For the application of unique serial numbers, or Standard Numerical Identifiers (SNIs), to packages as part of compliance with the California Pedigree Law in 2015-2017 , GS1’s Electronic Product Code (EPC), particularly in barcode form, is the clear winning standard. But there seems to be a very common misconception going around that for pedigree data management, all you need to do to comply with that law is to deploy a system that is based solely on the GS1 Electronic Product Code Information Services (EPCIS) standard. The misconception assumes that there is a formula that can be followed to achieve compliance and that EPCIS is the whole formula.
In truth, EPCIS will almost certainly be an important component in the compliance formula but exactly how it fits, and whether there are other necessary components, has not yet been determined.
There are probably several reasons that this misconception persists. First, GS1 US continues to promote their 2015 “Readiness” Program as if it is that formula. The program documentation strongly implies that, if you simply follow their program, you will “be ready” to comply with the law; but it stops short of actually saying that you will be compliant.
Second, it seems like people are either able to understand the law well but not the technical standards, or they are able to understand the technical standards well but not the law. The legal folks are left to trust what the technical people say about EPCIS, and the technical people assume that as long as the data elements identified in the law are present somewhere then EPCIS must comply.
Now I am not a legal expert but I’ve been looking at the text of the California Pedigree Law for a few years now and I think I understand it at a level that allows me to estimate how various technical approaches might fill its requirements. Let me show you how Continue reading Why GS1 EPCIS Alone Won’t Work For California Pedigree, Part 1 →