Data Sharing

Background

The industry agreement on reducing food waste was signed between the authorities and a unified food industry in June 2017. The goal of the agreement is to halve food waste in Norway by 2030, in line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. A government-appointed Food Waste Committee delivered a report on January 3, 2024, with recommendations for new and enhanced measures to achieve the halving target. One of the recommended measures is standardized and increased data sharing in the value chain. STAND has developed this standard on behalf of the Food Waste Committee.

Purpose

The standard defines the format and exchange frequency for purchase forecasts from wholesalers to suppliers in the grocery industry. The purpose of the standard is to contribute to a significant reduction in food waste, as well as to improve the efficiency of goods and information flow in the industry. Furthermore, the standard aims for continuous improvement. This will be achieved through the exchange of defined KPIs and structured bilateral dialogue. To achieve these goals, it is also assumed that suppliers are capable of sending high-quality order confirmations to wholesalers. This means order confirmation down to the product line level and that the stated volume/quantity of products can be delivered at the desired delivery time. Regarding the exchange of other types of information between wholesalers and suppliers, such as the wholesaler’s sales to stores, POS data in stores, and inventory levels, this can be exchanged. This type of exchange is agreed upon and implemented bilaterally.

Scope

The standard covers purchase forecasts from wholesalers to suppliers in the grocery industry. This means that direct distribution from suppliers to stores is not included in this standard.
The purchase forecasts include grocery trade, kiosks, gas stations, convenience stores, and HoReCa (hotel, restaurant, and catering).
The purchase forecasts from wholesalers are aggregated, i.e., total figures per wholesaler (chain).
Purchase forecasts are specified uniformly for all product types and product shelf life. This means that all product categories and shelf life are treated equally in the standard.
Purchase forecasts are provided at the article level, i.e., (SKU). The time horizon for purchase forecasts: The time horizon refers to the period up to the date the wholesaler retrieves the goods from the supplier (ex works).
Part A: The forecast horizon is 13 weeks ahead. A purchase forecast from wholesaler to supplier must be provided for each week. This is given as a sum on a weekly basis.
Part B: For the next three weeks, i.e., U-1, U-2, and U-3, purchase forecasts must be provided daily.

The purchase forecasts sent by the wholesaler to the supplier include:

a) Normal Sales: New products, phase-outs, and assortment changes should be included in the purchase forecast for normal sales. For new products, a clear distinction must be made between forecasts and orders.

b) Campaign Forecasts: Purchase forecasts for campaigns are included in the figures from wholesaler to supplier along with purchase forecasts for normal sales. To inform about purchase forecasts for campaigns, such as volume, it is recommended to exchange additional information between wholesaler and supplier. Note the handling of pre-orders. A pre-order means a physical order from the wholesaler to the supplier. The wholesaler has already sent the order. This should not be part of the purchase forecast.

c) Seasonal Products: Seasonal products are defined in STAND as “a product sold in a time-limited period related to a season defined by the parties involved.” A distinction is made here between seasonal products and contract sales. Seasonal products are characterized by being ordered from the wholesaler and delivered by the supplier continuously throughout the season. Seasonal products are included in the normal purchase forecast from wholesaler to supplier. Contract sales are characterized by an agreement being made for each product between the wholesaler and the supplier. For contract sales, a volume of the product to be delivered by the supplier to the wholesaler is locked in. Suppliers do not need purchase forecasts for contract sales. However, since no order has been sent from the wholesaler to the supplier, the contract sale for this product will appear as part of the purchase forecast sent by the wholesaler to the supplier. The supplier will then disregard the purchase forecast for these products

Exchange Frequency

The exchange frequency for purchase forecasts is weekly. More frequent exchanges can be agreed upon bilaterally for U-1, U-2, and U-3.

Exchange Format

Purchase forecasts from wholesaler to supplier are sent in Excel file format from wholesaler to supplier. The files are sent via email. There is no need for explicit identification of wholesaler and supplier in these emails. The emails are sent from/to email addresses that have been agreed upon in advance.

Two different files should be exchanged:

a. File A contains purchase forecasts per week for weeks 1 – 13. Column headers are EPD number, product description, number of units for the week number (year + calendar week).

b. File B contains purchase forecasts per day for the next three weeks (U–1, U–2, and U–3). Column headers are EPD number, product description, number of units per day that the wholesaler retrieves from the supplier.

The content in the Excel sheets is specified as follows:

EPD number (File A and File B) identifies the ordering unit (D-pack) from wholesaler to supplier. See https://tradesolution.no/tjenester/epd/. Here, the EPD number is defined with 8 digits. Product name/description: It is recommended to use the same description as registered in the EPD database. Length is up to 30 alphanumeric characters.

Number of units per week: This refers to the number of ordering units (D-pack), unless otherwise agreed between the parties. Here, the number of units of the EPD number in the purchase forecast for weeks 1 – 13 is recorded. The week number is indicated with “year-week number” in the format “yyyy-ww” from week 1 to 13. There are 13 columns allocated.

Number of units per day: This refers to the number of ordering units (D-pack), unless otherwise agreed between the parties. Here, the number of units of the EPD number in the daily purchase forecast that the wholesaler retrieves from the supplier for the next three weeks U-1, U-2, U-3 is recorded. The day is indicated with year-month-day in the format “yyyy-mm-dd”. There are 15 columns allocated.

Continuous Improvement

To measure the effect of measures and ensure continuous improvement, relevant KPIs should be exchanged between the parties.

Primary KPI is forecast deviation – purchase forecast from wholesaler to supplier – to be exchanged

Forecast deviation is defined here as the purchase forecast from wholesaler to supplier measured against the actual order from wholesaler to supplier per D-pack (SKU). Frequency can vary. Goals and thresholds/limits are agreed upon bilaterally. Both parties measure forecast deviation and exchange this in ongoing dialogue, as outlined in the section on Regular Bilateral Dialogue below.

Remaining shelf life in % – to be exchanged

One of the main goals of this standard is to contribute to reduced food waste. Various factors influence the development of food waste. The industry assumes that increased remaining shelf life through the value chain generally contributes to reduced food waste, and that measuring changes in remaining shelf life will therefore be a relevant indicator.

Further definition is under development and will be added to the standard.

Other KPIs – Recommended to be exchanged:

Service Level: Service level is a common KPI in the grocery industry. Refer to the definition in STAND. Of these definitions, the following is recommended: Number of delivered sales units / number of ordered sales units from supplier to wholesaler. Here, sales units refer to D-pack (SKU). Measurement and exchange are agreed upon bilaterally.

Regular Bilateral Dialogue

The exchange and evaluation of relevant KPIs are part of the bilateral dialogue between the chain/wholesaler and the supplier. The industry has a clear ambition to enhance this dialogue. It is important to establish bilateral platforms where chains and their suppliers can align mutual expectations and results. If such a platform is not already established, both parties may initiate an agreement to set this up, with responsibility lying with the wholesaler. The platform should be established for all suppliers, large and small. Meetings can be physical or digital. The dialogue should be regular, but the frequency will vary based on both parties’ needs. It is assumed that relevant functions with sufficient decision-making authority from both sides will participate.

Data Sharing

Background

Purpose

Scope

The standard covers purchase forecasts from wholesalers to suppliers in the grocery industry. This means that direct distribution from suppliers to stores is not included in this standard.
The purchase forecasts include grocery trade, kiosks, gas stations, convenience stores, and HoReCa (hotel, restaurant, and catering).
The purchase forecasts from wholesalers are aggregated, i.e., total figures per wholesaler (chain).
Purchase forecasts are specified uniformly for all product types and product shelf life. This means that all product categories and shelf life are treated equally in the standard.
Purchase forecasts are provided at the article level, i.e., (SKU). The time horizon for purchase forecasts: The time horizon refers to the period up to the date the wholesaler retrieves the goods from the supplier (ex works).
Part A: The forecast horizon is 13 weeks ahead. A purchase forecast from wholesaler to supplier must be provided for each week. This is given as a sum on a weekly basis.
Part B: For the next three weeks, i.e., U-1, U-2, and U-3, purchase forecasts must be provided daily.

The purchase forecasts sent by the wholesaler to the supplier include:

Exchange Frequency

The exchange frequency for purchase forecasts is weekly. More frequent exchanges can be agreed upon bilaterally for U-1, U-2, and U-3.

Exchange Format

Two different files should be exchanged:

a. File A contains purchase forecasts per week for weeks 1 – 13. Column headers are EPD number, product description, number of units for the week number (year + calendar week).

The content in the Excel sheets is specified as follows:

Continuous Improvement

To measure the effect of measures and ensure continuous improvement, relevant KPIs should be exchanged between the parties.

Primary KPI is forecast deviation – purchase forecast from wholesaler to supplier – to be exchanged

Remaining shelf life in % – to be exchanged

Further definition is under development and will be added to the standard.

Other KPIs – Recommended to be exchanged:

Service Level: Service level is a common KPI in the grocery industry. Refer to the definition in STAND. Of these definitions, the following is recommended: Number of delivered sales units / number of ordered sales units from supplier to wholesaler. Here, sales units refer to D-pack (SKU). Measurement and exchange are agreed upon bilaterally.

Regular Bilateral Dialogue

Videos

132 Allocation of total shelf life on a product

Allocation of total shelf life on a product

Reducing food waste is an overall goal in society. Food waste related to exceeding the limit values of shelf life between the parties in the value chain, constitutes a significant part.
Surveys shows that food waste are significantly reduced if the store and the consumer have a larger part of the total shelf life.

It is therefore a goal that the producer and distributor consume the least amount of available time and that the maximum amount of time is exposed to the consumer.

The grocery industry has defined one Table for allocation of shelf life of a product which regulates the responsibility for and expectations the recipient of products has, linked to shelf life. Online players with b2c sales will be defined as retailers when dividing total shelf life.

In case of minor exceedances of the table’s limit values, participants are expected to seek solutions that provide the lowest possible food waste.

The parties are encouraged to develop performance and collaborate to reduce consumption of shelf life.

173 The Modular system

To ensure efficient utilization of production facilities, transport, storage and retail systems, etc., all packaging levels – Consumer Units (CU), Stock Keeping Units (SKU) and Distribution Units (DU) must be adapted to the modular system.

The modular system is based on physical goals; length, width and height.

The starting point for the modular system is a Basic module.
This has the dimensions; 600 mm * 400 mm and must be adjusted to a height as one Standard pallet (this amounts to 1050 mm ex. pallet, 1200 mm incl. pallet.

When optimizing an existing product, a deviation of a maximum of 49 mm is allowed.
This allows a total height including pallet of 1249 mm.

All pallets with total height above standard 1200mm with maximum height of 1250 mm to be agreed bilaterally between supplier and their customers.

Example of optimized pallet with base module 600 x 400 mm

Examples of sizes that are widely used on Stock Keeping Units (SKU), and which are customized to basic modules

175 Requirements for the design of the Distribution Unit (DU) and palletization

Requirements for the design of the Distribution Unit (DU) and palletization

The Distribution Unit (DU) is the unit the Stock Keeping Units (SKU) is stacked on / packed in for transport to distributor.

Design of a Standard pallet (Standard pallet and Standard pallet – Low)

A Standard pallet must contain the same product (same GTIN) with a fixed number of Stock Keeping Units (SKU), in a fixed pallet pattern, with equal number of Stock Keeping Units (SKU)on each layer, and where labelling of unique product information on the Distribution Unit (DU) is possible.

The pallet structure shall contain as little excess volume of “air” as possible.

Standard pallet
Maximum pallet height must be 1200 mm incl. pallet. All pallets with total height above standard 1200mm with maximum height of 1250 mm to be agreed bilaterally between supplier and their customers.

Tolerance limit for existing products is 1249 mm.

Standard pallet – Low
Maximum pallet height shall be 600 mm incl. pallet.
Standard pallet – Low is used for low-frequency products and for products with short shelf life.

Principles for the construction of a palletpattern, central in calculation of top load weight, ref Top load labelling system.

When creating a pallet pattern, the following applies:

A packaged Distribution Unit (DU) must be form stable and handling-friendly
A Distribution Unit (DU) shall withstand regular transport, handling and storage through the value chain
For single article Distribution Units (DU), all layers must contain the same number of Stock Keeping Units (SKU), and in a fixed pallet pattern
Requirements for equal number of Stock Keeping Units (SKU) on each pallet / identical layer from pallet to pallet, with the possibility of variation between the layers
The pallet should not have overhang
The Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) should be placed on the pallet as it is exposed in the store
Do not glue between pallet layers or between Stock Keeping Units (SKU) in the same pallet layer
If a transport label or product label is attached directly to Stock Keeping Unit (SKU), the label must not overlap between 2 Stock Keeping Units (SKUs), either horizontally or vertically
All pallets with total height above standard 1200mm with maximum height of 1250 mm to be agreed bilaterally between supplier and their customers.

Types of pallet pattern

When constructing Distribution Units (DU), the Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) must be placed in accordance with a given pallet pattern. These are referred to as bond stacking and column stacking. Pallets can also be built as a combination of bond stacking and column stacking.

Bond Stacking
Bond Stacking means that the units on every other layer are different, thus locking each other to a greater or lesser extent, but it reduces the compressive strength by approx. 40%.

Example of good pallet utilization and stacking with bond stacking, for good stability.

Column Stacking
Column stacking means stacking packages on top of each other without overlapping with other packages. This form of stacking gives maximum strength in terms of pressure load due to that the corners have better roll stiffness than the sides, but the stack gives poor stability without additional use of shrink wrap, strap, ribbon or similar.

Example of column stacking in the lower pallet layers, and bond stacking on the top layer. Combining the different stacking methods achieves good stack strength on the lower layers while the pallet is locked on top.
This is often a good alternative to intermediate pallet sheets.

Use of plastic to secure the pallet through the value chain

Shrink / stretch film must not be so tight that the packages are deformed
Shrink / stretch film must be tight around to the pallet
No tail of plastic must hang loose
Shrink / stretch film must not cover the fork lift openings on the pallet
Shrink / stretch film must not be fastened around the pallet blocks

Use of intermediate pallet sheets
Intermediate pallet sheets must be minimized and used only if this is necessary to ensure quality and transportability of the pallet.
Intermediate pallet sheets are preferred if the alternative to this is intermediate cartons, “Ears” on the Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) or use of corner trims.
Where intermediate pallet sheets are used, the following requirements apply:

The pallet sheet to be used for standard euro pallet should have dimensions of 750 mm * 1150 mm, ie 50 mm less than the length and width of the current load carrier
The pallet sheet must be of rigid cardboard or corrugated cardboard.
- The stiffness of the pallet sheet must pass the following test: If the short edge of the plate hangs 500 mm from a flat surface (eg a table), the pallet sheet must not bend down more than 50 mm, see illustration below
No more than one intermediate pallet sheet between each layer
The intermediate pallet sheet must not be fastened and be flat
Only a whole intermediate pallet sheet, i.e. without holes or perforations, shall be used
In case of questions, one is encouraged to contact the packaging supplier

Example of intermediate pallet sheet that does not meet quality requirements. The intermediate pallet sheet is a thin paper and is not suitable for automatic warehouse systems

Example of what happens when using “thin paper” intermediate pallet sheets.
The sheet is hanging down in the robot. It blocks for sensors that check that the layer is separated from the rest of the pallet. The robot will stop, and manual error correction must be carried out before the machine can be restarted.

Example of pallet with intermediate pallet sheets, too big – hanging on outside the pallet.
Is not suitable.

Intermediate pallet sheets with holes. Is not suitable.

156 Definitions – Combined target measures

Definitions – Combined target measures

The priority target measures can be combined in different ways, to create Combined target measures.

STAND has defined 3 examples:

Target measure Delivery Order – Availability

The target measure “Delivery Order” gives the proportion of the orders that are properly delivered.

Definition:

Quantity of complete orders delivered	= Level of Order Delivery
Total number of orders ordered

A complete delivery order contains all ordered sales units, in the correct quantity

Availability will primarily be measured as the priority target measure “Proper Quantity – Availability”, but to calculate the combined measurements below, it is a prerequisite that “Delivery Order – Availability” is calculated.

