U.S. Department of Homeland Security Collaborates with GS1 US to use Commercial Business Standards to Identify Assets; GS1 US Publishes Guidelines to Support Department of Homeland Security's UID Policy.

LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. -- GS1 US announced today the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is using a GS1 System identification number to identify a broad range of assets, including weapons and body armor. The identification number, known as a Global Individual Asset Identifier (GIAI), uniquely identifies each asset and is the pointer to the business information necessary to manage and track each asset. The GIAI and the associated information about the asset can be shared throughout an organization's supply chain.

The DHS leverages resources within the United States federal, state, and local governments, coordinating the transition of multiple agencies and programs into a single, integrated agency focused on protecting the American people and their homeland. GS1 US is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the adoption and implementation of standards-based, global supply chain solutions. The GS1 System, formerly the EAN.UCC System, is recognized as the most widely used set of supply chain standards in the world.

The DHS recently issued a Unique Identification (UID) policy to its agencies requiring the use of a GIAI for asset management. These government agencies have requested that their suppliers and manufacturers use the GIAI to uniquely identify all assets that are shipped to them. To support the DHS policy, GS1 US has published the Guidelines for Application of EAN.UCC Unique Identification (UID) Markings to Items in the Supply Chain.

"We applaud the Department of Homeland Security's support of our standards," says Dennis W. Harrison, Senior Vice President GS1 US and President of BarCodes and eCom. "GS1 US fully supports the DHS policy for UID and looks forward to working with the DHS and other government agencies to help them improve the way they conduct business with their many vendors."

Heckler & Koch Defense, Inc., a DHS supplier of HK firearms, has complied with DHS' recent request to use the GS1 System identification number to mark all assets that they ship to the DHS. "Heckler & Koch took the initiative to effectively incorporate this device into all HK pistols shipped to DHS as a pro-active measure to meet government requirements," said Wayne Weber, HK Defense Federal Operations Manager.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), a government agency within the DHS, has been using the GS1 System identification number to identify security equipment and airport locations. They began using the GIAI for asset management in 2002, noting improved efficiencies in their business processes. Today, the TSA is able to determine exactly what assets are in its inventory as well as the precise location of its assets.

Those interested in obtaining information on how to provide the DHS with a unique identification that is internationally accepted should contact GS1 US Director of Business Development Jim Petragnani at 609.620.4570 or via email at [e-mail]/. To order a hard copy or download a copy of the Guidelines for Application of EAN.UCC Unique Identification (UID) Markings to Items in the Supply Chain, visit http://www.uc-council.org/ean_ucc_system/membership/ean_ucc_uid_ markings.html. (Due to its length, this URL may need to be copied/pasted into your Internet browser's address field. Remove the extra space if one exists.)

About GS1 US

GS1 US Inc.(R) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the adoption and implementation of standards-based, global supply chain solutions. GS1 US operates wholly owned subsidiaries EPCglobal US(TM), RosettaNet, and 1SYNC(TM). GS1 US manages the United Nations Standard Products and Services Code (UNSPSC(R)) for the UN Development Programme. EPCglobal Inc(TM) is a joint venture of GS1 US and GS1. GS1 US-based solutions, including business processes, XML standards, EDI transaction sets, and the bar code identification standards of the GS1 System (formerly known as the EAN.UCC System) are currently used by more than one million companies worldwide. www.GS1US.org.