GS1 announces global product recall standard

Following nearly three years of industry-driven work, GS1 has announced the ratification of a new global product recall standard, as well as an implementation guide for multijurisdictional recall notifications. GS1 Australia said the new standard ‘connects’ all the recall portals being developed across the globe, enabling the exchange of data between portals.

GS1 says the standard will enable supply chain stakeholders to implement more effective product recall processes and notifications. “The standard defines, standardises and harmonises the critical attributes to be captured and shared among trading parties and regulators during a product recall alerting and messaging process,” GS1 said in a media release.

“Effective product recall is complex, multijurisdictional and typically involves multiple stakeholders in extended supply chains,” said a Woolworths Australia spokesperson. “Having a standardised process globally will enable us to run more timely and targeted recalls. Ultimately, consumer safety will benefit.”

The standard identifies the key principles of traceability and demonstrates how to apply them for effective product recall. Accompanying the standard is an implementation guide that is dedicated to multijurisdictional requirements as a product recall alert is issued and executed.

“The GS1 Product Recall Standard will enable manufacturers, retailers and suppliers to work more closely together,” said Procter & Gamble’s Marketing Logistics Leader Daniel Triot.

“By leveraging a system of global supply chain standards that we all know and use today, product recall will become a function that is embedded into all our global supply chain. Critical mass adoption and interoperability of the notification tools will accelerate the implementation of the standard.”

The standard is incorporated into the GS1 Recallnet platform in Australia. GS1 Australia’s COO Mark Fuller says this is part of GS1 Australia’s long-term plan for making GS1 Recallnet a more global solution for brand owners and consumers.