GS1 - The global language of business

Data pools

A data pool provides the mechanism for trading partners, such as retailers, foodservice operators and suppliers, to share product information with each other using standard data and messages.

Suppliers use a data pool to ensure that product information and subsequent changes can be set up in a single, central location and then that same data can be used with multiple customers, locally and globally.

Retailers or foodservice operators use a data pool to enable one point of call to retrieve all product information from their suppliers.

To be part of the Global Data Synchronisation Network (GDSN) it is necessary for a data pool to be GDSN-certified . This is achieved by passing the GDSN Interoperability Certification, which ensures data pools meet the latest GDSN standarde. Certification takes place once a year.