The Global Commerce Initiative (GCI) - a global user group comprised of the world's biggest multi-national manufacturers, retailers and service providers - agreed on the business rules for setting up a globally standardised model: the Global Product Classification (GPC) Schema. The objective is to improve supply chain performance between manufacturers and retailers by the voluntary adoption of industry standards for product group identification.

The GS1 community owns the GPC Schema. GS1 has appointed ACNielsen as the service provider to host and manage the GS1 Classification Schema on behalf of the industry.

Manufacturers and retailers exchange a variety of information. Historically manufacturers supply their retailers with catalogues containing detailed descriptions of product offerings. Retailers then search through the catalogues of all potential suppliers. The product information is expressed in specific terms and formats, not allowing for easy comparisons between different supplier offers. This process of reviewing various catalogues is inefficient and cumbersome for both manufacturers and retailers.

GPC allows trading partners to communicate more efficiently and accurately throughout their supply chain activities. It is expensive for companies to develop their own coding systems that cannot be used for external communication. A single universal coding convention acts as a cost-effective link in the supply chain, even if companies customise it for specific purposes.

Classification codes are necessary for effective searching of products and services, for identifying where expenditures are made, and for promoting products to potential buyers. Global Data Synchronisation is dependent on trading partners using the same global standard product classification schema to enable product search, view and subscription and publication activities.

Click HERE to download specifications and guidelines about GPC.
Click HERE to GSMP.