Identifiers

Identifiers are standardized data models that allow entities to be identified uniquely. In general, they can be as simple as an unstructured string, like a name or email. Within the Global Traceability Framework for Beef & Leather (GFTBL), identifiers are highly structured Universal Resource Identifiers (URI) whose components identify the type of entity being identified as well as the specific entity being identified.

For example, a standard identifier for a product is an Electronic Product Code (EPC). In URI format, an EPC conveys more than just a unique key for identifying the entity, it also conveys the type of product (serial or lot), the product definition the product instance belongs to, and the company who created the identifier.

Below, the same EPC is represented in two formats using the same components

The company prefix identifies the company who created the id. The product definition id identifies the product definition this product instance belongs to. The lot number identifies the specific lot this product instance belongs to. Additionally, the structure of the EPC, identifies the product instance as a lot-level EPC versus an instance level EPC.

Structured Identifiers provide a decentralized way to generate unique identifiers and to convey additional meaning beyond the instance's identity alone.

Types

Identifiers are closely aligned with the type of entity being identified. Different types of entities use different kinds of identifiers, each encoding information about both the entity and its type. These identifiers are most often expressed in URI or URN format.

The fundamental identifier types are the following:

• Product Definition
• Product Identifier
• Location Identifier
• Party Identifier
• Logistical Unit Identifier

Product Definition Identifier

Uniquely identifies a specific type of product or trade item, for example a 12oz can of Coca-Cola. A GTIN refers to the static characteristics of the product type, such as its brand, description, dimensions, weight, and packaging configuration, rather than individual product instances. A product definition identifier can be combined with a lot or serial number to create an EPC that identifies individual product instances.

Common product definition identifiers include:

• GS1 GTIN (Global Trade Item Number)
• GDST Product Definition Identifier

Product Identifier

Combines a product definition identifier (like a GTIN) with batch/lot or serial numbers to uniquely identify a specific instance of a product. Within the GTFBL, an EPC will refer to one of the following:

• GS1 GTIN + Lot Number
• GDST Product Definition Identifier + Lot Number
• GTIN + Serial Number
• GDST Product Definition Identifier + Serial Number

Location Identifier

Uniquely identifies a physical location, typically something static such as a processing facility or a distribution center.

Location Identifiers relevant to this framework include:

• GS1 GLN (Global Location Number)
• GDST Location Identifier

Party Location Identifier

Uniquely identifies a business or organization, such as the owner of a product or facility.

Party Location Identifiers relevant to this framework include:

• GS1 PGLN (Party Global Location Number)
• GDST Party Location Identifier

Logistical Unit Identifier

Uniquely identifies a specific logistics unit, such as a pallet or container, which may contain multiple trade items.

Logistical Unit Identifiers relevant to this framework include:

• GS1 SSCC (Serial Shipping Container Code)
• GDST SSCC
• License Plate