How the GS1 Digital Link works

11 months ago

The requirements for transparency, sustainability and digital traceability along the supply chain are constantly increasing. Traditional coding is reaching its limits. The GS1 Digital Link is the answer to these new challenges. It links physical products directly with digital information and creates the basis for the Digital Product Passport, improved processes in supply chain management, product communication and regulatory compliance.

With OPAL Label Management, you can implement this standard simply, securely and in a future-oriented way. You can access all relevant product data directly from SAP systems and output it flexibly as a barcode, 2D code or RFID, the perfect basis for the GS1 Digital Link in production, logistics and packaging.

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What is the GS1 – Digital Link?

The GS1 – Digital Link extends existing GS1 identifiers such as GTIN, SSCC, or GLN to include a standardized web structure (URI). It converts a product number into a unique web link that points directly to digital information.

Example:

https://id.gs1.org/01/09506000134352

This structure allows you to link each physical product to its digital identity. The code refers to product information, safety data, service pages or other web-based resources – standardized, globally understandable and machine-readable.

Structure and functionality of the GS1 Digital Link

The GS1 Digital Link is based on the base URL and the so-called Application Identifiers (AI).

Base URL

The base URL is the initial part of a GS1 Digital Link. It defines the domain or entry point at which the digital information on a product can be accessed.

Example:

https://example.com/01/

The base URL can:

hosted by a company itself
(e.g. https://produkte.meinefirma.ch/01/)

or

originate from a third-party provider or resolver service
(e.g. https://id.gs1.org/01/)

Application Identifiers (AI)

GS1 Application Identifiers (AIs) are standardized prefixes in barcodes and RFID tags that indicate what type of information follows – e.g. a serial number, a best-before date or a batch number. They enable the clear and structured representation of data in global supply chains. Each AI consists of two to four digits and defines the format and meaning of the subsequent data.

The Application Identifiers (AI) define which information is contained in the URI, for example:

01 = GTIN
10 = Batch
21 = Serial number

The complete list of available Application Identifiers can be found at GS1:
https://ref.gs1.org/ai/

URI (Uniform Resource Identifier)

The URI is the complete link that uniquely identifies the product – i.e. the combination of base URL and application identifier.

Example of a complete URI:

https://id.gs1.org/01/09506000134352

Optionally add parameters such as language or market:

https://id.gs1.org/01/09506000134352?lang=de&market=EU

The resolver – the heart of the system

The resolver is the central element of the GS1 Digital Link. It takes on the role of a digital guide: you use it to determine which information is displayed after the code is scanned, depending on the context such as device, language or user role.

A resolver is an intelligent mediation service that interprets a URI (Uniform Resource Identifier) and automatically decides which resource is to be delivered. Instead of writing a fixed link into the code, the resolver forwards the call dynamically. This means that the code on the product remains unchanged, while you control the target content centrally.

This allows you to decide for yourself what customers see after scanning, what technical data you transmit to partners or machines and what additional information you provide depending on the process. With this architecture, you create a flexible, expandable system that delivers data contextually without you having to reprint labels.

With a resolver, you can centrally control which content is delivered, adapt information to specific target groups and keep your data up to date at all times without printing new codes. In this way, you create a future-proof solution that grows with the increasing requirements for transparency, data availability and regulatory evidence.

The GS1 Global Office offers a public resolver infrastructure with resolver.gs1.org. Alternatively, you can use your own resolver in your system landscape to host content yourself and define individual rules for data access, languages or markets.

With your own resolver, you retain full control over your data flows. You decide who receives which information, when content is updated and how you expand your data services, for example with APIs, product passports or digital certificates.

The GS1 Digital Link always remains the same, regardless of who scans it. The intelligence lies in the resolver: it analyses the call, recognizes the context and then automatically decides which information should be delivered. This means that different target groups always receive the appropriate content with the same code.

1. context-based recognition

The resolver evaluates various context information transmitted by the device or system when it is called up. It automatically recognizes who or what is scanning the code (e.g. smartphone, browser, ERP system). Language, region and user agent are taken into account.

2. control via parameters

Via parameters such as: ?lang=en&market=CH&view=consumer can be used to specifically control which variant is delivered. This means that different target groups (e.g. consumer, service, authority) receive context-appropriate content.

3. rule-based logic

In a separate resolver, you define rules that determine which content is delivered.
Example: Browser → product page, ERP system → JSON data, view=service → maintenance instructions.

4. access control and authentication

A dedicated resolver enables access controls, logins, API keys and token-based security. This allows you to control who sees which data.