Complete orders at the right time – Availability & Reliability

The target measure describes both accessibility and reliability in the interaction.

The target measure is composed of the target measures:

Delivery of Order – Availability
At the right time – Reliability.

Definition:

Availability expressed per order

– Quantity of late or early delivery orders

= Complete orders at the right time

Total quantity of orders

Only one error per. order is counted

The measurement of “Complete Orders at the Right Time” shall be done at the place of arrival. At Incoterms Ex Works delivery terms, this is the supplier’s ramp

The perfect order

This is the most demanding target measure and measures all types of deviations regarding complete orders.

The target measure is composed of three previously defined target measures:

Delivery of Order – Availability
At the right time – reliability
Correct administration – Security

Definition:

Quantity of complete orders delivered

– late or early delivery orders

– Orders with missing or incorrect documents

– Orders with credit / debit notes

= The perfect order

Total quantity of orders

Only one error per. order is counted

If both the supplier and the customer’s obligations are considered in the target measure, the target measure represents the performance that the parties create in common.

Examples of calculation of service level for combined target measures can be found in the document

Examples of combined target measures

185 Communication and data exchange

The supplier and the retail chain shall keep each other updated in all circumstances that may be relevant for successful assortment change.

Sales and inventory data are made available as soon as they can be communicated.

Target measures

Service Level – for wholesaler and retailer – are measured and exchanged.
For definition of service level refer to Service level – Purpose, types of target measures and assumptions with any clarifications in the retail chain / supplier agreement.

In case of significant deviations in service levels, assortment coding and forecasts are therefore natural reference points.

184 Routine for delays from supplier / Private label

Routine for delays from supplier / Private label

Any delay must be notified immediately with the information available at the time of notification. Message must be sent to the department of category /purchase and the department of logistics.

In case of delay, a distinction is made between notified and unannounced.

Read more about:
Routine of notified delays (A7 in timeline)

Routine of unannounced delays

Current deadlines are available in section for downloads.

193 Feedback on listing / main assortment and confirmed ability of delivery (A3-A6 in timeline)

Feedback on listing / main assortment and confirmed ability of delivery (A3-A6 in timeline)

The feedback from the retail chain should include:

Assortment classification per profile chain (new and old classification)
Selected input and phase method (time-managed or inventory-managed)
- Included the list of products that are linked
Products that are delisted
The time of feedback about assortment is no later than U-8.

If the retail chain’s assortment selection of products leads to a supplier deciding to cancel or postpone launch, this should be reported to the relevant retail chain’s category manager by latest Friday at U-6.

For products being discontinued, any deviations from ordinary down sale must be clearly communicated in a reasonable time.

In case of product shortages at the supplier, the volume as confirmed in U-6 (A4 in timeline) is used as the basis of deviation handling ref.

Routine for delay from supplier / Private label

However, order confirmation of orders (A6) delivered no later than Tuesday in U-3 is to be considered as a binding agreement. Order confirmations will be given Wednesday U-3 (A6.1). Current deadlines are available in section for downloads.

192 Master data registration and product presentation follows a timeline

Master data registration and product presentation follows a timeline

Products distributed over distributor, via Crossdock or directly to retailers following the same path.

The timeline indicates the very last deadline for completion of the respective activity.
Many of the activities are sequential, where startup assumes that previous activities have been completed.

Where possible, encourage mutual involvement as early as possible in the process to reduce costs and uncertainties. See also Communication and data exchange

The retail chains will operate with different forms, but they largely contain the same.

Current deadlines are available in section for downloads.

155 Definitions – Priority target measures

Definitions – Priority target measures

The target measures are based on three important dimensions in the term «service level»:

Quantity – availability
Time – reliability
Administration – security

The priority targets measures should be followed and evaluated continuously with focus on level, trends and development.

Target measures Correct quantity – availability

The target measure “Correct quantity” measures availability as precision in quantity delivered.

Definition:

Number of delivered sales Units	= Availability
Quantity of ordered sales Units

The quantity ordered is the amount that the customer initially ordered.
Not delivered quantity represents deviations in delivery.

Target measure At the right time – reliability

The target measure “At the right time” measure reliability as precision in delivery time.

The target measure is used to measure compliance with time limits defined in the agreement between the parties.
The target measure can be used along several dimensions in the value chain.
Examples may be if orders are sent at the right time, if order confirmations are sent at the right time, if delivery is picked up at the right time, if Despatch Advice is sent at the right time, etc.

Definition (with example order):

Number of late or early delivery orders	= Reliability
Total quantity of orders

Delayed or premature is determined by whether exchange / delivery is within the agreed time frame.
At Incoterms Ex Works delivery terms, the assessment of the supplier’s reliability is on the supplier’s ramp.
The delivery is received when the order / delivery etc., is acknowledged for.

Target measures Correct Administration – Security

The target measure “Proper Administration” measures security as compliance between what is ordered in the order and what has been delivered and has been invoiced, that is, the correct product without errors and with the correct documentation.

Definition:

Quantity of orders without credit / debit notes	= SAFETY
Total quantity of orders

Correct administration means that Despatch Advice, shipping notes, invoices etc. are complete and error-free in relation to the delivery.
Only credit and debit notes affecting physical delivery are included in the measurement.
The target measure can also be used to measure the quality of orders from the customer.

Examples of calculation of service level for priority target measures can be found in the document

Examples of priority target measures

320 Guideline for labelling 2D barcodes on Consumer Units

Guideline for labelling 2D barcodes on Consumer Units

Background

The need for information both in trade and to the consumer is constantly increasing. Today’s solution using the EAN-13 barcode does not provide opportunities for additional machine-readable information. The need for more information has led to products that have more than one bar code applied to Consumer Units, which creates challenges both at the checkout point (POS) and in the value chain. Often this is a QR code with a link to a website where the consumer can find more information.

In parallel with the need for more communication with consumers, a need is emerging at the retail level to gain more control over the traceability and expiry date of the products, to ensure safe food and reduce food waste. This is happening in most countries in the world. In Norway, GS1 Norway, together with Matvett, established a working group consisting of representatives from brand suppliers, grocery chains, system suppliers and other stakeholders to discuss these issues. These guidelines are a result of this work and have now been included as part of STAND’s framework for the Norwegian grocery industry.

Purpose of the use of 2D barcodes in Norwegian grocery

Although 2D barcodes are not the only solution to the challenges, this is the data carrier of the future, where the need for information is greater than just identifying a product with GTIN. 2D barcodes take up less space, can contain more information about the product, are a tool for reducing food waste and increase food security, are more flexible, and can be read by mobile phones. This provides an opportunity for increased consumer contact. In addition, 2D barcodes can solve all needs for information exchange throughout the supply chain, including being able to link to websites.

Different types of 2D barcodes

There are many different 2D barcodes, but only some of them can be used in connection with the GS1 standards, which are the standards used by the Norwegian grocery industry. The different 2D barcodes are also used for different purposes. This is regulated in GS1’s regulations, General Specifications. The difference between the different 2D barcodes helps to determine what they can be used for.

QR Code

The QR Code barcode is in the GS1 system defined to be used only with GS1 Digital Link URI syntax. In practice, this means that this should only be used for communication with the consumer via a URL that links to a website with more information that the consumer can read with his mobile phone. QR Code has grown to become the preferred barcode for consumer communication and most mobile phones today are able to read this with the built-in camera app in the phone. This means that the threshold for reading QR Code is low among consumers, and it is less need for training and communication to put functionality related to QR Code into production. Here you can find more information about QR codes.

GS1 Datamatrix

GS1 Datamatrix is a variant of Datamatrix that uses GS1 Element String syntax. This is the use of AI (Application Identifier) structure. This is a way of structuring the information in the barcode so that everyone who reads the barcode understands the content in the same way regardless of the order in which the information is printed and how much information is in the barcode. According to GS1 General Specifications, GS1 Datamatrix is only permitted for use on Consumer units with variable measure and prescription medicines. However, it is permitted to use it in limited pilots, for test purposes and in closed value chains under controlled conditions. The advantage of GS1 Datamatrix is that it has high compression and error correction. It can be printed both square and rectangular so that it can fit where there is not enough height, but enough width to get the information needed without compromising on size and thus readability. However, the rectangular version has a limit on the amount of data that can be used. GS1 Datamatrix is the only permitted barcode on prescription drugs. Here you can find more information about GS1 Datamatrix.

Content in barcode

A minimum requirement for information attributes has been defined for POS purposes.

This is:

GTIN
Best before date or Expiry date
Batch/lot nr.
Weight (for variable measure products).

It is possible to use other Application Identifiers for internal and/or external needs, but this is then up to each individual actor to use.

319 Actions to be made in case of an incident or crisis

Actions to be made in case of an incident or crisis

Alarm / Notification

An incident can occur in all steps of the value chain, at the consumer, retailer, distributor or at the supplier itself. It is important that the supplier is notified as soon as possible.

Notification of an incident shall be given to one alert point at each operator. The alert point should be agreed in advance and always be staffed / available.

The industry has decided that for products registered in the Tradesolution EPD base, Tradesolution ReCall portal should be used for blocking, recall or withdrawal. Access is available at epd@tradesolution.no

For products not registered in the Tradesolution EPD base, a Notification schema for recall, withdrawal or blocking of a product may be used provided that this has been agreed between the supplier and the distributor/wholesaler. Notification schema can be downloaded from Downloads.

Required information to follow an alarm / alert

To identify the scope of the alarm / alert, the product’s GTIN / EPD, best before date, batch / Lot number and SSCC on affected pallets must always be stated. This applies regardless of whether the product is registered in the Tradesolution EPD base or not.

By using the portal, the supplier gets / is secured

Easier, faster and more efficient registration, as well as quality assurance of the necessary product information
Ensure that necessary information is distributed quickly and efficiently to all relevant recipients
Simplifying the dialogue between the parties
All dialogue and information exchange is done in the portal and can be logged and stored.

Here you can see an animation that shows how a recall can be done in practice, using the ReCall portal.

The ReCall portal can also be used in situations where you want to withdraw products with quality defects.

Distributors have built their own systems and routines for alerting crisis situations and blocking the products at their distribution warehouses and retailers. This is not part of the ReCall portal.

The following routine applies when registering an incident or crisis

Register a new case
Determine severity and health hazards
Notify affected parties / recipients
Register distribution and what to do with the product
Register tracking information for affected batches / lots
Describe further actions to be taken, with press releases and other additional information
Closing the case

The practical implementation of the routine is described here Routine when registering an incident or crisis, in the Tradesolution ReCall portal.

Conclusion

Through the guidelines, the industry contributes to satisfying consumers’ demands and expectations for safe products, provided that an overall industry complies with the guidelines.

Should an incident or crisis occur, there are routines and tools that, in a simple, fast and secure way, limit incidental damage.

An accurate and limited recall or withdrawal will be possible.

This reduces costs for all parties in the value chain and minimizes potential reputational loss.

316 Requirements for tracking information and labeling

Requirements for tracking information and labeling

The main purpose of the tracking information is to lay the groundwork for effective blocking, withdrawal or recall of products.

Central tracking information is:

GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) – Unique identification of products
GLN (Global Location Number) – Unique identification of trading parties, pick-up points, delivery points etc.
SSCC (Serial Shipping Container Code) – Unique identification of load carriers / pallets
Batch / lot number – A unique batch or lot number defined by supplier / manufacturer
Shelf life – Either Best Before date or Last Consumption Date

It is a requirement that the products are labeled to enable tracking.

The marking must be affixed to the product packaging and legible.

The following applies to finished goods traded between supplier and distributor / retailer:

Information to be marked:

The name of the supplier
Product name/description
Product number identified with a GTIN.
Best before date / last day of consumption date, if required
Batch / Lot number, if required

Load carrier (for example pallet) shall be marked with SSCC.

The sender must in his system have an overview of which recipient the product was sent to, and also the recipient must have an overview of which sender the product was received from. Both sender and recipient must be identified with GLN.

Sender shall in his system register:

Quantity sent
Shipping Date
Reception date (if known)

Recipient shall in his system register:

Quantity received
Shipping date (if known)
Reception Date

The following applies to raw materials and other inputs:

GTIN should be used for identification of inputs / raw material, if available
GLN should be used for identification of sender / suppliers, if available

More about tracking information and how the product can be tracked in the value chain is described here Recommended traceability methods in the value chain.

318 Prepare a Contingency Plan

Prepare a Contingency Plan

If unwanted incidents or crises occur, it is important to be well prepared.

Possible scenarios for what might arise should be thought through and how this should be handled.

A Contingency Plan must be prepared that will allow you to cope with the situation quickly, correctly and effectively. The Contingency Plan must be accurate and accessible to all involved at all times.

The Contingency Plan includes:

To designate a crisis team, responsible for traceability, recall and withdrawal.
Internal and external contact lists to quickly reach everyone involved or affected by any incident or crisis
Training and exercises in the company’s routines and instructions on how to handle incidents or crises. Exercises should be as realistic as possible and carried out with the closest business partner in the value chain
This must be easily accessible and may consist of, for example
- a brief overview of crisis teams with their roles and responsibilities
- the company’s internal guidelines for handling incidents / crises
- contact lists
- other relevant documentation that is important to have access to should an incident or crisis occur

See more about the Contingency Plan here Design and contents of a Contingency Plan.

317 Prepare a Risk Analysis

Prepare a Risk Analysis

At the heart of the legislation is the duty of each company to carry out a risk analysis of the health risks the products represent and how the company will relate to this in terms of traceability.

The purpose of the analysis is to reduce / prevent risk through

Withdrawal of products from the market, or
Efficient notification or recall of products from consumer

This assumes that the parties are aware of the risks the products may pose and have a preparedness that ensures that they react quickly, correctly and effectively in unwanted incidents. A Risk Analysis should therefore be performed on new products based on an intended relevant incident, so that it can be implemented as quickly as possible should a real incident occur for the product.

The risk analysis consists of three elements that both the government and industry should work on in an equal way:

Risk Assessment
Risk Management
Risk Communication

See more about risk analysis here Design and content of a Risk Analysis.

147 Purpose of labelling of Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) and Distribution Unit (DU)

Purpose of labelling of Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) and Distribution Unit (DU)

The purpose of a standard for labelling of Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) and Distribution Unit (DU) with subsequent electronic data interchange (EDI) is to:

Achieve an efficient flow of products from manufacturer to consumer
Ensure traceability through the value chain, which is important in case an event or crisis occurs which requires a recall or withdrawal of the product

The basis for this is the labelling of each Distribution Unit (DU) with a unique SSCC.

This code is the main key in the electronic Despatch Advice and is linked to information about which GTIN which the Distribution Unit (DU) consists of, the number of Stock Keeping Units (SKU) batch / lot number and shelf life information if applicable.

SSCC is the most important key for traceability of Distributions Units (DU), see Recommended way to track and trace a product in the value chain.

For that reason SSCC shall not be reused until after a minimum of 6 years.

Efficiency and traceability are achieved primarily through:

Synchronization of product information between the various parts in the value chain.
The purpose is for all players to obtain correct and coherent product information about the products. Between suppliers and retail chains in the Norwegian groceries sector the EPD database is used for the registration, quality assurance and distribution of product information.

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) between the actors.
The purpose is to reduce manual operations and reduce lead time in the value chain. The most widely used EDI messages are order, order confirmation, Despatch Advice and invoice.

Standardized labelling of outer packaging.
The purpose is to contribute to faster and more efficient shipping, distribution and receipt of the products. A common labelling concept for the grocery industry is used here; GS1-128.

To ensure rational product and information flow in the distribution chain, STAND recommends a uniform labelling of Stock Keeping Units (SKU) and Distribution Units (DU).
This simplifies the labelling of the manufacturer / supplier, shipment by shipper / freight forwarders and merchandise at distributor / store.

This labelling concept also applies to types of transport units other than pallets.

