [24] for the register of issued LEIs.
[25]
ISO 17442-2 specifies a standardized way of embedding the legal entity identifier (LEI) code, as
represented in ISO 17442-1, in digital certificates, represented by the International Telecommunications
Union (ITU) Recommendation X.509 and its equivalent International Standard, ISO/IEC 9594-8.
ISO 17442-2 specifies the structure of a public key certificate conforming with ISO/IEC 9594-8 in which
the LEI is embedded.
5.3.1.4  ISO 5009 Financial services — Official Organizational Roles (OOR) — Scheme for official
organizational roles
[26]
ISO 5009 specifies an unambiguous scheme to list official organizational roles by jurisdiction in a
standardized way.
It is not the purpose of ISO 5009 to compare or align official organizational roles across different
countries or jurisdictions, so as not to limit the usage or relevance of ISO 5009. To understand the
powers associated with each official organizational role, users of ISO 5009 can consult applicable
regulation or legislation, documents of the legal entity in which the official organizational role exists
and procedures specific to each organizational entity.
5.3.1.5  Traders Identification Number (TIN)
The TIN is the technical standard of the World Customs Organization (WCO) for a globally unique
identification of AEO (Authorized Economic Operators). See Reference [27] for more information.
5.3.1.6  Economic Operators Registration Identification Number (EORI)
[28]
The Economic Operators Registration and Identification number (EORI) is required for businesss
and people in the EU customs territory as an identification number in all customs procedures when
exchanging information with customs administrations. Non-EU economic operators also need an EORI
number for specified purposes in relation with the EU customs.
5.3.1.7  EU VAT Identification Number (IOSS)
The EU IOSS (Import One Stop Shop) VAT Identification Number allows suppliers in e-commerce selling
imported goods to buyers in the EU to collect, declare and pay the VAT to tax authorities at the moment
the goods are imported to the EU. See Reference [29] for more information.
5.3.1.8 EuroGroups Register (EGR)
The EGR consists of all statistical units that are related to enterprise groups, which have at least one
unit in the EU. The EGR access is restricted to official SBR statisticians in EU NSOs (National Statistical
Organizations). See Reference [30] for more information.
5.3.1.9 Global Groups Register (GGR)
The GGR ID and the GGR register of the United Nations covers the world’s 100 largest multinational
enterprises (MNE) groups. The GR identifies the MNE groups and their legal structures across countries.
See Reference [31] for more information.
5.3.2  Private sector identifiers
5.3.2.1 Global Location Number (GLN)
1)
The GS1® GLN (Global Location Number) enables companies the unique and unambiguous
identification of any type of party or location, whether physical or digital, used in business processes.
Identification in this manner is a prerequisite for efficient communication between trading partners.
A GLN acts as a database key to reference party or locations specific information that which more
fully describes the entity. Its function is to reduce input errors and increase efficiency. The GS1 GLN is
recognized by ISO/IEC 6523.
1) GS1 is a registered trademark of GS1 Switzerland. This information is given for the convenience of users of this
document and does not constitute an endorsement by ISO of the product named.
The GLN is widely used in sharing electronic data between companies, since it enables unambiguous
identification of the parties, locations and systems. The GLN is a foundational key in related GS1
standards. See Reference [32] for more information.
5.3.2.2  ISO/IEC 6523-1 Information technology — Structure for the identification of
organizations and organization parts — Identification of organizations identification schemes
[33]
ISO/IEC 6523-1 specifies a structure for the globally an unambiguously identifying organizations,
and parts thereof, for the purpose of computer data exchange. It also makes recommendations regarding
where prior agreements can be concluded between interchange partners.
In the development of ISO/IEC 6523-1, it has been recognized that a single method of all organization
on an international basis is neither feasible nor practicable. Instead, ISO/IEC 6523-1 recognizes existing
methods of identification and provides a means for systemically incorporating these in a uniform
structure for the purposes of information exchange. An organization can be identified by more than
one identification method.
[34]
ISO/IEC 6523-2 specifies the procedure for the registration of organization identifications schemes
and the requirements for the administration of an ICD (International Code Designator) values, to
designate these identification schemes. End June 2022 an ICD was issued to about 200 Organization
Identification Schemes. See Reference [35] for more information.
5.3.2.3 DUNS Number
2)
A DUNS® number is a unique nine digits identifier created by the credit bureau Dun & Bradstreet.
DUNS numbers are a standard numbering system to identify business across the globe. See Reference
[36] for more information.
5.3.2.4 PermID
The PermID (Permanent Identifier) is an open, permanent and universal identifier used by different
stakeholders and partners within or outside an organization. PermIDs are open, permanent and
universal identifiers where the underlying attributes capture the context of the identity they represent.
See Reference [37] for more information.
5.3.2.5  ISO 9362 Banking — Banking telecommunication messages — Business Identifier Code
(BIC)
[38]
ISO 9362 specifies the elements and structure of a universal code for financial and non-financial
institutions, for which such an international identifier is required to facilitate automated processing of
information for financial services (amongst others for the payments and securities industries and for
trade finance).
