EPCIS and GS1 Standards: Core Business Vocabulary, Visibility Data Model, and EPCIS 2.0 Update
EPCIS (Electronic Product Code Information Services) is a GS1 standard that defines a data model and interfaces for exchanging information about events related to physical and digital objects in supply chains. It provides end-to-end visibility in near real-time.
In modern supply chains, the ability to track the movement and status of objects is critical. EPCIS provides a universal language for describing events such as arrival, shipment, aggregation, and transformation, allowing different systems and partners to exchange structured information without loss of meaning.
Key Components of the Standard
Core Business Vocabulary (CBV): defines standard values for EPCIS data fields, such as event types (e.g., ObjectEvent, AggregationEvent, TransactionEvent), business steps, reasons, and destinations. CBV ensures semantic interoperability, guaranteeing that all participants understand the data in the same way.
Visibility Event Data Model: this is the core of EPCIS. The model defines four key aspects of each event:
🔍 What
Identifiers of objects (EPC, GTIN, SSCC) associated with the event.
🕐 When
Event timestamp and the time it was recorded.
📍 Where
Location (GLN) and the identifier of the reading device.
📦 Why
Business context: step, processing status, reasons (values from CBV).
Evolution to EPCIS 2.0
Version EPCIS 2.0 and CBV 2.0 represent a significant evolution of the standard, aimed at supporting digital transformation and the Internet of Things (IoT). Key improvements include:
- Sensor and IoT Support: ability to include sensor data (e.g., temperature, humidity) directly in events using the new SensorEvent type.
- JSON and RESTful API: alongside traditional XML/SOAP, the standard now officially supports JSON-LD and REST-based interfaces, simplifying integration with modern web technologies.
- More Flexible Identification: expanded support for identifiers beyond EPC (e.g., any URI, barcodes), making the standard more universal.
- Improved Security and Access Control: built-in recommendations for authentication and authorization for secure exchange.
Practical Application
Implementing EPCIS solves the problem of an "RFID island," where data from readers is used only locally. Integrating EPCIS-compliant middleware with ERP, WMS, and MES systems via standard interfaces creates a unified event information space for all supply chain participants — from manufacturer to retailer.
This provides the foundation for applications such as product origin tracking (traceability), automatic shipment-to-order verification, returns management, and anti-counterfeiting.
Conclusions
EPCIS is a cornerstone for creating interoperable, digital, and transparent supply chains. The transition to version 2.0 with support for IoT and modern web standards opens new opportunities for integrating RFID and sensor data into end-to-end business processes, turning raw events into valuable business logic.