For fish and fish products, the following applies:
STAND has decided to refer to Norwegian Standard NS17099:2020 “Information technology — Fishery and aquaculture products — Requirements for labelling of distribution units and pallets in the trade of fishery and aquaculture products” for products that fall under this category. This standard replaces todays NS9405: 2014 “Fish and fish products. Requirements for labelling of distribution units and pallets in the trade of fish and fish products», and is valid as from 30. September 2020.

It can be ordered from Standard Norway.

139 Valid pallets

Valid pallets

This is an animation that show what pallets are valid for distribution.

Requirements specifications can be downloaded here:

Requirements for approved EUR-pallets
Specification for reusable 1/1 plastic pallet
Specification for reusable 1/2 plastic pallet
Requirements specification for reusable 1/3 plastic pallet (from NLP)
Specification for reusable 1/4 plastic pallet
Requirements Specification reusable 1/2 wooden pallet
Requirements specification for 1/3 and 1/2 disposable cardboard pallet

174 Placement of Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) on pallet

Placement of Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) on pallet

It is a prerequisite for maintaining strength, that Stock Keeping Units (SKU) are placed within the edges of the pallet with a small margin.
Devices placed on or outside the edge can cause damage with subsequent reduced carrying capacity / risk of injury.

The pallet area should be utilized as best as possible with products. By following the Modular system optimal use of the pallet is ensured and reduces the risk of the load shifting during transport.

Overhang is not accepted.

172 Requirements for design of Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) and packaging

Requirements for design of Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) and packaging

Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) is the unit the retailer buys.
Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) occurs in various forms, such as carton, reusable box / pallet box, intermediate carton and such.

The most important task of the Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) is to secure Consumer Units (CU) from the time of manufacturing until it is finished exposed in a shop shelf.

The number of Consumer Units (CU) in a Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) is determined by the manufacturer, preferably in dialogue with the distributor / retail chain.

The Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) must be adapted to the modular system, see Modular system

for picking and grouping of products can be done as efficient as possible.

Case fill rate shall be calculated. This is described in Case fill rate

Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) must be designed to withstand the strain required in the value chain.

Automatic warehouses require that Stock Keeping Units (SKU) must be packed in a way that it can be lifted, stacked, clamped and handled with different mechanized devices, see Automated warehouse at distributor – greater understanding of the depalletization process.

Design requirements and packaging

When designing a Stock Keeping Unit (SKU), it must be based on the modular system.
This means that the Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) should not be less than 100 x 150 mm and not more than 400 x 600 mm.

Example of best practices

Modular Stock Keeping Unit (SKU).

Example of an inappropriate Stock Keeping Unit (SKU)

Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) is not adapted to the modular system.

The size of the Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) must consider the size of the shelf space for the current product group.
The short side of the Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) should be front where appropriate.

There must be a simple and clear opening guide, preferably with illustration.

The packaging must be opened without using a knife.

When the Consumer Units (CU) is exposed in the Stock Keeping Unit (SKU), the least possible of the Stock Keeping Unit’s (SKU) packaging should be visible when exposed in the store shelf.

Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) must not weigh more than 15 kg.

Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) must be in recyclable cardboard or plastic.

Example of an inappropriate Stock Keeping Unit (SKU)

Lid / plastic film is missing, which may cause Consumer Unit (CU) to fall out during internal transport.

Plastic boxes – all variants – must be considered to work in automated warehouse handling.

Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) must be form stable.

Example of best practices
Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) is form stable.

Example of best practices
Form stable Stock Keeping Units (SKU) that embraces close to its content and is strong enough to not deform.
Resists load on inbound transport (2 pallets in height), as well as handling through the value chain.

Example of an inappropriate Stock Keeping Unit (SKU)
Not form stable. Do not resist strain on inbound transport (2 pallets in height), as well as handling through the value chain.

Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) that is only wrapped in plastic foil must have a tray / trough below.

Example of best practices
Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) on tray / trough with plastic wrap.

Stock Keeping Units (SKU) must have straight sides.

Example of best practices
Stock Keeping Units (SKU) with straight sides.

Glue quality and amount of glue on Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) must be such that glued surfaces do not loosen.

Example of best practices
Glue quality and amount of glue is such that glued surfaces do not loosen.

Constructed example of an inappropriate Stock Keeping Unit (SKU)
Too little glue / too few glue points are included that flap gaps with subsequent stops in automatic warehouse systems.

The Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) should be stackable and “ears” should only be used where it is necessary for stability.
Should “ears” be used, these should not exceed 5mm and should not be used in conjunction with intermediate pallet sheets.

Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) should not have loose lid.
The lid must be attached to the tray / trough in such a way that it does not loosen during handling. It is recommended to use glue points or a locking mechanism.

The Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) must have a center of gravity relative to the base that allows it to be handled on conveyor belts.
The height / width ratio should be below 1.7 to ensure that the products do not fall under internal transport in an automatic warehouse.

Example of best practices
The ratio height / width is below 1.7.

Example of an inappropriate Stock Keeping Unit (SKU)
The height / width ratio is over 1.7, which means that the Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) can fall during internal transport.

Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) exposure front should not be less than 30 mm, regardless of the chosen solution.
The information on the Consumer Unit (CU) must be visible.

Packaging capacity

During the design of the product and packaging it must be considered that the outer dimensions of the finished Stock Keeping Unit (SKU), tray and otherwise, under the load of the above-mentioned product packaging, due to bulging, is within the margin. In practice, this can be from 0.5 to 1.0 cm.

Optimal transport requires the use of load capacity of the transport systems (weight and height).

Generally, the packaging should be able to carry a similar pallet (2 identical pallets) without any breakage or clamping damage during transport and storage.

Exceptions from this must be specified and labelled on the (Distribution Unit (DU).

Method of calculation of carrying capacity is described in Top load labelling system.

The packaging shall be able to withstand shipping with other products for shipping to the store in a rational way.

In order to achieve the industry’s common goal of efficient flow of products, reduced negative environmental impact, promoted sales and reduced losses, it is important to focus on:

Top load
Stackability
Module customization

Especially for reusable boxes / pallet boxes
Basically, Stock Keeping Units (SKU) is desired in cardboard, or in combination with plastic.

Reusable boxes are an alternative to Stock Keeping Units (SKU) in corrugated paper but must be agreed bilaterally.

Particularly for Intermediate cartons
The use of Intermediate cartons should be kept as low as possible and must be agreed bilaterally.

Intermediate cartons are accepted in cases where the Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) solution is not possible because the Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) does not meet the requirements for strength, stability or size and where the use of intermediate pallet sheet on pallet is not possible.

The intermediate carton must be labelled so that it clearly differs from the Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) and shall not weigh more than 15 kg.

170 Requirements for design of Consumer Unit (CU)

Requirements for design of Consumer Unit (CU)

Consumer Unit (CU) is the unit the consumer purchases in store.

Consumer Unit (CU) must be designed to optimize use of shop shelves and other furnishings. In addition, the information on the Consumer Unit (CU) should be visible even when the package is on a tray on the shelf.

Consumer Unit (CU) should be easy to open and to use.

Consumer Unit (CU) should be, included Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) and Distribution Unit (DU) adapted to the modular system, see Modular system

Unnecessary volume not containing the product itself in the packaging should be limited to what is necessary to protect the product. If necessary, secure against shrinkage (small, valuable Consumer Units (CU)).

Quantity (packing content) in Consumer Unit (CU) is determined by manufacturer, preferably in dialogue with distributor / retail chain.

Case fill rate shall be calculated. This is described in Case fill rate

On new products, it is expected that the case fill rate is higher than the average of the product group to which it belongs.

Measurement of the case fill rate related to the product launch windows was carried out by DMF until 2018. When switching to a new product classification system, historical data could not be compared, as the timeline and product groupings from 2014 were changed.

Efforts to increase the case fill rate in the grocery industry are important from both an environmental and efficiency perspective.

In collaboration with the industry, Tradesolution has developed some new reports for measuring the case fill rate in the grocery industry. Suppliers and retailer chains that have access to the EPD base can see the case fill rate for the products they have access to directly in the database. Here you can see the actual case fill rate on basic product (BASIS-level) and calculated case fill rate for the packaging levels above.

169 Optimization of Consumer Unit (CU), Stock Keeping Unit (SKU), Distribution Unit (DU) and packaging – central to the development of new/changes to existing products

Optimization of Consumer Unit (CU), Stock Keeping Unit (SKU), Distribution Unit (DU) and packaging – central to the development of new/changes to existing products

The grocery industry has a common goal of being able to:

Streamline product flow
Reduce environmental impact
Promote sales
Reduce shrinkage

when products are being developed/changed.

To achieve this, it is crucial to standardize and optimize packaging on the product at all packaging levels – Consumer Unit (CU), Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) and Distribution Unit (DU).

STAND has therefore prepared a standard for this, which applies to all packaging levels.

Audience for the standard is managers and everyone who works with product development, assortment and logistics in the value chain.

By complying with the standard, processes in the value chain are optimized and gains can be extracted in a number of areas such as:

Warehouse

Form Stable Distribution Units (DU) and Stock Keeping Units (SKU)
Correct quality of Distribution Units (DU) and Stock Keeping Units (SKU) for efficient handling through warehouse

Outbound transport

Withstand double stacking
Avoids shrinkage and damage

Inbound transport

High case fill rate
Double stacking of pallets
Avoiding transport damage

Shop

Effective replenishment
Sales-friendly, good visibility when Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) is used to expose products
Optimal use of shelf space
Reduced food waste, with correct number of Consumer Units (CU) in Stock Keeping Unit (SKU)
Reduced food waste, utilising 2D barcodes with dynamic information

Consumer

Optimal and user-friendly packaging
Clear, accurate and complementary product declaration
Recycling labelling
Extended product information utilising 2D barcodes

In addition, optimization of packaging through compliance with the standard will reduce environmental impact at all stages in the value chain, as part of the industry agreement with the authorities.

The packaging must be:

Easy to sort
In order for the packaging to be able to be recycled, it is important that it is sorted correctly by the end user and thus enters the correct recycling stream. There are a number of steps you can take when designing the packaging, which increase the likelihood that it will be sorted correctly. This information is summarized at https://www.grontpunkt.no/design-for-kildesortering

Recyclable
In order for the packaging to be material-recycled and become new raw material that can be used to make new products, it is important that this is taken into account in the packaging design and material selection. To find out how recyclable the packaging is and what steps can be taken to improve this, you can enter the packaging in https://kalkulator.grontpunkt.no

In monomaterial if possible
The easiest way to make it more intuitive for the end user to sort the packaging correctly, and to make it easier to recycle the packaging, is to ensure that the packaging only consists of one material.

From recycled material if possible
Most packaging is recycled, but there is too little demand for recycled material. By using recycled material when developing new packaging, you ensure that the circular material flows work and thus both reduce the need for virgin raw material and the environmental burdens these entail.

Important notice
All products must follow the GS1 Allocation rules. (chapter 2.4). These are international rules and are mainly based on the fact that a change of over 20% to a physical dimension, on any axis, or gross weight, requires assignment of a new GTIN.

In addition, the following applies to Norway:

For products registered in the Tradesolution EPD base, approval of the grocery chains is required to keep existing GTIN on a product, also for changes below 20%
Frequent cumulative changes, without changing the GTIN, in avoidance of the 20% rule is an unacceptable practice. Trading partners should be notified about all dimensional changes. Cumulative changes might cause problems for trading partners and may obstruct the transport and supply of a product
Local, national or regional regulations may require more frequent GTIN changes. Such regulations have precedence over the rules provided within the GTIN Management Standard

Exception from the standard
Under special conditions, exceptions from industry standards and guidelines may be relevant.
Exceptions must be agreed separately between the parties concerned and shall be described in Checklist for optimization of Consumer Unit (CU), Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) and Distribution Unit (DU).

The check list can be downloaded as a separate document.

Mandate

MANDATE AND ROLE FOR STAND – STANDARDIZATION COMMITTEE FOR THE NORWEGIAN GROCERY SECTOR

Background

The committee was established in 1998.

The committee consists of four representatives and four substitute members from each of the organizations DLF (Grocery suppliers of Norway) and DMF AS (Norwegian Grocery Sector’s Environmental Forum). In addition, GS1 Norway has a role as observer. The leader and secretariat are allocated to DLF and DMF and rotate every second year.

The committee has prepared recommendations for the grocery industry, which can be found on STAND’s website www.stand.no .

Mandate

STAND will develop and recommend relevant framework and guidelines contributing to sustainable and effective supply chains in the Norwegian grocery sector*.

This includes topics relevant for the flow of goods and information, such as:

Shared master data, transactions, eCOM, and track & trace
Packaging and labelling
Load carriers and distribution

Matters related to sustainability and food waste must be emphasized in particular.

The committee’s work should as far as possible be based on international standards.

STAND’s recommendations, in terms of standards and guidelines, will be valid when incorporated in the bilateral agreements between the parties.

* The guidelines are developed for use within the grocery sector. Relevant topics are also suitable for use within convenience and catering.

Form of cooperation

STAND operates its activities according to a continuous work program. DLF and DMF propose suggestions on issues that need to be addressed. STAND will strive to ensure that all issues of common interest affecting the entire value chain from manufacturer to consumer are coordinated through STAND. Project and working groups are created are established when needed. If either DLF or DMF want to conduct an internal project before it is presented to STAND, then the counterparty should be informed of this work as early as possible.
STAND produces its own recommendations and coordinates external recommendations that require the approval of DLF and DMF.
STAND puts approved recommendations into practice by publishing on the internet and seminars. The recommendations have a common design to make it clear that they are approved by DLF and DMF.

The standardization process

The standards must be of high quality and developed to be generally accepted in the grocery industry. The work is based on the following routines for the preparation, implementation and follow-up of all recommendations:

STAND defines the work and establishes a project or workgroup
Determining the purpose of the standard
Evaluation of cost/benefit of the initiative.
Anchoring of interested parties through hearings
Quality assurance in DLF and DMF’s workgroups
Determination of implementation date for new standards
Audits will be completed by 1^st September and published
STAND approves the standard and recommends approval by DLF and DMF

The standards must be open and voluntarily in the grocery industry. STAND’s activities and recommendations must always be within the framework of current competition law.

Finance

Each party cover their own costs of participation in STAND.

Projects launched by STAND are financed equally by industry and retail, invoiced by Tradesolution.

Possible participation in international forums on behalf of STAND is agreed separately.

Coordination in the industry

There are currently several persons and committees working with standardization within, or in connection with the grocery value chain. STAND has the responsibility to make the best use of resources through coordinating inputs and ideas, avoiding duplication and strengthening implementation through focusing on measures by uniformly recognizable presentation.

STAND’s standards are posted on the website and other standards such as GS1 are linked from STAND’s website, so industry representatives can find unified standards and guidelines via one single point of entry: www.stand.no

Approved by the board in DMF 30.6.05 and by the board in DLF 31.8.05.
Latest revised September 2023.

The parties may make changes to the mandate if necessary.

176 Checklist for optimization of Consumer Unit (CU), Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) and Distribution Unit (DU)

Checklist for optimization of Consumer Unit (CU), Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) and Distribution Unit (DU)

The checklist is a declaration that the standard is complied with

Download active pdf here.

205 EDI Exchange Agreement

EDI Exchange Agreement

Download the exchange agreement here

322 QR code with GS1 Digital Link

Barcode syntax
The use of GS1 Digital Link

GS1 Digital Link is a standard that has been developed to give consumers an opportunity to find more information about a product by reading the barcode on an item with their mobile phone. GS1 Digital Link can also provide manufacturers with information about where the product is read, in which situations it is read and other additional information about consumer behaviour.

The GS1 Digital Link standard defines several ways to do this.

One can either have an app that is connected to a resolver (a kind of translator) that interprets the content of the barcode and adapts it to what desire or need there is for information in the setting the barcode is read. If you use a resolver, you can read all types of barcodes that contain a GS1 identifier (GTIN, GLN, SSCC, etc.).

You can also use the mobile phone’s built-in camera app to read barcodes that contain a GS1 Digital Link structure, but this sets requirements for the type of barcode used. To be sure that all smartphones on the market can interpret the information, one should use QR Code. This is the barcode type supported by most phones.

In the barcode you enter a URL in addition to GTIN and any additional attributes.

