Barcodes are more than just black-and-white parallel lines on a product’s packaging scanned at checkout counters. They represent a product’s digital ID. Similar to how an Aadhar card carries an individual’s key details, barcodes encode a product’s data. They play a key role in ensuring trust between businesses and consumers. With the expansion of online shopping and global supply chains, the need for accurate barcode verification online has become more critical than ever.
Whether you’re a consumer trying to check if the product is genuine or a business listing products on an e-commerce platform, validating barcodes is crucial. In this blog, you will understand two tools that make this process simple: the Smart Consumer App and the GTIN Validation Service.
Why Barcode Verification Matters
Barcodes are the foundation of the global supply chain. They are used almost everywhere and across every industry. From quick commerce to the construction sector, their usage expands far beyond billing purposes. The application of barcodes facilitates not just universal unique product identification but also traceability. All this makes barcode verification online indispensable. Below are some more reasons why consumers/retailers should verify products/barcodes.
- Ensuring product authenticity and consumer trust: Fake or duplicate barcodes often signal counterfeit products. Verification helps mitigate the supply of such products in the market, safeguarding the interests of consumers.
- Preventing counterfeit products in the supply chain: Verified barcodes help retailers and distributors filter out non-genuine products before they reach store shelves or customer carts.
- Enhancing business credibility on e-commerce platforms: Marketplaces like Amazon, Flipkart, and others demand correct product codes. Businesses with verified barcodes not only avoid delisting but also enjoy higher Google search engine rankings.
Tool 1: Smart Consumer App
What is the Smart Consumer App?
The Smart Consumer App, developed by GS1 India, is designed to empower consumers by connecting them directly to product data uploaded by brand owners. Its primary purpose is to promote product data transparency and informed purchasing decisions. By simply scanning a barcode using the app, consumers can access authentic product details — no middlemen, no ambiguity.
Key Features of the Smart Consumer App
- Instant product details: Scan a barcode to access genuine information such as the product’s manufacturing details, nutritional information, trade licences, and more.
- Manufacturer insights: Learn about the company behind the product, including their customer contact details.
- Pricing and transparency: Compare MRP and ensure accurate pricing information.
- Product authenticity: Check if the product matches details provided by the genuine brand owner, cutting down the chances of purchasing counterfeit goods.
Benefits for Consumers and Businesses
For consumers, the Smart Consumer App empowers them in their purchase journey. For businesses, it’s an opportunity to demonstrate commitment to authenticity and transparency. The app encourages ethical trade practices and bridges the trust gap that often exists in online shopping. Its user-friendly interface makes it accessible to everyday shoppers while doubling as a powerful brand credibility tool for businesses.
Tool 2: GTIN Validation
What is GTIN Validation?
A Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) is a globally recognised identifier for products, issued by GS1. Every product sold online — from packaged food to electronics — needs a unique GTIN to be sold through online/offline sales channels. GS1 India (One of the 116 member organisations of GS1) provides its GTIN Validation service to retailers. This service is powered by DataKart – the national product data repository and helps retailers and other data aggregators validate product GTINs accurately and efficiently.
How GTIN Validation Works
The GTIN Validation Tool cross-checks the product code entered by a business against DataKart’s vast product database. DataKart contains authentic information on millions of products sold in the market, uploaded by thousands of brand owners.
- Enter the product’s GTIN into the GTIN Validation tool.
- The tool verifies its correctness and ensures it matches the registered brand owner’s data.
- If valid, the GTIN can be confidently used for product listings on e-commerce platforms.
As a retailer, if you want to validate GTINs in bulk, you have to send the list of GTINs in Excel to GS1 India’s office. This simple yet effective process saves businesses from potential listing errors, rejected uploads, and compliance hassles.
Benefits of GTIN Validation
- Error-free listings: Minimise incorrect or duplicate product entries on online marketplaces.
- Verified Product Details: Product details are verified from the brand owner’s uploaded information.
- Protects business reputation: Invalid GTINs can lead to product rejection, loss of sales, and a poor reputation on marketplaces. Validation eliminates this risk.
How Both Tools Work Together
While both tools serve different user groups, their combined impact creates a holistic system of trust.
- The Smart Consumer App addresses the consumer side, giving buyers access to transparent product information and assurance of authenticity.
- The GTIN Validation Tool strengthens the business side, ensuring that every product listed online has a valid and globally recognised barcode.
Together, they close the loop between businesses and consumers — building an ecosystem where transparency, accuracy, and trust thrive.
Conclusion
In an age where counterfeiting and misinformation threaten both businesses and consumers, online barcode verification is not just a technical requirement; it’s a business essential. The Smart Consumer App and the GTIN Validation service make this journey seamless, empowering consumers to make informed choices while helping businesses maintain compliance and credibility.
By adopting them, businesses not only safeguard their operations but also contribute to a marketplace built on transparency and trust. Consumers, on the other hand, gain confidence knowing the products they purchase are genuine.