CGS Achieve Cross-border Traceability using GS1 standards and 1QR platform
Background
The Chinese government has been promoting traceability for key industrial products, by tracking the quality and safety assessment processes along their supply chain. This established a system of "traceable sources, traceable whereabouts, and traceable responsibilities”, protecting the public from safety risk and offering them a peace of mind. Products like gas stoves, electric bikes are among the key industrial items which require not just production permits and quality certificates, but also traceability report built on the national standards in future .
Specialised in the production of LPG appliances for over 40 years, Crown Gas Stoves (CGS) has been known for being safe, eco-friendly and innovative, a trusted Hong Kong brand over the years. The group's LPG appliances are marked with the EMSD's GU Mark, which signifies that the products have been produced in accordance with recognised international safety standards and local requirements and are subjected to local quality assurance checks in Hong Kong laboratories. However, the group has yet to engage in any product traceability works because there are no such regulatory provisions.
Aimed to enable product traceability, a project called “Guangdong-Hong Kong China Industrial Internet Identification Service Platform” (“CIIISP”) was launched jointly by GS1 Hong Kong and its partner in Guangdong, Zhongshan Huaxi Electronic Technology Co., Ltd. Upon hearing the project, CGS agrees to participate in the pilot, leading the transformation as an industry stakeholder.
Solution
CGS took part in the pilot in mid-2023. Intended for enterprises with a "Made-in-China, Sold-in-HK" model, the project requires participating companies to obtain at least 2 pieces of relevant product attributes from the supply chain process, including product number (GTIN), production batch/date/quantity, inspection certification, etc., and upload them to the CIIISP to enable traceability.
Connected to GS1 HK's BarcodePlus, a product and location information platform, the CIIISP can generate QR codes with "GS1 Digital Link" standard . This allows consumers in Hong Kong and overseas to scan the QR code and access product information, like serial number, quality inspection results, etc., on the "1QR" platform. It also links to the brand’s e-commerce platform and warranty form, improving product information transparency and encouraging customer feedback and engagement.
The pilot project has enhanced CGS ability to track products and provide after-sales service, and boosted consumer trust in the products and its brand image.
The group is among the first batch of companies to participate in the CIIISP project to meet the requirements of national standard. The initiative not only shows the group’s foresight and readiness to comply with future regulations, but also sets an example for the industry, demonstrating CGS' innovative thinking and endeavour to digitalisation.
![CIIISP aims to connect and interchange GS1 keys in GS1 Global standard with the Industrial Internet Identification IDs across China’s Industrial Internet, facilitating the flow of product traceability info.]()
Steered by Guangdong Communications Administrations in Jul 2022, “CIIISP” is a project co-developed by GS1 Hong Kong and Zhongshan Huaxi Electronic Technology Co. Ltd., which aims to connect and interchange GS1 keys in GS1 Global standard with the Industrial Internet Identification IDs across China’s Industrial Internet, facilitating the flow of product traceability info.
GS1 HK’s role include:
- Link up GS1 standard for industrial Internet identification, coding and lookup;
- Boost supply chain visibility and product traceability with GS1 EPCIS traceability standard;
- Provide API interface to connect secondary nodes that harmonise industrial internet identification and GS1 global systems of standard;
- Provide QR code powered by GS1 Digital Link standard, that enable product traceability via 1QR platform and GS1 traceability standards.
CGS is exploring its involvement in the next phase of pilot to further use the platform, such as displaying product inspection reports to ensure safety and stability, as well as energy efficiency to promote greater transparency and sustainability.
GS1 Digital Link is one of the standards embedded to QR codes, which standardizes the url by embedding GS1 identifiers such as GTIN (Global Trade Item Number), Batch Number, expiry date, etc.
Benefits
The pilot of “CIIISP” project helps CGS to:
• Realise product track-and-trace, promote product data flow, accelerate the group’s digitalisation journey;
• Stay compliant with the government’s requirements on product safety and traceability, creating a safe market environment for consumers;
• Enhance consumer confidence on Guangdong-HK cross-border products, raising the product and brand image.
GS1 standards used or solution (s) /service (s) used
CGS has been committed to a safety-first, people-centric approach for years, and the launch of our anti-scorch gas stove is one of the examples. Our participation in the pilot for the ‘CIIISP’ also attests to our innovative spirit: The process is easy, simply by registering and uploading the data during the production and quality inspection stage, and generate a QR code to put onto products, which allows regulators, consumers and other stakeholders to access the relevant information. This highlights the quality of our products, builds trust, and helps expand our market locally and globally.
Ms Joyce Lee
Director
Crown Gas Stoves Holdings Co. Ltd.
Background
CGS has over 40 years of history, known for producing and trading different gas appliances such as gas stove, water heater, range hood, heaters, etc., as well as a registered LPG supply company. Striving towards a greener business model like reducing carbon emission and promoting energy-saving, the company is also dedicated to providing caring service to customers. Its reputation has stretched beyond Hong Kong and Macau, into Mainland China, North America and Australia.