When the barcode is read by the camera app on a smartphone, you will be routed to the website with information about the product that is entered in the barcode.

If you use an app with a resolver, the URL that is entered in the barcode can be replaced with the URL that is entered in the resolver so that the reader can get the corrected information depending on which options are available in the app used.

Size of the barcode

The physical size of a 2D barcode varies according to the amount of information contained in it. The resolution of the barcode (X-dimension) must be a minimum of 0.375mm and a maximum of 0.990mm when using GS1 AI syntax in the barcode on Consumer unit.

The resolution of the barcode (X-dimension) must be a minimum of 0.396 and a maximum of 0.990mm when using GS1 Digital Link URI syntax in the barcode on consumer unit.

Quality and life span of the barcode
2D barcodes are verified according to the ISO standard ISO / IEC 15415. This is an international standard that describes the quality requirements for barcodes and how easy they are to read. Highest grade is 4.0 / 20/660. The minimum requirement is 1.5 / 20/660. The numbers indicate; character / aperture / wavelength of the light illuminating the barcode.

The service life of a barcode depends on the type of label material used and where / how the label is placed on the product. Label material / printing method must be chosen that has at least as long a shelf life as the assessed shelf life of the product to be labelled.

Placement of the barcode on the product

If 2 barcodes are placed on the product, a linear and a 2D barcode for use in POS or a linear and a GS1 Digital Link for consumer engagement or two 2D barcodes for both POS and consumer engagement, efforts should be made to place them adjacent on the packaging. This ensures that the barcode is read regardless of which barcode contains what you want to read. Programming the barcode scanners to ignore the type of code that should not be read will prevent erroneous readings.

Readability of the barcode

The readability of the barcode depends on the size of the barcode, the type of barcode reader and the distance from the barcode to the barcode reader. If the requirements for size and quality are followed, this is in accordance with industry standards and the barcodes can be read at a normal distance with normal equipment.

QR Code with GS1 Digital Link syntax for consumer engagement

For those manufacturers who wish to have a structured way of communicating with consumers, it is QR Code with GS1 Digital Link structure that should be used. By using GS1 Digital Link structure with GTIN coded in, it opens for all links in the value chain to provide targeted information to the person scanning the barcode. The consumer can obtain all available information from the manufacturer and / or the trade link. This is a barcode that can be read by most smartphones with its built-in camera app. In addition, consumers are used to the fact that QR Code can be read with the smartphone and give them more information. By splitting the information to be used for POS purposes and consumer-oriented communication, the QR Code with information to the consumer can also be pre-printed on the packaging and this will reduce the need for changes to the production equipment.

QR Code with consumer-oriented information can also be placed on the packaging together with the current EAN-13 barcode where it is not yet possible or desirable to have a 2D barcode with dynamic information for POS purposes.

321 GS1 Datamatrix Element String barcode

Barcode syntax – The use of GS1 Element String (Application Identifiers (AI))

GS1 application identifiers (AI) are numeric prefixes used in barcodes to define the meaning of and syntax of information elements. AIs makes it possible to separate different information elements from one another in a barcode. In the text below or next to a barcode, these appear as numbers in parentheses and the content of the individual AI follows accordingly. A GS1 barcode is required to use AIs.

GS1 has defined over 100 application identifiers (AIs). Each application identifier is a standard two-, three- or four-digit number code. For the full list of GS1 application identifiers and their definitions, see section 3.2 of the GS1 General Specification.

Barcode with AI 15 for «Best before date».

Barcode with AI 17 for «Expiry date».

Barcode size

The resolution of the barcode (X-dimension) must be a minimum of 0.396 and a maximum of 0.990mm when using GS1 Digital Link URI syntax in the barcode on a consumer unit.

Barcode quality and life span

2D barcodes are verified according to the ISO standard ISO / IEC 15415. This is an international standard that describes the quality requirements for barcodes and the readability. Highest grade is 4.0 / 20/660. The minimum requirement is 1.5 / 20/660. The numbers indicate; character / aperture / wavelength of the light illuminating the barcode.

The life span of a barcode depends on the type of label material used and where / how the label is placed on the product. Label material / printing method must be chosen that has at least as long a shelf life as the assessed shelf life of the product to be labelled.

Placement of the barcode on the product

If 2 barcodes are placed on the product, a linear and a 2D barcode for use in POS or a linear and a GS1 Digital Link for consumer communication or two 2D barcodes for both POS and consumer communication, efforts should be made to place them adjacent on the packaging. This ensures that the barcode is read regardless of which barcode contains what you want to read. Programming the barcode scanners to ignore the type of code that should not be read will prevent erroneous readings.

Readability of the barcode

GS1 Datamatrix with Element String (AI’s) syntax for POS purposes

The GS1 AI structure is the same solution that is used to structure data used in the GS1-128 barcode on Trading units and pallets today. This solution will fill all the needs of the industry to get better traceability right down to the checkout (POS) and it provides the necessary information to get better shelf-life control, and to automatic price down products that are approaching the expiration date in time to minimize food waste in stores. A minimum information width has been defined for POS purposes.

This is:

GTIN
Best before date or Expiry date
Batch/lot nr.
Net Weight (for variable measure products).

This does not mean that other information elements cannot be entered in the barcode, but this will increase the physical size of the barcode. It is not necessary to have all the information in human readable text next to or below the barcode if this information is elsewhere on the label. However, it is recommended that the minimum GTIN is in human readable text in connection with the barcode (as the example on the right).

206 Use of EDI in the retail trade

Use of EDI in the retail trade

EDI – Electronic Data Interchange – is used in the retail industry to exchange commercial documents like Order, Order Receipt, Order Confirmation, Despatch Advice, Invoice and Invoice Receipt.

EDI can be performed in various ways, from fully automated processes both at customer and supplier, to web solutions where information is registered manually.

EDI is used for all distribution types.

Overview of EDI messages and in which processes they are used

Which EDI messages to use will vary with the distribution type.

An overview of this, along with deadlines for when the messages are to be sent, are described in EDI message, type of distribution and deadlines.

Before using EDI, it is necessary to clarify which messages to be used, message formats, exchange methods, electronic message addresses, etc. This documented the EDI Exchange agreement.
This document also specifies other bilateral issues related to the exchange of EDI messages.

To ensure that both parties and all business functions are familiar with all bilateral agreements, it is crucial that the EDI Exchange Agreement is used actively.

How to get started with EDI is described in Implement EDI in the retail trade.

In order to start using EDI, trading documents must be translated into an EDI format.
The following formats are available:

Revisions of the EDI formats, is documented in Change log current version vs. past versions

204 Create documentation, send and receive EDI Despatch Advice

Create documentation, send and receive EDI Despatch Advice

Develop documentation

STAND makes no direct claim to any documentation that will accompany or document a delivery, as well as the fact that the EDI Despatch Advice is always to be used for distributors or Crossdock deliveries.

For deliveries direct to retailer, there should bilaterally be agreed if the EDI Despatch Advice is to be sent.

It is nevertheless understood that there may be a need for documentation beyond this, such as consignment, transport documents or other accompanying documentation.

In certain types of deliveries or in given situations there may also be legal requirements for which documentation that shall follow the shipment.

The parties must bilaterally agree what documentation is required in addition to the EDI Despatch Advice.

Send Despatch Advice

When the supplier has picked, labelled and clarified delivery for pick-up (at delivery condition Ex Works) at the agreed time and place, the Despatch Advice shall be sent in accordance with deadline.

One Despatch Advice should only include one order. Exceptions to this may occur at Crossdock.

The Despatch Advice should refer to previous orders.

Despatch Advice shall contain only the products and the quantity delivered.

Exceptions to this may occur at Crossdock, but this must be agreed bilaterally.

Distribution Units (DU) must be identified with SSCC (Serial Shipping Container Code) and this information must be sent in the Despatch Advice.

SSCC is the most important tracking key and associates the individual products in the delivery up to which pallet products are located.

The Despatch Advice is shipped with different details of information, depending on which pallet type the delivery consists of or what has been agreed bilaterally.

Normally, what applies:

Standard pallet must be sent at level 3
Mixed pallet must be sent at level 3
Customer packed pallets must be sent at Level 4
Promotional Unit must be sent at level 4. Level 3 can be agreed bilaterally

For Promotional Units, the following formulation applies from STAND:

«The grocery industry has a common goal that all deliveries should be traceable as far as possible through the entire value chain. For Promotional Units, this is achieved only by labelling each Promotion Unit with a unique identifier (SSCC) and include it in the Despatch Advice sent to the retail chain. This ensures traceability all the way to the store.

Today, it is variable practices in suppliers on which level of Despatch Advice is used on Promotional Units. The goal is that the industry part will prepare the systems for sending and using Level 4 of Despatch Advice on Promotional Units before the end of 2019 ».

For those who use TakeCargo for transport, the following applies:

The sender’s consignment number must be sent in the Despatch Advice.
In Norway, GS1 GINC (Global Identification Number for Consignment) is used as the unique identification of the individual consignment. Documentation of structure can be found at gs1.no.
The GS1 GINC is preferably used by the transporter. From the the customers, a transport instruction is sent to the carrier (via TakeCargo) which describes the shipment itself. In the transport instructions, the GS1 GINC must be included. It is a requirement that the GS1 GINC sent in the Despatch Advice message is also affixed to the transport documents handed over to the carrier when the products are collected.

Despatch Advice can also be sent to the load carrier (eg NLP) with information about the number of pallets of each pallet type included in the pallet exchange scheme.
This information enables automatic pallet balance update between customer and supplier.
The use of a Despatch Advice for the update of cargo information must be agreed with a cargo carrier before it is taken into service.

The Despatch Advice can also indicate the number of pallet places the delivery requires in transport. This information allows the distributor at Ex Works to calculate the transport needs, thereby sending the correct size of the lorry when the delivery is to be picked up.

Receive Despatch Advice

Upon receipt of a Despatch Advice, the customer can plan and prepare products receipt.
The use of Despatch Advice simplifies products receipt and contains, in addition to other information, traceability information on the products.

The Despatch Advice number must be unique to each Despatch Advice sent from the supplier.
The buyer shall reject a Despatch Advice with a number that has been received and processed earlier.

How the Despatch Advice is used by the customer in internal systems is not covered by STAND guidelines.

202 Confirm order

Confirm order

Manage orders and send Order Confirmation

Upon receipt of an order, the supplier shall check that the order complies with the bilateral agreements specified in the EDI Exchange Agreement.

Deadline for sending an Order Confirmation

An Order Confirmation must be sent no later than 3 hours after the order stop time. If not possible to meet the 3-hour deadline, it can be agreed bilaterally what the deadline should be.

For deliveries with order and pick up the same day, bilateral deadlines apply.

Bilateral deadlines must be agreed in writing.

Check for delivery ability

The expected delivery must be confirmed in the Order Confirmation. This means that it must be checked for deliverability.

An Order Confirmation must be sent that confirms what the supplier with a high degree of probability expects will be delivered. The distributor is aware of that there may be a discrepancy between what is confirmed delivered and what is actually delivered. In the case of repeated deviations over time, the parties will enter into a dialogue about how the this can be corrected, in a constructive and flexible way.

It must not be confirmed more than originally ordered without agreement.

When checking for delivery ability, consideration shall be taken regarding any bilateral agreements that allow products to be delivered which, under normal conditions, do not meet the requirements for the distribution of total shelf life between the players. See The establishment of bilateral agreements for the assessment of shelf life

Products that are not covered by a bilateral agreement must have a remaining shelf life that satisfies the requirements for distribution between the players as specified in Table for assessment of shelf life of a product.

Information to be sent for products that are temporarily sold out

If a product is temporarily sold out, it is a request from the distributors that the date for when the product is expected back for sale can be sent in the Order Confirmation. However, this must be agreed bilaterally.

If the supplier does not have systems that can provide this in the Order Confirmation, this information must be exchanged in other bilaterally agreed ways. By exchanging information about when a temporarily out-of-stock product is expected to be available for sale, this can be used actively in the order.

Reservation of quantity for order confirmation

When the order confirmation is sent, the supplier must reserve the quantity that is confirmed delivered to the current order.

Confirmed quantity versus what can be delivered at delivery time

If the order confirmation confirms a quantity that differs from what has been ordered, it is what is stated in the order confirmation that will be included in the delivery to the buyer.

This also applies if the supplier in the meantime will be able to deliver the ordered products.

Requirements for order confirmation

The order confirmation must be sent by EDI
One order confirmation shall be sent per order
The order confirmation must be sent within the deadline
The order confirmation shall provide a code that gives the customer a quick understanding of the status of the order. One of the following codes must be sent:
- The order is accepted and delivered in full
- The order is accepted, but can not be delivered in full
- The order is accepted, but contains one or more product numbers that have expired
- The order is accepted, but contains one or more product numbers that are unknown
- The order is accepted and checked for product information, however inventory information / delivery ability is not verified
- The order is accepted, but there is an error on a line with an undefined reason
- The order is rejected (usually due to syntactic errors in the order itself)

For Crossdock, the following feedback applies in addition to the above:

- The order is accepted, but the quantity on a line is reduced by agreement with the final customer

A new order confirmation can not be sent to replace a previous order confirmation, even if the delivery situation changes

Receive and process order confirmation

An order confirmation is an end of the procurement process, and the customer should therefore not respond to the order confirmation even though this should have changed according to the order.

The order confirmation number from the supplier must be unique. Recipient shall reject an order confirmation with an order confirmation number received and processed earlier.

How the order confirmation is used by the customer in internal systems is not covered by the STAND guidelines.

201 Order

Order

Send order

An order is sent in the form of an EDI order, and specifies products / services ordered under the terms agreed between seller and buyer.

The order shall fulfil bilateral agreements specified in the EDI exchange agreement.

The order includes buyer and seller, product, quantity, desired delivery date and place of delivery.

The order must be sent in accordance with the agreed order stop time.

Possible corrections that can be made on an order after it has been sent:

Cancellation of the order can be done in the following alternative ways:
- It is agreed on the telephone that the supplier must send an EDI order confirmation, with 0 in the amount on all product lines
- It is agreed on the telephone that the order is manually deleted in the system of both parties
Additional Orders for delivery at the same time as the main order must be made within the agreed order stop time for the main delivery. This is done by placing an ordinary EDI order on the products and quantities to be ordered as well.
Amendments on a dispatched order can be made in the following alternative ways:
- It is agreed that an EDI order confirmation will be sent with 0 on the item lines to be changed, upon which a new EDI order will be sent on the item lines that should be changed
- It is agreed on the phone that the original order is deleted, and that a new EDI order will be sent
- It is agreed on the telephone that an EDI order confirmation will be sent with 0 on all product lines, and there will then be sent a new EDI order

Special relationships related to order
The order number should be unique to each order sent from a buyer.
The supplier must reject an order where the order number is received and processed earlier.

For certain products, there is a bilateral agreement on how to split shelf life between the parties. Look to The establishment of bilateral agreements for the assessment of shelf life.

For EXW delivery terms, the rules dictate one order should only include one delivery from one pick-up point to one place of delivery and one desired delivery date.

For delivery terms where the supplier is responsible for transportation, the same applies, except that the order may contain deliveries from multiple locations.

Receipt of orders and return of order receipt
The supplier, if agreed upon in the EDI Exchange Agreement, shall return an EDI order receipt immediately after the order is received.

Order receipt has the function of confirming to the customer that the supplier has received the order. Order receipt contains no information on whether the customer receives the ordered products.

Receive order receipt
Upon reception of order receipt, it provides the customer with an assurance that the order was received by the supplier.

How order receipt is further used by the customer in internal systems is not covered by the guideline.

196 Submission of products for control measurement at EPD Checkpoint

Submission of products for control measurement at EPD Checkpoint

Deadline for submission of a control measurement product at EPD Checkpoint / Tradesolution is Friday in U-3 (Timeline A8).

See process description at: www.tradesolution.no
Current deadlines are available in section for downloads.

195 Product images in Tradesolutions MediaStore

Product images in Tradesolutions MediaStore

Product images of all new products should according to the timeline be available in Tradesolutions MediaStore within U-3.

