A current key barrier to improved data use in Australia's freight system is the inability to properly compare and aggregate data sources due to unstandardised data. The National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy and Freight data requirements study highlight the need for a national approach to data consistency across jurisdictions and along supply chains.

Our Freight data standards project is working to overcome this issue and facilitate better data exchange to improve decision making and productivity. Our data projects, including the Freight data consignment exchange and National Location Registry, are already working on developing and implementing data standards for specific areas of freight data. Our Freight data standards project will provide a coordinated approach to link this work together.

GS1 Global data standards in action

Implementation of ISO certified GS1 global data standards

To address issues around interoperability and scalability of business processes, communications and solutions, GS1 global data standards provide the freight sector with a digital framework. This involves implementing globally unique freight unit identification to enable:

  • Enhanced visibility through a single identifier for tracking a freight unit as it moves along the supply chain
  • Efficiencies by eliminating the need to re-identify and re-label freight at each point in the chain
  • Streamlined data exchange between supply chain partners
  • Globally unique identification of transport assets, companies and locations along the supply chain – essential for freight visibility
  • Greater efficiency through automation of operational processes
  • Interoperability across a fragmented industry through utilization of a common language of ISO certified global data standards
  • Enhanced visibility for improved customer experience and levels of service
  • Improved flow of information to reduce operational costs for all parties

Cross border projects

Cross border trading is as challenging as ever, especially for companies selling products that are faced with high levels of scrutiny by customs authorities. A one-day delay at the border is equivalent to a one per cent loss in export value and reduces trade competitiveness.

APEC trading partners are modernising trade systems and addressing issues that cause delays and costs at the border. The most common control and enforcement issues stem from lack of quality data, inconsistent product labelling and declarations, non-structured data formats, and missing information.

For further information see:

Technical documents

Single Freight Data Standard for National Digital Framework

ALC report on key data standards to measure supply chain performance

Australian Freight Labelling Guideline

GS1 guide on supply chain standards for the management of freight

Scan4Transport Guideline

GS1 global standard for encoding transport data on a logistics label

Data exchange standards

Logistics Interoperability Model

GS1 report on interoperability for transport and warehousing processes

Visibility Event Data

GS1 report enabling disparate applications to create and share event data

Freight Messaging Guidelines

GS1 guide for the logistics sector to adopt Electronic Data Interchange messages

Transport glossary

Australian Transport and Logistics Glossary

GS1 and ALC definition of terms commonly used in transport and logistics

Government & industry reports

Benefits of Enhanced Supply Chain Visibility Report

Austroads' investigation on the potential benefits of enhanced end to end supply chain visibility

Last Mile Logistics White Paper

GS1 report on emerging innovations for customer-centric logistics

GS1 Australia

Freight and Logistics Data Standards

GS1 standards to identify, capture and share supply chain data

Contact GS1

Contact details for GS1 Australia