The BIC is used for addressing messages, routing business transactions and identifying business parties
among more for the SWIFT network. See Reference [39] for more information on the register.
6  Identifiers of objects
6.1 Introduction
This document distinguishes between identifiers of objects used in multiple industries (horizontals)
included in 6.2 and of objects used mainly in a specific industry (verticals). The industry overview in
6.2 and 6.3 has been created based on the received contributions of identifier experts.
2) DUNS is a registered trademark of The Dun and Bradstreet Corporation. This information is given for the
convenience of users of this document and does not constitute an endorsement by ISO of the product named.
6.2  Identifiers of objects used in multiple industries (“horizontals”)
6.2.1 Supply chain
The (international) supply chain covers the delivery of good and services. It covers subject identifiers
of market participants and government agencies (see above) and object identifiers such as for products,
assets, locations and documents (see below), and for the payments (see below).
The public sector is actively involved in the (global) supply chain via their custom and statistical
agencies and their food and drugs agency, to assess the quality of the food and drugs, and for the
sustainability of the production and distribution of the global supply chains. Market participants have
reporting requirement obligations to those government agencies and do so with the required identifier
and/or available identifier standards.
GS1 is a SDO that provides open and global standards and has a suite of identification standards
designed to support supply chain operations for a majority of product value chains. Stakeholders
who use GS1 identifiers with GS1 standards for transactions and events achieve interoperability with
trading partners as well as other operational benefits. GS1 standards are technology agnostic and can
be used for the design of DLT and non-DLT systems. The GS1 identifiers are relevant for many end-to-
end supply chains.
The majority of the GS1 identifiers are relevant for the supply chain of any industry whereas some are
particularly relevant for specific industries. The Figure 3 diagram illustrates a linear supply chain with
notable GS1 identification keys supporting the movement of goods.
[40]
The GS1 Identification keys are clarified in Global Standards One along with GS1 standards to enable
[41]
a more visible supply chain .
[42]
The UN published a guide on the traceability in the global supply chains .
Figure 3 — Illustration of a GS1 linear supply chain with GS1 identification keys supporting the
movements of goods
6.2.1.1 Global Trade Item Number (GTIN)
The GS1 Global Trade Item Number is used to identify any item (product or service) upon which there is
a need to retrieve predefined information and that can be priced, or ordered, or invoiced at any point in
any supply chain. This definition covers raw materials, consumer packaged goods, healthcare items and
items for general distribution, all of which can be priced, ordered or invoiced between trading partners.
See Reference [43] for more information.
6.2.1.2 Global Location Number (GLN)
The GS1 Global Location Number enables the unique and unambiguous identification of any type of
party or location, whether physical or digital, used in business processes. Identification in this manner
is a prerequisite for efficient communication between trading partners. A GLN acts as a database key to
reference party or location specific information that which more fully describes the entity. Its function
is to reduce input errors and increase efficiency. The GS1 GLN is recognized by ISO/IEC 6523.
The GLN is widely used in the sharing of electronic data between companies, since it enables
unambiguous identification of the parties and locations, whether physical or digital. The GLN is a
foundational key in the related GS1 standards. See Reference [32] for more information.
6.2.1.3 Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC)
Items that have been assembled together for transport and/or storage can be considered as logistical
units that are identified with a GS1 identification key named the SSCC (Serial Shipping Container Code).
Each instance represents an individual assemblage of objects, while in transport and/or storage, and
until that have been separated to enable a logistic unit’s individual journey to be referenced. The SSCC
ensures that logistic units are identified with a number that is unique worldwide. The SSCC can be used
by companies for any combination of trade items packaged together such as a case, pallet or parcel. See
Reference [44] for more information.
6.2.1.4  Global Returnable Asset Identifier (GRAI)
A returnable asset is a reusable package or transport equipment of a certain value, such as a beer
keg, a gas cylinder, a plastic pallet, or a crate. The GS1 system identification of a returnable asset, the
Global Returnable Asset Identifier (GRAI), enables tracking as well as recording of all relevant data. See
Reference [45] for more information.
6.2.1.5  Global Individual Asset Identifier (GIAI)
In the GS1 system, an individual asset is considered a physical entity made up of any characteristics.
This element string identifies a particular physical entity as an asset. Individual Asset Identifier (GIAI)
can remain with the asset when changing hands depends on the particular business application. If it
remains with the asset it cannot be reused. This element string might, for example, be used to record
the life-cycle history of aircraft parts. By symbol marking the GIAI, AI (8004), on a given part, aircraft
operators are able to automatically update their inventory database and track assets from acquisition
until retirement. The GIAI is also used with Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC) for
medical devices within the micro-logistics cycle of use, cleaning and sterilization. See Reference [46]
for more information.
6.2.1.6 Global Service Relation Number (GSRN)
The Global Service Relation Number (GSRN) is a non-significant number use
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