See process description at: www.tradesolution.no
Current deadlines are available in section for downloads.

191 Order from distributor and delivery to retailer (A6-A10 in timeline)

Order from distributor and delivery to retailer (A6-A10 in timeline)

Distributor will order no later than Tuesday in U-3 to meet expected needs – for pipeline fill and sales in start-up week.

If both parties wish for a different order flow, deviations may be agreed, however, obligations are in accordance with volume confirmation A4.

The order is based on the chain planograms and / or other systems.

The order’s pick-up / delivery time shall provide the supplier with the maximum amount of time required to ensure total coverage and possible discrepancy while safeguarding the cost-effective flow of products to the distributor.

Current deadlines are available in section for downloads.

189 Launch shall not be postponed

Launch shall not be postponed

Launch will not be subject to major deviations between forecast (A4 in timeline) and actual ordering. In general, product news should be ready for pick-up from supplier from Monday U-2, or at the agreed time.

188 Routine of unannounced delays

Routine of unannounced delays

Any delay must be notified immediately with the information available at the time of notification. Message must be sent to the department of category / purchase and department of logistics.

Notification of postponement after U-6, or at delays longer than Monday U1, is handled by routine for unannounced delays.
The products can be ordered according to plan.
The supplier confirms reduced delivery capacity for regular order confirmation in U-3, (A6.1 in timeline)
Customer may determine any delayed delivery date at the latest in U-1. Customer can be released from assortment obligation (A3 in timeline)
Assessment and decision on response if deviations occur are handled by the individual retail chain.

187 Routine at delays

Routine of notified delays (A7 in timeline)

Any delay must be notified immediately with the information available at the time of notification. Message must be sent to the department of category / purchase and the department of logistics.

Supplier confirms delivery capacity of complete delivery in U-6. If the supplier is not able to deliver, is currently notified new delivery date, (same to all customers, given compliance with other deadlines)
The supplier confirms the final delivery date in U-3. Actual postponement / postponed launch time should be equal to all customers, given compliance with routines / deadlines in this standard. Volume is distributed based on supplier’s forecast to chain timeline A4. Time deviations that do not affect product at retailer Monday week 0, must be resolved. If the delay exceeds three weeks, ie longer than Monday week 1, the routine applies to unannounced delays, see below.
Deferred delivery date is considered in order sent in U-3 (A6).
The deferral is dealt with in the evaluation of launch, bilaterally between supplier and customer.

183 Forecast and delivery confirmation (A4 in timeline)

Forecast and delivery confirmation (A4 in timeline)

In the case of inventory-managed in-phasing, the replacement product will most often have the same sales volume and profile as the outgoing product. There will normally be no need for own forecasts but close dialogue about in-phasing time.

With time-managed in-phasing, the forecast is divided into three and determined by the supplier:

Pipeline fill
Calculation based on customer information about listing / number of locations (warehouse and shelves) and amount per location cf. timeline A3. 2.

Consumer purchases
Expressed as the number of Stock Keeping Units (SKU) per week given listing.

Campaigns
Retail chains wishing to carry out campaigns on new products follow the retail chain’s regular deadlines regarding. script, forecast / pre-order.

Supplier must confirm delivery capacity in U-6.

Tradesolution has developed a portal for the exchange of sales forecasts between supplier and distributor, initially for new launches and assortment changes.

REMA and COOP use this solution, while Norgesgruppen / ASKO uses its own supplier portal.

Example of screenshot from the forecast portal

181 Time-managed or inventory-managed assortment change

Time-managed or inventory-managed assortment change

Assortment change can be done inventory-managed or time-managed.

Inventory-managed assortment change means that outgoing products are sold until inventory is at a low level or sold out and then sales of the new product starts.

In the case of inventory-managed assortment change, new products will replace an outgoing item and / or take over its place in the shelf – link / product connection is used. Sales start will depend on inventory and sales on outgoing item. The supplier and the retail chain must agree which stocks are included and calculate the date of the transition. Campaigns or other steps to make the change can be agreed. It is normal to set a final deadline for the delivery of the outgoing item.

Inventory-managed assortment change significantly reduces the risk of empty shelves and losses throughout the value chain and should be chosen if possible.

Optimal inventory-managed assortment change requires close collaboration between supplier and individual wholesaler, including dialogue on inventories and sales development. It will not be pre-orders from wholesaler in U-3 if inventory-managed in-phase is used. Order and startup are bilaterally agreed.

Time-managed assortment change implies that a date for the start of sale of products is set. Time-managed assortment change is selected when inventory-managed is not optimal, eg by phasing in products that receive heavy sales support or where the physical attributes of the product require rebuilding of shelves. With time-managed in-phase, relevant wholesale warehouses and stores must be filled up at the same time. The volume for this is significant and must be calculated separately – referred to as «pipeline fill»

News to be distributed in several trading chains is launched in one of the industry’s joint launch time frames.

180 Product presentation (A2 in the timeline)

Product presentation (A2 in the timeline)

In the meeting where product news is presented, the supplier presents its news and suggestions for product range changes together with:

Retail chain agreement form (incl. price)
Finished PRICAT message
Product samples (preferably before the planning phase)
Proposals for assortment codes
Proposed phase-in approach (time-managed or inventory-managed)
Proposed delisting (time-managed or inventory-managed)
News summary (in some retail chains)

179 Master data registration in EPD (A1 and A3.1 in timeline) and control measuring at EPD Checkpoint (A8 in timeline)

Master data registration in EPD (A1 and A3.1 in timeline) and control measuring at EPD Checkpoint (A8 in timeline)

Any meetings shall be arranged in a reasonable time. Both parties must contribute to ongoing dialogue

The supplier must register sufficient master data in the EPD database for the product to be assigned an EPD number. This is phase 1 of master data registration, and must occur at the latest in U-15 (timeline A1).

Remaining relevant basic data information according to defined information width must be registered in the U-6 (timeline A3.1) after assortment verification). This is phase 2 of master data registration.

Deadline for submission of a control measurement product at EPD Checkpoint / Tradesolution is Friday in U-3 (Timeline A8).

Reference is also made to the process description on www.tradesolution.no.

177 The top load labelling system

The top load labelling system

Recommendation for industry and retailers
The system ensures that there is a minimum of product damage and to enable automated and efficient load planning throughout the industry.

It is recommended to the industry to work with its suppliers with the aim of maximizing the quantity of products satisfying the recommendation and that all products are labelled with permission top load.

Part A
Cost-effective transport requires optimal utilization of the factors capacity, weight and volume. The ratio between the average weight of the products and the volume is essentially such that trucks can be fully utilized. However, the reality is that due to different heights on the pallets it is not possible to load trucks and containers in such a way that the volume is utilized. This implies significant and unnecessary additional costs in the supply chain.

Developing a common system to determine the load a pallet can withstand based on the optimal use of packaging consumption will result that the entire industry can achieve better transport utilization and thereby a significant cost reduction, also in a national economic perspective, and contribute to positive environmental impact.

Prerequisites
The system is based on the following assumptions:

Secondary packaging shall protect primary packaging and the product during storage, handling and transportation until the product is made available to the consumer at the store
The packaging must withstand the dynamic load by placing two pallets of products on top of each other in real transport conditions.
The industry is responsible for developing proper packaging for its products through a conscious commitment to total economic optimization. Safety factor determined by the product manufacturer

Labelling
When using the top load labelling system, STAND recommends that a pallet should be able to withstand its own weight by labelling the pallets with an additional information with maximum top load.

With permissible top load is understood, the weight of the pallet which can be placed on top of a specified pallet should withstand. The pallet should withstand the top load weight without the packaging or the products in the packaging on the underlying pallet being damaged during normal handling and transport.
Note that there is a specific weight to be specified and not a weight class. The use of single weights provides the greatest flexibility and thus the ability to optimize the utilization of the carrier’s loading capacity.

Allowed top load to be labelled is as follows:

As part of the standard pallet label (GS1 pallet or product label with its own section)
On transport label (GS1 transport label with separate section)
On your own label (exception when it is not practical with a) or b).

Transport label with top load information:

Pallet label with top load information:

PART B
Packaging design
It is recommended that it is how the finished Distribution Unit (DU) / pallet should look like, is the starting point. Then create the design and development of Stock Keeping Units (SKU) and Consumer Units (CU) on this. Close collaboration with space management is required for the optimal design of the products in the store shelves.

Strength calculation
It is assumed that the Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) strength calculation is normally performed to withstand pressure loads, see PART C.
Practical testing may be the only way to determine the packaging’s ability to withstand pressure loads.

Compression test
For all packaging except for a single corrugated cardboard box where calculation may be sufficient, it is assumed that a compression test of Stock Keeping Units (SKU) and Stock Keeping Units (SKU) filled with Consumer Units (CU), regardless of whether Consumer Units (CU) will provide a portion of the load capacity, is assumed.

Norwegian cardboard suppliers have developed their own calculation and test procedures for corrugated cardboard.
For other packaging, manufacturers’ standards, possibly an independent test institute, are used, see PART C.

Safety factor
To reach the maximum permitted top load for a packaging unit and for a pallet of units, consideration must be given to all matters relating to design, materials and applications.
This happens in practice by reducing calculated values by a percentage reduction for different conditions that weaken the packaging.
In addition, a safety factor depends on transport conditions that will compensate for any unforeseen impacts such as the packaging and the pallet may be exposed on its way.
See PART C for more detailed information.

Transportation test
It is recommended that the system in each company contain requirements for transport testing as standard.
In all cases, where there is a new or normative package and for all cases where the consequences of breakage may be particularly large, a transportation test is performed to ensure that the product behaves as provided, even under unfavorable conditions.

A transportation test must therefore be carried out in an environment which will cause the packaging to be subjected to at least the impacts that normal transportation will have.
This is the responsibility of the industry / supplier.

Cost

Upgrading the efforts around packaging development
IT system for load scheduling with efficient use of top load information
Upgrade of labelling equipment

Savings

Reduced shipping costs
Reduced breakage
Reduced return transport
Fewer errors and corrections during development of packaging
Correct placement of the products in warehouse

PART C
Strength calculation (Example)

Safety factor
There are several factors that affect the choice of safety factor for transport. These can be divided into the following main groups;

the packaging itself
how the packaging is stacked on the pallet (pallet pattern)
the location of the packaging on the pallet (overhang/underhang)
environmental impacts from temperature

The correct safety factor is the responsibility of the product manufacturer.

The security factor must consider conditions that cannot be predicted and thus easily establish the calculations.
Therefore, with the use of a safety factor, it is necessary to assess whether the relevant requirement is within normal transport and handling or not. Determining the safety factor is a relationship between the packaging manufacturer and the product manufacturer, but it is the product manufacturer who is responsible for ensuring that there is no breakage during transport to the consumer.

Sample of security factor
The factor may be set to SF = 3.5. This means that if the packaging is specified to withstand a pressure load of 350kg, it will be approved and marked for 100kg load
under the type of dynamic conditions that occur during normal transportation and handling in Norway.

The packaging
The starting point for the strength of the packaging is the choice of material and construction.
A weak material can be designed to give a high strength construction, and a strong material may be impaired by choice for wrong purposes (incompatible materials), improper processing (stress, fracture or cracking), poor knowledge, etc.
This applies to perforation, tape, pressure that compresses the wave (“flute”) on corrugated cardboard, affixing labels etc.

In addition, especially moisture will weaken the packaging and thereby the strength significantly.

Reduction of strength due to these conditions will normally be part of the work performed by the packaging supplier as part of the development work.

Pallet pattern

There are in principle two different ways to stack products on a pallet (pallet patterns); bond stacking pattern and column stacking pattern.

Bond stacking means that the units on each layer are different than the ones above and under, thus locking each other to a greater or lesser extent, but it reduces the compressive strength by approx. 40 %.

Column stacking means stacking packages on top of each other without overlapping with other packages. This form of stacking gives maximum strength in terms of pressure load due to that the corners are bigger breach stiffness than the sides, but the stack gives poor stability without additional use of stretch film, strap, ribbon or similar.

171 Case fill rate

Case fill rate

Case fill rate expresses the ratio of volume of product (measured in volume) to the volume of packaging.
The packaging system consists of Consumer Unit (CU) and Stock Keeping Unit (SKU).

Example of case fill rate measurement for a bottle (Consumer Unit (CU)):

Unnecessary volume in the packaging of products is cost-driving and an impact on the environment throughout the value chain.
Therefore, all products must be optimized so that the degree of case fill rate and circulation ensures:

Good turnover of products in store
Little food waste (the size of the Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) must be adjusted to turnover and shelf life)
Minimal environmental impact

This animation shows how case fill rates are calculated for different products

More about the case fill rate, and more examples of how the case fill rate is calculated, can be found on the Tradesolution website, www.tradesolution.no.

110 Listing, all information attributes, forecast and delivery ability

Listing, all information attributes, forecast and delivery ability

This sub process consists of points (A3-A5 in timeline):

Feedback on listing / main assortment and confirmation of delivery ability
Time-managed or inventory-managed assortment change
Master data registration – completion of complete information attributes
Forecast and delivery confirmation (A4 in timeline)
Routine for delay from supplier / private label
Assortment changes outside agreed time frame

109 Master data registration and product presentation

The process describes the flow of information and the physical flow of the product.
This is illustrated in a timeline.

149 Product information on Distribution Unit (DU), with example of Distribution Unit (DU) label

Product information on Distribution Unit (DU), with example of Distribution Unit (DU) label

The standard differs on different types of pallets depending on the content.

Only Standard pallet and Promotional Unit can provide a clear labelling of product information that applies to the entire pallet.

Standard pallet
A Distribution Unit (DU) containing the same product (same GTIN) with fixed count of Stock Keeping Units (SKU) and where labelling of unique product information on the Distribution Unit (DU) is possible.

It is recommended that a Standard pallet only contain Stock Keeping Units (SKU) with the same batch / lot number and shelf life date.

There are two different types of Standard pallet:

Standard pallet with height 120 cm
Standard pallet with height 60 cm (Standard Pallet – Low)

Standard pallet – Low is used for low-frequency products and for products with short shelf life.

A product can only be used on one type of Standard pallet, either 120 cm height or 60 cm height.

Standard pallet with height 120 cm

Standard pallet with height 60 cm (Standard pallet – Low)

Standard pallet shall be labelled with product and transport information.

Since product information and transportation information are usually known at different times, the practical solution is to label the device with two different labels:

Product information label (incl. SSCC)
Label with transport information

Product information on the GS1 product label for Standard pallet

SSCC (License Plate)
Must be labelled with GS1-128 AI 00 on the GS1 Product label on each Standard pallet in human readable text and in the bar code. The SSCC provides a unique identification of each Distribution Unit (DU). Because of traceability a SSCC shall not be reused until after a minimum of 6 years.

The bar code containing the SSCC should be the lowest bar code on the label. It is recommended to have a bar code containing only the SSCC and no other AI’s.

GTIN – Global Trade Item Number
Standard pallet must be labelled with GTIN. This can be done in the following ways:

Primarily, GTIN for the Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) should be used
GS1-128 AI 02 must be used. The count of Stock Keeping Units (SKU) is also required on the Distribution Unit (DU) using GS1-128 AI 37
The Distribution Unit’s (DU) own unique GTIN can also be used, using GS1-128 AI 01.

Product name
The product’s name must be written in human readable text on the Distribution Unit’s (DU) product label. Product name must be based on the text in the Norwegian grocery data pool – EPD database, and consists of product name, attributes, and product description. The product description labelled on the Distributions Unit (DU) must correspond to the text in the Despatch Advice and the invoice.

Batch / lot number.
GS1-128 AI 10 is generated by the manufacturer and used to track the product back to specific production series.

If all Stock Keeping Units (SKU) on the pallet have the same batch / lot number, this is indicated on the label in human readable text and bar code. If the pallet contains Stock Keeping Units (SKU) with different batch / lot numbers, batch / lot number is omitted on the label. However, all unique batch / lot numbers must be stated in the electronic Despatch Advice.

