In this article, you will learn what GS1 Assistant does, what it doesn’t do, and what you need before you start using it.

Before you start

Before you can use GS1 Assistant, you need a valid GS1 company prefix.

The app does not generate or sell its own barcodes. It manages the GTINs linked to your existing GS1 prefix.

Don’t have a prefix yet?

Read: Before You Install: Do You Have a GS1 Company Prefix?

What you can do with GS1 Assistant

1. Assign GTINs to your Shopify products

You can assign GTINs (UPC/EAN barcodes) to your Shopify product variants directly inside the app.

Instead of manually updating barcode fields yourself:

• Select your products and click Assign GTIN

GS1 Assistant adds the next available GTINs from your prefix.

2. Find invalid barcode data

If you’ve imported products from another platform, CSV file, or app, some barcode values may be invalid.

GS1 Assistant helps you identify:

• Invalid GTIN formats
• Duplicate barcodes
• Placeholder values
• Barcodes from unofficial sources

This helps reduce listing issues on marketplaces like Amazon and Google Shopping.

3. Export barcode data

After assigning GTINs, you can export barcode data to supported GS1 Member Organization formats within the app. Exporting Shopify product and barcode data to platforms such as Amazon Seller Central, Google Merchant Center, or wholesale retailer systems would require additional integrations or export formats.

What GS1 Assistant does not do

1. It does not sell barcodes

GS1 Assistant only manages GTINs connected to your GS1 company prefix.

If you’re based in the US and don’t yet have a prefix, you can purchase one from GS1 US through the app. The prefix still comes directly from GS1.

2. It does not replace your GS1 membership

You still need to maintain your GS1 membership with your regional GS1 organization, such as:

• GS1 US
• GS1 UK
• GS1 Germany

The app does not manage membership renewals or billing.

3. It does not automatically make your products ‘Verified by GS1’

‘Verified by GS1’ is a separate status in GS1’s product registry.

Most marketplaces verify if the GTIN was assigned from a GS1 prefix belonging to your business. If product-specific information has been published to Verified by GS1, they may also validate that the product information you provide matches those records.

GS1 Assistant helps you manage GTIN assignments linked to your GS1 prefix.

Is GS1 Assistant right for you?

GS1 Assistant may be a good fit if you:

• Already have a GS1 company prefix
• Sell on Amazon, Google Shopping, Walmart, or wholesale channels
• Manage multiple product variants
• Want to stop assigning barcodes manually
• Need to clean up invalid barcode data

The app may not be suitable if:

• You’re looking for low-cost reseller barcodes
• You don’t currently need GTINs for your sales channels
• You want to assign barcodes to your products for internal use

Next step

If you already have a GS1 company prefix, continue to: Before You Install: Do You Have a GS1 Company Prefix?