OAL has proudly received GS1 UK Approved accreditation for its OAL Connected platform.
This certification validates OAL Connected’s compliance with GS1 standards, marking a pivotal moment for UK food producers committed to best practices in data integrity and traceability.
As an industry leader in date code and label verification systems for food production, OAL explains that GS1 UK’s approval process includes a thorough technical evaluation of product functionality. This involves live system demonstrations and documented evidence of compliance with GS1’s published standards. Following this comprehensive assessment, OAL Connected now stands recognized for its adherence to GS1’s standards that enhance packaging verification and traceability.
The solution, now certified by GS1 UK, adheres to global standards, supporting vital elements such as GTIN, SSCC, GS1 Digital Link, and various barcode symbologies, including EAN/UPC, GS1-128, and GS1 DataMatrix. These features are essential as the UK food retail sector increasingly embraces next-generation barcodes.
With OAL’s GS1 UK certification, customers can confidently meet the evolving requirements of retailers implementing QR barcodes. Through the OAL Connected platform, manufacturers can print GS1 Digital Link QR codes directly onto product packaging, seamlessly embedding critical variable data such as expiry dates. This capability is crucial as retailers shift towards GS1 Digital Link-enabled QR codes, enabling consumers to access rich digital content, detailed product information, promotions, and sustainability data via a simple smartphone scan. By facilitating compliant, dynamic QR code printing, OAL empowers food manufacturers to stay ahead of industry standards and retailer expectations.
“This is a proud moment for our team,” remarks Jake Norman, managing director of OAL. “We designed OAL Connected to meet the highest standards of traceability and packaging integrity. Having this independently verified by GS1 UK is fantastic. It represents a significant advancement for our customers who depend on us for compliant, robust systems that simplify complexity on the factory floor.”
Furthermore, this approval solidifies OAL’s role as a trusted technology partner for food manufacturers. By aligning with GS1 standards, OAL Connected helps manufacturers mitigate mislabelling risks, simplify digital traceability processes, and ensure seamless data sharing across their value chains.
Anne Godfrey, CEO of GS1 UK, stated, “We are pleased to approve OAL Connected for its alignment with GS1 standards. Their platform exemplifies the identification and barcode compliance that aids the UK food sector in meeting growing expectations surrounding traceability, data quality, and supply chain transparency.”
GS1 UK Approval remains valid for three years, providing assurance that OAL’s platform has undergone rigorous testing and met the high standards set by GS1 UK’s evaluation process.
Additionally, OAL is hosting a series of hands-on seminars at its Peterborough headquarters, where attendees can observe systems in operation and discover how automation can future-proof their packaging and traceability processes.
To register for the next event, visit: https://www.oalgroup.com/events/automation-seminar-sept-2025