Shelf life information
GS1-128 AI 15 should be labelled on all Distribution Units (DU) that contain Consumer Unit (CU) with “Best before date” printed on them.
Alternatively, the expiration date (GS1-128 AI 17) may be used for shelf life marking.

Net weight (in grams)
GS1-128 AI 3103 shall be used for variable measure products. Net weight means weight of product excluding packaging (the same weight that is being invoiced).

Gross weight (in whole kg)
Shall be labelled in human readable text on each Distribution Unit (DU). Gross weight means weight of products, packaging and pallet (load carrier).

Max. top load (in whole kg)
Must be labelled in human readable text.
Distribution Units (DU) that can not be stacked (in transport or storing) are marked with: Cannot be stacked (Kan ikke stables).

Temperature requirements
shall be labelled in human readable text if the product has a temperature requirement.

Product labelling on Standard pallet

Overview of product information that shall or may be labelled on Standard pallet:
Information	Human readable text	GS1-128 (bar code)	AI	Format
SSCC (License Plate)¹⁾	Must be labelled	Must be labelled	00	n2 + n18
GTIN for the Distribution Unit (DU)²⁾	Can be labelled	Can be labelled	01	n2 + n14
GTIN for the contained Stock Keeping Units (SKU)	Must be labelled	Must be labelled	02	n2 + n14
Count of Stock Keeping Units (SKU) on the DU	Must be marked except when DU is defined as an SKU	Must be marked except when DU is defined as an SKU	37	n2 + n..8
Product name	Must be labelled	Not labelled
Batch / lot number³⁾	Must be labelled	Must be labelled	10	n2 + an..20
Best before date⁴⁾	Must be labelled if Consumer Unit (CU) has printed best before date	Must be labelled if Consumer Unit (CU) has printed best before date	15	n2 + n6
Net weight	Must be labelled for products of variable measure	Must be labelled for products of variable measure	3103	n4 + n6
Gross weight	Must be labelled	Can be labelled	3300	n4 + n6
Max. top load	Must be labelled	Not labelled
Temperature requirements	Must be labelled if the product has temperature requirements	Not labelled
1) SSCC shall be indicated on the product label but permitted on both labels provided that the same number is used. 2) Can be used in a case for a transitional period. 3) If Batch / Lot No. is omitted on the Stock Keeping Unit (SKU), or it is different Batch / Lot No. on the Stock Keeping Units (SKU) this should not be labelled on the Distribution Unit (DU). 4) Alternatively, the expiration date (GS1-128 AI 17) may be used for shelf life marking.

Example on the GS1 product label for Standard pallet

Promotional Unit

A Unit defined as a Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) containing a fixed number of Consumer Unit (CU), intended for display in stores.

Promotional Unit can be 1/1 pallet, 1/2 pallet or 1/3 pallet.

Each Promotional Unit has its own load carrier.

Promotional Unit consisting of 1/2 pallet or 1/3 pallet are placed on a slave pallet. This constitutes a transport unit.

If slave pallet is omitted, this must be agreed bilaterally. For example, for 1/2 pallets with good stability, they can be tied together and exclude the slave pallet. This allows for better use of the pallet by increasing the Promotional Unit, thus allowing more items on the pallet.

Promotional Units are labelled with two levels of SSCC:

At the lowest level is labelled with Product label for Promotional Unit as a Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) with the addition of SSCC. The product label is labelled on each Promotional Unit.
The whole Promotional Unit is labelled with Standard shipping label for the groceries sector. If the Promotional Unit is a 1/1 pallet, this is labelled as a Standard pallet.

Labelling of Promotional Units provides increased traceability in the value chain

Product information on the GS1 product label for Promotional Unit

SSCC (License Plate)
Must be labelled with GS1-128 AI 00 on the GS1 Product label on each Promotional Unit in human readable text and in the bar code. The SSCC provides a unique identification of each Distribution Unit (DU). Because of traceability a SSCC shall not be reused until after a minimum of 6 years.

The bar code containing the SSCC should be the lowest bar code on the label. It is recommended to have a bar code containing only the SSCC and no other AI’s.

GTIN – Global Trade Item Number
Promotional Unit must be labelled with GTIN. This can be done in the following ways:

Primarily, GTIN for the Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) should be used
GS1-128 AI 01 must be used

Batch / lot number
GS1-128 AI 10 is generated by the manufacturer and used to track the product back to specific production series.

If all Stock Keeping Units (SKU) on the Distribution Unit (DU) have the same batch / lot number, this is indicated on the label in plain text and bar code. If the Distribution Unit (DU) contains Stock Keeping Units (SKU) with different batch / lot numbers, batch / lot number is omitted on the label. However, all unique batch / lot numbers must be stated in the electronic Despatch Advice.

Shelf life information
GS1-128 AI 15 should be labelled on all Distribution Units (DU) that contain Consumer Unit (CU) with “Best before date” printed on them.
Consumer Unit (CU). Alternatively, the expiration date (GS1-128 AI 17) may be used for shelf life marking.

Net weight (in grams)
GS1-128 AI 3103 shall be used for variable measure Stock Keeping Units (SKU). Net weight means weight of product excluding packaging (the same weight that is being invoiced).

Gross weight (in whole kg)
shall be labelled in human readable text on each Distribution Unit (DU). Gross weight means weight of products, packaging and pallet (load carrier).

Max. top load (in whole kg)
must be labelled in human readable text.
Distribution Units (DU) that can not be stacked (in transport or storing) are marked with: Cannot be stacked.

Temperature requirements
shall be labelled in human readable text if the product has a temperature requirement.

Product labelling on Promotional Unit

Overview of labelling of product information that may or may not be labelled on Promotional Unit:
Information	Human readable text	GS1-128 (bar code)	AI	Format
SSCC (License Plate)	Must be labelled	Must be labelled	00	n2 + n18
GTIN for Stock Keeping Unit (SKU)	Must be labelled	Must be labelled	01	n2 + n14
Product name	Must be labelled	Not labelled
Batch / lot number¹⁾	Must be labelled	Must be labelled	10	n2 + an..20
Best before date²⁾	Must be labelled if Consumer Unit (CU) has printed best before date	Must be labelled if Consumer Unit (CU) has printed best before date	15	n2 + n6
Temperature requirements	Must be labelled if the product has temperature requirements	Not labelled
Supplier’s item number	Must be labelled	Not labelled
1) If Batch / Lot No. is omitted on the Stock Keeping Unit (SKU), or it is different Batch / Lot No. on the Stock Keeping Units (SKU) this should not be labelled on the Distribution Unit (DU). 2) Alternatively, the expiration date (GS1-128 AI 17) may be used for shelf life marking.

Example of Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) label with SSCC for Promotional Unit

Units where product information can not be entered on their own label

Mixed pallet
Two variants of Mixed pallets are described; with and without intermediate pallet.
On Mixed pallet it is not possible to enter product information on its own label.

Mixed pallet without intermediate pallet:
Pallet consisting of several different products.

Mixed pallet with intermediate pallet:
Pallet consisting of several different products, where each product is stacked in one or more layers, and where each different product is separated by an intermediate pallet.

The choice of type of mixed pallet depends, among other things, on handling costs, transport / environmental costs and storage technology and must be agreed bilaterally between the parties.
Packaging and stability of the Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) must be considered when choosing type of a Mixed pallet.

If intermediate pallet(s) are used, it shall always be ordered the amount of Stock Keeping Units (SKU) to complete a layer.

Mixed pallet (both with and without intermediate pallet) is labelled with Standard shipping label for Norwegian grocery sector.

Customer packed pallet

When a supplier assembles products for delivery to the final recipient, the products are packaged and labelled with SSCC at two packaging levels.

Customer packed units are labelled for delivery to the end-user and the Distribution Unit (DU) is labelled for delivery to the transit warehouse.

On Customer packed units it is not possible to enter product information on the Distribution Unit (DU) label.

A customer-packed pallet can be Customer packed unit – multiple route, multiple customers, Customer packed unit – single route, multiple customers, or Customer packed unit – single customer.

Customer packed unit – multiple route, multiple customers is a unit of products for two or more end recipients that will be split in transit storage.
Customer packed unit – single route, multiple customer is a unit of products for two or more end recipients on the same route or transport.
Customer packed unit – single customer is a unit of products that are intended for only one end recipient.

This Customer packed units does not need to have its own load carrier and is being loaded on a standardized transport unit (for example, an EUR pallet).

Customer packed unit – multiple route, multiple customers and Customer packed unit – single route, multiple customer is stacked in columns per. end receiver.

Customer packed unit – multiple route, multiple customers is split after products receipt in the transit warehouse, and the individual Customer packed unit is forwarded to the final recipient. A prerequisite is that all Customer packed units located on one Distribution Unit (DU) are destined for the same transit warehouse.

152 Guidelines for labelling of Stock Keeping Units (SKU)

Guidelines for labelling of Stock Keeping Units (SKU)

Type of bar code symbol
When labelling with bar code on Stock Keeping Units (SKU) GS1-128 bar code shall be used.

Identical information
Same information (GS1-128 AI) should only occur once per label.

Size and design of labels
Since the shape and size of the Stock Keeping Units (SKU) is highly varied, size and design of the label may also vary.

Quality of labels
It is a prerequisite that the labels are readable throughout the value chain for the entire life span of the unit. Therefore, the quality of GS1-128 bar codes must minimum fulfill print quality with “Grade C” according to standard ISO / IEC 15416.
To achieve “Grade C” when reading, “Grade B” or better is recommended at printing.
Quality of labels and bar codes can be verified at GS1 Norway.

Placement of labels on Stock Keeping Units (SKU)
It is recommended that the Stock Keeping Units (SKU) is labelled on two sides.
If labelling can only be done on one side, the label on the Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) must be on the same side as one of labels on the pallet (consistent orientation).

By column stacking the Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) label will be oriented towards one pallet label (either on the short or long side of the pallet).

By bond stacking (like bricks) the Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) label could be oriented towards the two labels of the pallet. That is, both on the short and the long side of the pallet.

Bar codes
The following recommendations apply to GS1-128 bar code symbols:

The orientation of the bar code should be such that the bars are vertical (picket fence).
Size factor is in the range of 25 to 94% of nominal size.
The minimum bar code height is 13 mm.
Minimum 5 mm height on human readable text.
The location of the bar code should be such that the bottom of the bar code is about 32 millimeters from the bottom of the Stock Keeping Unit (SKU).
The bar code symbol included quiet zone (margins), must be at least 19 millimeters from a vertical edge to avoid damage to the label.
If the height of the Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) is less than 50 mm, the bar code should be placed as high as possible and information to be written in plain text can be placed to the left of the bar code

Placement of bar code symbols on the Stock Keeping Unit (SKU)

Placement of bar code symbols on Stock Keeping Units (SKU) with height less than 50 mm

128 Recall / withdraw a product

Recall / withdraw a product

Areas affected by, and subject to guidelines from STAND are:

Implementation of actions when an incident occurs, using the notification schema for recall, withdrawal or blocking of a product
Alternative ways to track and trace an item in the value chain

162 Recommended traceability methods in the value chain

Recommended traceability methods in the value chain

Traceability using pallet labelling and EDI Despatch Advice
The recommended traceability method involves labelling load carriers with GS1 labelling system combined with EDI Despatch Advice (Advance Shipping Notice(ASN)).

For products distributed through the retailer’s distribution warehouses, the industry’s unified guidelines for the identification and Distribution Units (DU) are based on GS1 standards.

To conduct traceability, each actor in the value chain must have a system that can store and process Distribution Units (DU) or logistic units with unique identifiers.

The importance of SSCC as the primary tracking key for deliveries
SSCC is the most important tracking key in the retail value chain. For each pallet identified and marked with SSCC, all products that are on the pallet are linked with full tracking information (GTIN, batch / lot and shelf life). This information is sent to the buyer in an EDI Despatch Advice.

A prerequisite for the tracking information to remain intact is that an SSCC is not reused.
Reusing a SSCC can result in a pallet being stopped at the Goods Reception by the recipient’s IT system, anticipating that the pallet has been received earlier. The recipient must then issue a new SSCC for the pallet, mark it and link the contents of the pallet to the new SSCC.

Since the pallet now has a new SSCC, it can no longer be used as a mutual tracking key in the retail value chain. In case of an incident with a possible recall / withdrawal of products, this could be critical.

STAND has therefore decided the following:
“For trading in Norway, it is a requirement that SSCC shall not be reused until after a minimum of 6 years. This is rooted in the Norwegian Food Safety Law, requiering a minimum traceability of 5 years. This also includes products that are outside the scope of the Norwegian Food Safety Law”.

Traceability at and from sender
Each packaging level (Consumer Units (CU), Stock Keeping Units (SKU), Distribution Units (DU)) has an assigned GTIN and must include a bar code on the label.

On Consumer Unit (CU), GTIN should preferably be labelled with the EAN-13 bar code symbol.

Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) on the Distribution Unit (DU) must be labelled with an approved bar code symbology and linked to the Distribution Unit’s (DU) unique identification.

Each pallet must be labelled with one GS1-128 bar code pallet label. The label contains a unique identifier (SSCC) which enables a link between the Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) on the pallet and the batch / lot number stored in the sender’s IT systems.

If the pallet is split or changed (for example, to one Mixed pallet or Promotional Unit, it shall be identified with a new GS1-128 label and SSCC. Mixed pallets are not labelled with product information.

The product information is attached to the pallet’s SSCC by scanning each Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) when the Distribution Unit (DU) is being assembled.

Once the sender has created the connection between the Stock Keeping Unit (SKU and the Distribution Unit (DU) and secured this, the information can be used to make an EDI Despatch Advice.

The EDI Despatch Advice is then sent from the sender to the recipient of the products. The parties are identified with GLN. This provides a clear and secure identification of the parties and is central to traceability. The Despatch Advice contains all relevant product information (GTIN, batch / lot and shelf life) about the shipment, and that it ties it to each Distribution Unit (DU) using SSCC.

For shipment, the supplier scans all outgoing Distribution Units (DU) and thus has a unified link between the individual product, its associated batches and which customer receives the product. This also enables effective control of the sending of correct products to customers.

Sender sends EDI Despatch Advice to recipient at agreed time.

Traceability at receiver
When the products arrive at the recipient, each pallet will be scanned.

All Stock Keeping Units (SKU) and Distribution Unit (DU) information is received in the EDI Despatch Advice. Using the EDI Despatch Advice, the tracking information is taken care of and significantly simplifies the products receipt.

The link to the product information occurs when the recipient scans the SSCC on each Distribution Unit (DU). Here, the recipient connects information about the products (GTIN, batch and shelf life information, against the sender (GLN).

For a Standard pallet all relevant information can be scanned from the Distribution Unit (DU) labels. This ensures that correct products are received at the same time as traceability information can be linked to the individual supplier. This simplifies and ensures the sharing of proper traceability information.

Mixed pallets must be split into the warehouse, and through IT support ensure that accurate and statutory traceability information is safeguarded and connected correctly.

138 Complaints by Ex Works delivery terms

Complaints by Ex Works delivery terms

The buyer shall make a complaint about errors or defects in the products within a reasonable time after the error or defect is discovered or should have been discovered.

Seller who claims that the complaint deadline has been exceeded must do so immediately after the complaint has been received.

The buyer may require replacement, redeployment, price reduction, etc. pursuant to the provisions of the applicable law (Kjøpsloven).

All errors and defects must be based on the things that the seller is responsible for.

315 Product tracking requirements

Product tracking requirements

The legislation requires that each company must have systems to document which products are purchased from each supplier and which customer has purchased the company’s finished products.

This also includes raw materials and other input that are covered by the legislation.

There is no requirement in the legislation for which type of systems to be used for this.

Businesses can practice more comprehensive tracking systems than the minimum regulatory requirements require, but this is either based on self-imposed requirements or agreements with, and orders from the contracting parties.

Tracking means being able to follow the physical flow of goods. This is often referred to as chain traceability, and assumes that all parties meet the requirements and follow the guidelines for tracking.

Tracking takes into account the legal requirements for all parties to be able to trace their products one step forward and one step back in the value chain.

Tracking one step forward:

This means to the address the products are delivered to.

