Government

GS1 NZ is partnering with government, business and their communities to provide the global foundations for a digitised, sustainable future.

GS1 New Zealand enables government and industry to scale sustainably, safely and securely

GS1 New Zealand works with New Zealand Government agencies by using the same standards private sector organisations use for border clearance, procurement and identification of products and places.

Global Data Standards (GDS) are instrumental in facilitating international trade. They give world class specifications to ensure data interoperability, transparency and efficiency.

GS1 supporting the New Zealand Business Number ecosystem

A key initiative for the Government is the New Zealand Business Number (NZBN). The NZBN is a globally unique identifier available to all Kiwi businesses, including Sole Traders, Companies, Partnerships, Trusts, and other entity types. It uses a GS1 legal entity identifier, known as a Global Location Number (GLN).

In collaboration with Government agencies, over 750,000 businesses in New Zealand have an NZBN. Linked to each business's NZBN is a set of core business information, known as Primary Business Data (PBD). This data is the information most frequently requested when transacting with other businesses or with the Government.

Trust Anchor: The NZBN acts as a trust anchor, which is essential for virtually every transaction across the economy, both digital and traditional. This makes doing business faster and easier.

Global Location Numbers assisting in the government strategy

Organisation parts

Organisation Parts enable businesses to extend beyond their NZBN to identify various areas such as branches, departments, and locations. This facilitates easier connections and interactions with other businesses and government agencies.

Organisation Parts are GLNs that answer the questions of 'who' is involved in a commercial relationship and 'where' something or someone is at a given time (as seen in the Covid-19 location posters). GLNs also play a crucial role in cross-border trade.

eInvoicing

The New Zealand Government is promoting eInvoicing, which automates and simplifies the exchange and processing of invoices by directly exchanging invoice information between buyers' and suppliers' financial systems, even if these systems are different.

The identifiers used in the eInvoicing process can be GLNs, and if you use an Organisation Part, it is automatically linked to your NZBN.

Product packaging data sharing

To improve productivity, efficiency, and sustainability.

GS1 New Zealand produced a report on plastic packaging data sharing in the retail sector. The report looks at how packaging data is shared currently – from distributor to brand owner, through to re-use, recycling or end of life - and how existing systems could be enhanced using GS1 standards.

Packaged food products on retail shelves

Product recall management and food safety

GS1's ProductRecallNZ (PRNZ) service is a secure, online, 24/7 recall management solution that is used by New Zealand's major supermarket retailers and the majority of NZ food & grocery suppliers. It allows users to react quickly and effectively in the event of a recall, to ensure high consumer safety and reduce any potential reputational risk.

PRNZ is explicitly referenced in New Zealand Food Safety's recall guidance as a way to combine and streamline process steps.

On Pack data collection

Our On Pack data collection is the largest food and grocery ingredient and nutritional database in New Zealand. It is used by Ministry for Primary Industries and NZ Food Safety. This critical information is used to develop and monitor food policy performance and food standards. Case study: On Pack Label Database

Digital product labelling

Digital labelling, such as the QR code powered by GS1, is the use of digital technology to provide product and logistics information to complement physical labels. Major international export markets such as China and the European Union are modernising practices to take advantage of digital labelling.

Real-time product information updates
Reduced reliance on physical labelling
Export growth support
Enhanced consumer accessibility

Ministry for Regulation: The Ministry for Regulation is currently conducting a product labelling regulatory review.

GS1 New Zealand prepared a joint statement with industry organisations and major companies that have an interest in labelling. Our submission highlighted the opportunities that could come from New Zealand embracing digital labelling and the role of GS1 standards.

Supporting business growth and sustainability

Building and construction

We work with Government agencies and BRANZ to implement GS1 standards in achieving productivity and environmental sustainability outcomes.

Food traceability

GS1's approach to enabling global supply chain traceability uses open standards to provide visibility of objects relevant to regulators and trading partners.

Read case study

Transport and logistics

Scan4Transport (S4T) is the global standard for encoding transport and logistics data into a shipping label to support transport processes including first mile, sortation and last mile activities. Having a single logistics label for use worldwide for all transport modes has many benefits including enhanced supply chain visibility and streamlined parcel sortation processes.

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