Application Identifier (AI)

Application Identifiers (AI) are 2 or 3-digit numeric codes used in GS1 standards to identify the type of data encoded in a barcode or QR Code. The most common AIs for DPP include: AI 01 (GTIN), AI 03 (GTIN Made-to-Order), AI 10 (Batch number), AI 21 (Serial number), AI 22 (Version number), and AI 242 (Variation). In the GS1 Digital Link format, these AIs are used in the URI to structure product information. For example, AI 01 followed by a GTIN indicates that the following digits represent a Global Trade Item Number. Verisav uses these AIs to generate GS1-compliant QR codes. Application Identifiers (AI) are 2 or 3-digit numeric codes standardized by GS1 and used to identify the type of data encoded in a barcode or QR Code. They serve as prefixes that indicate the meaning of the following data, thus enabling systems to correctly decode and interpret information. In the context of the European Digital Product Passport, the most important AIs are: AI (01) for Made-to-Stock (stock product, identified by GTIN), AI (03) for Made-to-Order (custom product, identified by GTIN), AI (10) for Batch/Lot (production lot number), AI (21) for Serial (unique serial number), AI (22) for Version (product version number), and AI (242) for Variation (product variant). These AIs enable defining product identification granularity according to European Union delegated acts: model level (model, identified by GTIN alone), batch level (batch, identified by GTIN + lot number), and serial level (individual unit, identified by GTIN + serial number). Required granularity depends on product category and regulatory requirements. For example, some electronic products require serial-level identification for complete traceability, while other products may be identified at model or batch level. In the GS1 Digital Link format, these AIs are used in the URI to structure product information. For example, AI 01 followed by a GTIN indicates that the following digits represent a Global Trade Item Number. This explicit structure facilitates QR Code resolution by standard scanners and ensures better interoperability. Verisav uses these AIs to generate GS1-compliant QR codes, thus ensuring that all generated QR Codes are compliant and can be correctly interpreted by existing systems.