An invoice system containing information about item number / item name, customer number / customer name and invoice date is sufficient to be able to trace one step forward in the value chain.

If the company is using batch/lot numbers for their products, this should be included in the invoice, despatch advice and the like, or linked directly to the company’s own systems.

Tracking one step backward:

This means the address from which the products are delivered.

The company must keep a log of received products describing which products were purchased from whom and in which quantitiy, and date.

If the addresses for where products are delivered from or delivered to are not in accordance with the legal ownership of the products and the invoice process, this should be agreed separately between the parties.

314 Routines covered by the guidelines

Routines covered by the guidelines

Legislative anchoring of the guidelines

The guidelines are among others based on Norwegian or European regulations on food safety and traceability:

Product Liability Act of 23 December 1988
Act on food production and food safety, etc. of 19.12.2003 Matloven (Food Law)
Regulations on internal control to comply with IK-mat forskriften (IK Food Law)
EU Food Law (Regulation EC 178/2002)
Directive 94/62 / EC on packaging and packaging waste

Each party has an obligation to familiarize themselves with the regulations that apply to the products your business sells or are involved in.

The legislation does not impose requirements on how tracking should be performed, and what systems in which tracking information should be recorded. Manual systems may be sufficient as long as the requirements for tracking and tracking information are met.

Routines

The guidelines cover two procedures

Requirements for and how to design contingency routines
Implementing actions should an incident or crisis occur

Prepare crisis procedures

This is included:

Prepare a Risk Analysis
Prepare a Contingency Plan
Requirements for product tracking
Tracking information and labeling requirements

207 EDI message, distribution form and deadlines

Overview of the messages to be exchanged for the various forms of distribution, with deadlines.

197 Implementation of EDI in the retail trade

Implementation of EDI in the retail trade

Introduction to implementation of EDI in the retail trade where STAND’s guidelines are to be used.

Before an exchange of EDI can take place, an EDI exchange agreement must be established.

This specifies all relevant information, such as:

Which parties are covered by the EDI agreement
Contacts for different functions at customer and supplier
Addresses to be used when exchanging EDI messages
Which EDI messages to be exchanged
What format and version of EDI messages that are used
The way in which EDI messages are exchanged

In addition, the EDI exchange agreement shall state all bilateral agreements relating to EDI Interaction.

Bilateral agreements shall be established in all areas where deviations from other guidelines in STAND, which involve EDI, arise. This may be:

Processes
Deadlines
Content in EDI messages

Some important clarifications

Valid formats of messages

STAND supports two main formats;

EANCOM, based on UN EDIFACT-format
XML, self-developed and customized EANCOM format, except for customized invoice e2b Invoice

In addition, some customers accept other formats, but description of these is not part of the STAND guidelines.

The most used of other formats are

EHF, developed by DIFI
e2b Invoice

Both are XML-based

Exchange methods

There are different ways to exchange EDI messages. This is not regulated in STAND, but is agreed between the parties. The most relevant methods of exchange are:

Exchange messages via a mailbox feature. This involves a third party who communicates inbound and outbound messages between the customer and the supplier’s mailbox
Customer and supplier agree that messages are sent directly to each other’s server without the use of a third-party actor
Supplier sends and receives messages via a web-portal

Introduction to technical documentation EDI

In the following, conditions are described which, regardless of the format in which EDI messages are exchanged, are common and must be assessed/taken into account when implementing EDI.

The target group for the documentation is technical personnel who will implement EDI in the IT solutions at the customer or supplier.

However, it is highly recommended that the documentation is be reviewed together with the customer / supplier’s business department, as describe in detail what needs to be considered for expected interaction to take place.

Technical documentation describes message flow and interaction related thereto for all processes where EDI is used, and deals with the messages:

Order
Order Receipt
Order Confirmation
Despatch Advice
Invoice
Invoice Receipt

As messages and interaction may vary for each type of distribution, the documentation is divided into three parts, one for each of the distribution forms:

Delivery via distributor
Delivery directly to retailer
Crossdock

The guidelines emphasize that the exchange of messages and interaction must take place according to simple and clear principles that also make control and follow-up as simple as possible.

Despite this, bilateral agreements must be concluded in several areas. These are described for each form of distribution and process in subsequent documentation.

Bilateral agreements must be documented in the EDI exchange agreement.

Areas where bilateral agreements can be established is:

If Order Receipt shall be sent
Deadline for Order Confirmation
If Deviation from deadline on Despatch Advice at EXW
If Invoice Receipt shall be sent

Areas where bilateral agreements can be established is:

Order
- If order type Forecast shall be used and how this process is to be carried out
- If order type Industrial Sales / Representative orders shall be used and how this process will be carried out if this deviate from ordinary process
- Requested delivery / pick-up date. If the following codes are to be used:
  - Latest delivery time
  - Earliest delivery time
  - Requested delivery for a week beginning with …
- If free text information should be sent, and which associated codes to be used

Order confirmation
- If Quantity delivered will be sent. Not recommended to use because deviations from ordered quantity are added in a separate field defined for this
- If Availability date of product for temporary sold out, is to be sent
- If free text information should be sent, and which associated codes to be used
- Deadline for when Order Confirmation must be sent

Areas where bilateral agreements can be established is:

Despatch Advice
- If number of load carriers included in the pallet exchange scheme will be sent
- If number of pallet places the shipment requires in transport will be sent
- If Promotional Unit will be sent at level 3 in the Despatch Advice

Areas where bilateral agreements can be established is:

If simple or advanced version of Invoice Receipt must be sent

Areas where bilateral agreements can be established is:

If Order Receipt shall be sent
If Order Confirmation shall be sent
Deadline for Order Confirmation
If Despatch Advice shall be sent
If Invoice Receipt shall be sent

Areas where bilateral agreements can be established is:

Order
- If order type Industrial Sales / Representative orders shall be used and how this process will be carried out if this deviate from ordinary process
- Requested delivery / pick-up date. If the following codes are to be used:
  - Latest delivery time
  - Earliest delivery time
  - Requested delivery for a week beginning with …
- If free text information should be sent, and which associated codes to be used

Order Confirmation
- If Quantity delivered will be sent. Not recommended to use because deviations from ordered quantity are added in a separate field defined for this
- If Availability date of product for temporary sold out, is to be sent
- If free text information should be sent, and which associated codes to be used
- Deadline for when Order Confirmation must be sent

Areas where bilateral agreements can be established is:

Despatch Advice
- If number of load carriers included in the pallet exchange scheme will be sent
- If number of pallet places the shipment requires in transport will be sent
- If Promotional Unit will be sent at level 3 in the Despatch Advice
- If Quantity (ordered quantity) will be sent (can only be used if Order Confirmation is not used)

Areas where bilateral agreements can be established is:

If simple or advanced version of Invoice Receipt must be sent

Areas where bilateral agreements can be established is:

If Order Receipt shall be sent
Deadline for Order Confirmation
If Deviation from deadline on Despatch Advice at EXW
If Invoice Receipt shall be sent

Special conditions at Crossdock

Replacement product (alternative product)

Use of replacement products must be agreed bilaterally. Replacement products can be used in connection with customer packed deliveries.

The principle is that original product ordered is replaced by alternate product from supplier. The supplier and the customer have agreed in advance which products are to be replaced. Order confirmation to describe the deviation between which product is ordered and which is delivered will not be used in this case.

It may occur that one product may be replaced with several replacement products.

Additional product lines

Use of additional products must be agreed bilaterally. Additional product lines can be used for customer packed deliveries.

The principle is that additional product lines are used if the products is not ordered in the original order but is ordered in retrospect (for example, by phone). The supplier and the customer have agreed in advance which products are to be replaced. Order Confirmation is not used in this case.

Customer packed deliveries from supplier

Identification of end customer / end receiver

In case of customer packed deliveries from the supplier, the main rule is that the end receiver is identified with GLN in the order notice. In special situations where the supplier has no access to GLN, the customer may send with the end receiver’s name and address information.

Handling Instructions

In case of customer packed deliveries from the supplier, the customers need to be informed about detailed transport information / handling instructions for Crossdocking on transit storage. This type of information is exchanged in the order notice.

Handling instructions sent from customer to supplier are specified as a structured free text field.

Indication of SSCC

Each unit of customer packed deliveries must be labelled with SSCC. Information about the individual devices and the connection to the SSCC is sent in the Despatch Advice.

Parties

At Crossdock, the buyer or product recipient shall identify the Crossdocking terminal. The end receiver shall then identify the recipient, which may be a warehouse or a store.

Areas where bilateral agreements can be established is:

Order
- Requested delivery- / pick-up date. If the following codes are to be used:
  - Latest delivery time
  - Earliest delivery time
  - Requested delivery for a week beginning with …
- If free text information should be sent, and which associated codes to be used

Order Confirmation
- If Quantity delivered will be sent. Not recommended to use because deviations from ordered quantity are added in a separate field defined for this
- If Availability date of product for temporary sold out, is to be sent
- If free text information should be sent, and which associated codes to be used
- Deadline for when Order Confirmation must be sent

Areas where bilateral agreements can be established is:

Despatch Advice
- If number of load carriers included in the pallet exchange scheme will be sent
- If number of pallet places the shipment requires in transport will be sent
- If Promotional Unit will be sent at level 3 in the Despatch Advice
- If Replacement product can be delivered
- If it is allowed to add products not ordered in the delivery / Despatch Advice
- If Ultimate Customer of delivery can be sent at line level

Areas where bilateral agreements can be established is:

If simple or advanced version of Invoice Receipt must be sent

151 Guidelines for labels on Distribution Units (DU)

Guidelines for labels on Distribution Units (DU)

Placement of labels on pallet
Two types of labels shall be used; label for product information and label for transport information.

The minimum requirement is that the pallet should be labelled on two sides with both label types; one of the short sides of the pallet and the right hand long side (seen from the short side).
Product and transport label must be on the same side of the pallet.
When multiple labels are used on the same side of the pallet, the labels should be placed underneath each other. The label that contains SSCC placed at the bottom.
The labels should be placed so that the bottom of the lowest bar code should be at least 400 mm above the floor, and the top of the uppermost bar code should not be more than 800 mm above the floor.
The label should be placed at least 50 mm from the vertical edge.
For pallets lower than 400 mm the labels should be placed as high as possible.
If all information is known at the time the pallet is labelled and there is space on the label, all information can be labelled on one single label.
To ensure automatic reading of the bar codes Promotional Units, Customer packed pallet and Mixed pallet should only the transport label on the transport unit be readable
Product label on Standard pallet with height 60 cm (Standard pallet – Low) should be placed as high as possible.

Identical information
Same information (GS1-128 AI) shall only appear once on the product and transport label.
This means in practice that the same information can not be repeated on the same label or that the same information may appear on multiple labels on the device (pallet).
The exception is SSCC which is allowed on both labels if it is an identical number used.

Size and design of the labels
The following recommendation applies:

The width of the label should be 105 mm or 148 mm
The height of the label may vary

Recommended formats are:

A5 (148mm x 210mm)
A6 (105mm x 148mm)
105 mm x 192 mm

Quality of labels

It is a prerequisite that the labels are readable throughout the value chain for the entire life span of the unit
It is a requirement that the quality of GS1-128 bar codes minimum meets print quality with “Grade C” according to Standard ISO / IEC 15416.
To achieve “Grade C” when reading, “Grade B” or better by printing is recommended
When affixing the labels, it is important to ensure that the bars in the GS1-128 symbol are correct and unbroken (avoid “wrinkling” on the label).

150 Transport information on pallet with example of transport label

Transport information on pallet with example of transport label

Content of the Standard shipping label for the Norwegian grocery sector.

Overview of labelling of Standard shipping label:
Information	Human readable text	GS1-128 (bar code)	AI	Format
Sender’s name, street address, postal code, city	Must be labelled	Not labelled
Recipient’s name, street address, postal code, city	Must be labelled	Not labelled
Name, address, etc. for the Crossdocking terminal	Must be labelled when the delivery is via the Crossdocking terminal	Not labelled
Buyer’s reference	Must be labelled	Not labelled
Gross weight	Must be labelled	Can be labelled	3300	n4 + n6
Max. Top load¹⁾	Must be labelled	Not labelled
Temperature requirements	Must be labelled	Not labelled
SSCC (License Plate)	Must be labelled	Must be labelled	00	n2 + n18
1) Max Top load is omitted for Mixed pallet.

Example of Standard shipping label for the grocery industry

Transport label for Standard pallet
Standard pallet is labelled with Standard shipping label for the grocery industry

A GS1 product label on a Standard pallet requires labeling of SSCC, gross weight, top load weight and temperature requirements.

This information can therefore be omitted from Standard shipping label for the grocery industry.

If both product label and transport label are used, SSCC can be labelled on both labels provided that the identical number is used.

Transport label for Promotional Unit
The Distribution Unit (DU) containing one or more Promotional Units is labelled with Standard shipping label for the grocery industry.

The Distribution Unit (DU) is identified and labelled with its own SSCC

If the Promotional Unit a 1/1 pallet, the same labelling of transport label as for Standard pallet is used.

Transport label for Mixed pallet
Mixed pallet (both with and without interlayer pallet) is labelled with Standard shipping label for the Norwegian grocery industry.

If the Mixed pallet is not stackable, information on Top load is omitted.

Transport label for Customer packed pallets
The Customer packed pallet is labelled with Standard shipping label for the grocery industry.

Note in particular:

Recipient’s name, address, etc.

As recipient transit warehouse is given and transit address is given as delivery address. The pallet must be labelled with the transit warehouse’s name, street address, postal code and postal address in human readable text.

Name, address, etc. for the distribution warehouse.

The via-field the distribution warehouse is given. The pallet must be labelled with the distributions warehouse’s name, street address, postal code and postal address in human readable text.

Transport label for Customer packed units

Transport Information.

On this label, a separate field has been created for transport information. This is information that the buyer sends to the supplier in his order and which the supplier must put on the Customer packed unit’s transport label.

Format and content of transport information is agreed between the parties.

Content in transport label for customer packed unit

Transport label for customer packed unit:
Information	Human readable text	GS1-128 (bar code)	AI	Format
Sender’s name, street address, postal code, city	Must be labelled	Not labelled
End recipients’s name, street address, postal code, city	Must be labelled	Not labelled
Name, address, etc. for the transit warehouse¹⁾	Must be labelled	Not labelled
Transport information²⁾	Must be labelled	Not labelled
Buyer’s reference³⁾	Must be labelled	Not labelled
Gross weight⁴⁾	Must be labelled	Can be labelled	3300	n4 + n6
Temperature requirements	Must be labelled	Not labelled
SSCC Code (licence plate)	Must be labelled	Must be labelled	00	n2 + n18
1) Transit Warehouse where the pallet is split/cross-docked, is stated in the VIA-field
2) Transport information is agreed between the parties
3) Example The Customers Ordering Number
4) Gross weight is the sum of weight of the products, packaging materials and pallet (load carrier)

Example of shipping label for Customer packed unit

148 Product information on Stock Keeping Unit (SKU), with example of Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) label

Product information on Stock Keeping Unit (SKU), with example of Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) label

Only product information should be labelled on a Stock Keeping Unit (SKU).
What information to be labelled depends on the type of product.

Intermediate Cartons shall be labelled as Stock Keeping Units (SKU)

Possible product information which SHALL or CAN be labelled on a Stock Keeping Unit (SKU)

GTIN – Global Trade Item Number
Includes GTIN-8 (8 digits), GTIN-12 (12 digits), GTIN-13 (13 digits) and GTIN-14 (14 digits).

All Stock Keeping Units (SKU) must have their own GTIN.
– For variable measure Stock Keeping Units (SKU), GTIN-14 with a leading digit 9 should be used.
– For other products, GTIN-13 is recommended.

Name of brand owner
– shall be shown in plain text either on the label or on the packaging.

Product name
– Must be written in plain text on the Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) product label.
– Must be based on the text in the Norwegian grocery data pool – EPD database, and consists of product name, attributes, – and product description.
– The product description labelled on the Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) must be identical to the text in the Despatch Advice and Invoice.
-Product description should also contain a package description: for example, Coffee 12 x 500gr.