5. dynamic content

A resolver can dynamically load content from SAP, PIM or CMS. With each scan, it checks: Who is requesting? Which parameters? Which data is relevant?

In addition to websites or documents, the resolver can also provide structured data. Structured data is information in a clearly defined format that machines can process directly. In the GS1 context, JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) has established itself as a lightweight, universal exchange format.

Example of structured product data in JSON format:

{
“gtin”: “09506000134352”,
“lotNumber”: “LOT4711”,
“expiryDate”: “2026-12-31”,
“productName”: “OPAL Smart Label”,
“countryOfOrigin”: “CH”
}

With JSON, you ensure that ERP, PIM or MES systems can automatically read and process the information. This reduces media disruptions, increases data quality and enables direct integration into the Digital Product Passport or other regulatory verification systems.

Conclusion

The resolver turns the GS1 Digital Link into an intelligent information hub. Whether customer, service technician or ERP system, everyone accesses different, context-specific content via the same code.

Practical examples from the industry

To give you a concrete idea of how the GS1 Digital Link works in practice, we will show you three typical application scenarios.

Example 1 – Consumer goods industry

A food manufacturer uses the GS1 Digital Link on every package. Customers scan the 2D code with their smartphone and receive information on ingredients, nutritional values and sustainability. Internally, the same URI is used for traceability.

Example 2 – Medical technology

A medtech company uses the GS1 Digital Link for serial numbers and expiration dates. Service technicians scan and receive maintenance instructions, authorities JSON data.

Example 3 – Mechanical engineering

A system manufacturer labels spare parts with a GS1 Digital Link. Technicians scan and go directly to the spare parts catalog and assembly instructions.

Step-by-step guide to introducing the GS1 Digital Link

1. analysis and preparation

Check your data sources (GTIN, batch, serial number), target groups and data structures.

2. develop URI concept

Define application identifiers, parameters and standardized structures.

3. select resolver

Choose GS1 Resolver or your own resolver depending on your control and integration needs.

4. integration

Set up URI generation in ERP or label management (e.g. OPAL Label Management).

5. testing and validation

Scan test codes and check content for each target group.

6 Rollout and maintenance

Train teams, maintain content, monitor scans and updates.

Checklist: Is your company ready for the GS1 Digital Link?

Use these questions to optimally prepare your company for the use of a GS1 Digital Link.

Do you use GS1-compliant identifiers?

Do you record serial numbers, batches and expiry dates centrally?

Do you manage product information centrally?

Can you print 2D codes or RFID?

Do you have a concept for URIs and resolvers?

Is your label management (e.g. OPAL) designed for dynamic data?

Are you planning integration into SAP?

Are you preparing for the Digital Product Passport?

Would you like support in implementing the GS1 Digtal Link?

Our experts will show you how to create a GS1 Digital Link. Get in touch with us.

Suitable data carriers & technologies

The GS1 Digital Link is technology-neutral. The decisive factor is that the data carrier can map the URI in full.

1D Barcode

For simple numbers and with a limited amount of data
– limited suitability –

RFID / NFC (EPC URI)

For automatic recording, IoT & supply chain tracking
– supplementary –

2D Code

QR code or DataMatrix with high data capacity, smartphone-compatible
– recommended –

The advantages of the GS1 Digital Link

Uniform labelling, global standardization, dynamic control via resolver, direct customer access, regulatory compliance, seamless integration and basis for innovation & IoT.

Uniform labeling

Global standardization

Dynamic control via resolver

Direct customer access

Regulatory compliance

Seamless integration and foundation for innovation & IoT

Support and compatibility with current layout systems

System	GS1 Digital Link Support	Recommendation
BarTender	Complete	Ideal for productive environments
Loftware	Complete	Ideal for complex layouts
Codesoft	Complete	Suitable for industry & logistics
Adobe LiveCycle Designer	Partial	For simple applications
SAP SmartForms / Adobe Forms	Possible	Integration with OPAL recommended

Conclusion and outlook

The GS1 Digital Link is the key to digital product identity. It creates the basis for transparency, sustainability and communication along the value chain. With OPAL label management, you can implement this standard efficiently, with direct access to SAP data, GS1-compliant URIs and output as barcodes, 2D codes or RFID.

About the author:

Rony Sieber

Team Leader & Senior Consultant

The team leader of OPAL Professional Service and with OPAL Associates AG since 2003. He is the intellectual inventor of the OPAL label management system. His project experience and product knowledge are therefore second to none.

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