Batch / lot number
– A number generated by the manufacturer, used to achieve full traceability of product lot/batches in the value chain
– GS1-128 AI 10 must be used.

Shelf life information (“Best before” date, alternatively “Expiry date”)
– Must be labelled on all Stock Keeping Units which has shelf life printed on the Consumer Unit (CU)

GS1-128 AI 15 shall be used for «Best before date”
GS1-128 AI 17 shall be used for «Expiry date»

Net weight
– GS1-128 AI 3103 shall be used for variable measure Stock Keeping Units (SKU).
– Net weight means weight of product excluding packaging (the same weight that is being invoiced).

Supplier’s item number
– can be labelled in plain text.

Table showing what SHALL or CAN be labelled:

Overview of product information that shall or may be labelled on Stock Keeping Unit (SKU):
Information	Human readable text	GS1-128 (bar code)	AI	Format
GTIN for Stock Keeping Unit (SKU)	Must be labelled	Must be labelled	01	n2 + n14
Name of brand owner	Must be labelled	Not labelled
Product name	Must be labelled	Not labelled
Batch / lot number	Must be labelled	Must be labelled	10	n2 + an..20
Shelf life	Must be labelled if shelf life is marekd on the Consumer Unit (CU)	Must be labelled if shelf life is marekd on the Consumer Unit (CU)	15, alternatively 17	n2 + n6
Net weight	Must be labelled for products with variable measures	Must be labelled for products with variable measures	310x	n4 + n6
Supplier’s item no.	Can be labelled	Not labelled

Example of GS1 Product label for Stock Keeping Unit (SKU), for a product with “Best before” date and a fixed weight:

Example of GS1 Product label for Stock Keeping Unit (SKU), for a product with “Expiry date” and variable measures:

102 Development of a product

Suppliers are encouraged to work closely with packaging suppliers and customers in developing new products.

Suppliers are encouraged to work closely with suppliers of packaging and customers in the process of developing new products.

The grocery industry is heavily packaging intensive. Increasing demands and expectations from authorities and consumers for reduction in use of virgin fossil materials and replacing plastic, whenever possible, will be highly focused. “Design for recycling” will be crucial to meet future regulations, expectations, environmental requirements and recycling goals.

Reduction of food waste will have increased focus to meet reduction targets agreed by the trade and the Norwegian authorities.

The grocery value chain in Norway has for many years exercised responsibility by active ownership in the material return shemes for packaginxg Grønt Punkt Norge and by funding the company Matvett to prevent food waste. These organizations are available to support you introducing more sustainable products.

Areas affected by, and subject to guidelines from STAND are:

Optimization and requirements for design of Consumer Unit (CU), Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) and Distribution Unit (DU) with accompanying packaging materials
- The modular system
- Case fill rate
- The top load labelling system
- Automatic warehouse at distributor – increased understanding of depalletization process
- Checklist
Valid pallets and requirements for these
Labelling requirements
- Guidelines for how to label Consumer Unit (CU) with 2D barcode
- Purpose of labelling of Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) and Distribution Unit (DU)
- Product information on Stock Keeping Unit (SKU), with example of Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) label
- Guidelines for labelling of Stock Keeping Units (SKU)
- Product information on Distribution Unit (DU), with example of Distribution Unit (DU) label
- Labelling of transport information
- Guidelines for labels on Distribution Units (DU)
- Bar code requirements for labelling with GS1-128 on Distribution Unit (DU)
Shelf life
- Determine total shelf life of a product and labelling requirements
- Allocation of shelf life between the players in the value chain
- Use of dynamic shelf life
- Bilateral agreements for allocation of shelf life
Traceability of a product
- Guidelines for traceability, recall and withdrawal
- Requirements for traceability of products and the product areas covered by this
- Requirements for traceability information and labelling
- Alternative ways to track and trace an item in the value chain

Development of a product

Suppliers are encouraged to work closely with packaging suppliers and customers in developing new products.

Suppliers are encouraged to work closely with suppliers of packaging and customers in the process of developing new products.

Reduction of food waste will have increased focus to meet reduction targets agreed by the trade and the Norwegian authorities.

Areas affected by, and subject to guidelines from STAND are:

Optimization and requirements for design of Consumer Unit (CU), Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) and Distribution Unit (DU) with accompanying packaging materials
- The modular system
- Case fill rate
- The top load labelling system
- Automatic warehouse at distributor – increased understanding of depalletization process
- Checklist
Valid pallets and requirements for these
Labelling requirements
- Guidelines for how to label Consumer Unit (CU) with 2D barcode
- Purpose of labelling of Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) and Distribution Unit (DU)
- Product information on Stock Keeping Unit (SKU), with example of Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) label
- Guidelines for labelling of Stock Keeping Units (SKU)
- Product information on Distribution Unit (DU), with example of Distribution Unit (DU) label
- Labelling of transport information
- Guidelines for labels on Distribution Units (DU)
- Bar code requirements for labelling with GS1-128 on Distribution Unit (DU)
Shelf life
- Determine total shelf life of a product and labelling requirements
- Allocation of shelf life between the players in the value chain
- Use of dynamic shelf life
- Bilateral agreements for allocation of shelf life
Traceability of a product
- Guidelines for traceability, recall and withdrawal
- Requirements for traceability of products and the product areas covered by this
- Requirements for traceability information and labelling
- Alternative ways to track and trace an item in the value chain

Endringslogg

01.02.2022: Clarification regarding reduced use of both virgin and fossil materials environmentally friendly packaging solutions.

Optimization of Consumer Unit (CU), Stock Keeping Unit (SKU), Distribution Unit (DU) and packaging – central to the development of new/changes to existing products

The grocery industry has a common goal of being able to:

Streamline product flow
Reduce environmental impact
Promote sales
Reduce shrinkage

when products are being developed/changed.

To achieve this, it is crucial to standardize and optimize packaging on the product at all packaging levels – Consumer Unit (CU), Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) and Distribution Unit (DU).

STAND has therefore prepared a standard for this, which applies to all packaging levels.

Audience for the standard is managers and everyone who works with product development, assortment and logistics in the value chain.

By complying with the standard, processes in the value chain are optimized and gains can be extracted in a number of areas such as:

Warehouse

Form Stable Distribution Units (DU) and Stock Keeping Units (SKU)
Correct quality of Distribution Units (DU) and Stock Keeping Units (SKU) for efficient handling through warehouse

Outbound transport

Withstand double stacking
Avoids shrinkage and damage

Inbound transport

High case fill rate
Double stacking of pallets
Avoiding transport damage

Shop

Effective replenishment
Sales-friendly, good visibility when Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) is used to expose products
Optimal use of shelf space
Reduced food waste, with correct number of Consumer Units (CU) in Stock Keeping Unit (SKU)
Reduced food waste, utilising 2D barcodes with dynamic information

Consumer

Optimal and user-friendly packaging
Clear, accurate and complementary product declaration
Recycling labelling
Extended product information utilising 2D barcodes

In addition, optimization of packaging through compliance with the standard will reduce environmental impact at all stages in the value chain, as part of the industry agreement with the authorities.

The packaging must be:

In addition, the following applies to Norway:

For products registered in the Tradesolution EPD base, approval of the grocery chains is required to keep existing GTIN on a product, also for changes below 20%
Frequent cumulative changes, without changing the GTIN, in avoidance of the 20% rule is an unacceptable practice. Trading partners should be notified about all dimensional changes. Cumulative changes might cause problems for trading partners and may obstruct the transport and supply of a product
Local, national or regional regulations may require more frequent GTIN changes. Such regulations have precedence over the rules provided within the GTIN Management Standard

The check list can be downloaded as a separate document.

Requirements for design of Consumer Unit (CU)

Consumer Unit (CU) is the unit the consumer purchases in store.

Consumer Unit (CU) should be easy to open and to use.

Consumer Unit (CU) should be, included Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) and Distribution Unit (DU) adapted to the modular system, see Modular system

Quantity (packing content) in Consumer Unit (CU) is determined by manufacturer, preferably in dialogue with distributor / retail chain.

Case fill rate shall be calculated. This is described in Case fill rate

On new products, it is expected that the case fill rate is higher than the average of the product group to which it belongs.

Efforts to increase the case fill rate in the grocery industry are important from both an environmental and efficiency perspective.

Guideline for labelling 2D barcodes on Consumer Units

Background

Purpose of the use of 2D barcodes in Norwegian grocery

Different types of 2D barcodes

QR Code

GS1 Datamatrix

Content in barcode

A minimum requirement for information attributes has been defined for POS purposes.

This is:

GTIN
Best before date or Expiry date
Batch/lot nr.
Weight (for variable measure products).

It is possible to use other Application Identifiers for internal and/or external needs, but this is then up to each individual actor to use.

Requirements for design of Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) and packaging

Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) is the unit the retailer buys.
Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) occurs in various forms, such as carton, reusable box / pallet box, intermediate carton and such.

The most important task of the Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) is to secure Consumer Units (CU) from the time of manufacturing until it is finished exposed in a shop shelf.

The number of Consumer Units (CU) in a Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) is determined by the manufacturer, preferably in dialogue with the distributor / retail chain.

The Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) must be adapted to the modular system, see Modular system

for picking and grouping of products can be done as efficient as possible.

Case fill rate shall be calculated. This is described in Case fill rate

Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) must be designed to withstand the strain required in the value chain.

Design requirements and packaging

Example of best practices

Modular Stock Keeping Unit (SKU).

Example of an inappropriate Stock Keeping Unit (SKU)

Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) is not adapted to the modular system.

The size of the Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) must consider the size of the shelf space for the current product group.
The short side of the Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) should be front where appropriate.

There must be a simple and clear opening guide, preferably with illustration.

The packaging must be opened without using a knife.

When the Consumer Units (CU) is exposed in the Stock Keeping Unit (SKU), the least possible of the Stock Keeping Unit’s (SKU) packaging should be visible when exposed in the store shelf.

Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) must not weigh more than 15 kg.

Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) must be in recyclable cardboard or plastic.

Example of an inappropriate Stock Keeping Unit (SKU)

Lid / plastic film is missing, which may cause Consumer Unit (CU) to fall out during internal transport.

Plastic boxes – all variants – must be considered to work in automated warehouse handling.

Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) must be form stable.

Example of best practices
Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) is form stable.

Example of an inappropriate Stock Keeping Unit (SKU)
Not form stable. Do not resist strain on inbound transport (2 pallets in height), as well as handling through the value chain.

Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) that is only wrapped in plastic foil must have a tray / trough below.

Example of best practices
Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) on tray / trough with plastic wrap.

Stock Keeping Units (SKU) must have straight sides.

Example of best practices
Stock Keeping Units (SKU) with straight sides.

Glue quality and amount of glue on Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) must be such that glued surfaces do not loosen.

Example of best practices
Glue quality and amount of glue is such that glued surfaces do not loosen.

Constructed example of an inappropriate Stock Keeping Unit (SKU)
Too little glue / too few glue points are included that flap gaps with subsequent stops in automatic warehouse systems.

Example of best practices
The ratio height / width is below 1.7.

Example of an inappropriate Stock Keeping Unit (SKU)
The height / width ratio is over 1.7, which means that the Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) can fall during internal transport.

Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) exposure front should not be less than 30 mm, regardless of the chosen solution.
The information on the Consumer Unit (CU) must be visible.

Packaging capacity

Optimal transport requires the use of load capacity of the transport systems (weight and height).

Generally, the packaging should be able to carry a similar pallet (2 identical pallets) without any breakage or clamping damage during transport and storage.

Exceptions from this must be specified and labelled on the (Distribution Unit (DU).

Method of calculation of carrying capacity is described in Top load labelling system.

The packaging shall be able to withstand shipping with other products for shipping to the store in a rational way.

In order to achieve the industry’s common goal of efficient flow of products, reduced negative environmental impact, promoted sales and reduced losses, it is important to focus on:

Top load
Stackability
Module customization

Especially for reusable boxes / pallet boxes
Basically, Stock Keeping Units (SKU) is desired in cardboard, or in combination with plastic.

Reusable boxes are an alternative to Stock Keeping Units (SKU) in corrugated paper but must be agreed bilaterally.

Particularly for Intermediate cartons
The use of Intermediate cartons should be kept as low as possible and must be agreed bilaterally.

The intermediate carton must be labelled so that it clearly differs from the Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) and shall not weigh more than 15 kg.

Requirements for the design of the Distribution Unit (DU) and palletization

The Distribution Unit (DU) is the unit the Stock Keeping Units (SKU) is stacked on / packed in for transport to distributor.

Design of a Standard pallet (Standard pallet and Standard pallet – Low)

The pallet structure shall contain as little excess volume of “air” as possible.

Tolerance limit for existing products is 1249 mm.

Standard pallet – Low
Maximum pallet height shall be 600 mm incl. pallet.
Standard pallet – Low is used for low-frequency products and for products with short shelf life.

Principles for the construction of a palletpattern, central in calculation of top load weight, ref Top load labelling system.

When creating a pallet pattern, the following applies:

A packaged Distribution Unit (DU) must be form stable and handling-friendly
A Distribution Unit (DU) shall withstand regular transport, handling and storage through the value chain
For single article Distribution Units (DU), all layers must contain the same number of Stock Keeping Units (SKU), and in a fixed pallet pattern
Requirements for equal number of Stock Keeping Units (SKU) on each pallet / identical layer from pallet to pallet, with the possibility of variation between the layers
The pallet should not have overhang
The Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) should be placed on the pallet as it is exposed in the store
Do not glue between pallet layers or between Stock Keeping Units (SKU) in the same pallet layer
If a transport label or product label is attached directly to Stock Keeping Unit (SKU), the label must not overlap between 2 Stock Keeping Units (SKUs), either horizontally or vertically
All pallets with total height above standard 1200mm with maximum height of 1250 mm to be agreed bilaterally between supplier and their customers.

Types of pallet pattern

Bond Stacking
Bond Stacking means that the units on every other layer are different, thus locking each other to a greater or lesser extent, but it reduces the compressive strength by approx. 40%.

Example of good pallet utilization and stacking with bond stacking, for good stability.

Use of plastic to secure the pallet through the value chain

Shrink / stretch film must not be so tight that the packages are deformed
Shrink / stretch film must be tight around to the pallet
No tail of plastic must hang loose
Shrink / stretch film must not cover the fork lift openings on the pallet
Shrink / stretch film must not be fastened around the pallet blocks

The pallet sheet to be used for standard euro pallet should have dimensions of 750 mm * 1150 mm, ie 50 mm less than the length and width of the current load carrier
The pallet sheet must be of rigid cardboard or corrugated cardboard.
- The stiffness of the pallet sheet must pass the following test: If the short edge of the plate hangs 500 mm from a flat surface (eg a table), the pallet sheet must not bend down more than 50 mm, see illustration below
No more than one intermediate pallet sheet between each layer
The intermediate pallet sheet must not be fastened and be flat
Only a whole intermediate pallet sheet, i.e. without holes or perforations, shall be used
In case of questions, one is encouraged to contact the packaging supplier

Example of intermediate pallet sheet that does not meet quality requirements. The intermediate pallet sheet is a thin paper and is not suitable for automatic warehouse systems

Example of pallet with intermediate pallet sheets, too big – hanging on outside the pallet.
Is not suitable.

Intermediate pallet sheets with holes. Is not suitable.

Endringslogg

31.10.2022: Additional text: “If a transport label or product label is attached directly to Stock Keeping Unit (SKU), the label must not overlap between 2 Stock Keeping Units (SKUs), either horizontally or vertically.”

23.11.2023: Design of a Standard pallet: All pallets with total height above standard 1200mm with maximum height of 1250 mm to be agreed bilaterally between supplier and their customers.

Placement of Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) on pallet

The pallet area should be utilized as best as possible with products. By following the Modular system optimal use of the pallet is ensured and reduces the risk of the load shifting during transport.

Overhang is not accepted.

Valid pallets

This is an animation that show what pallets are valid for distribution.

Requirements specifications can be downloaded here:

Purpose of labelling of Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) and Distribution Unit (DU)

The purpose of a standard for labelling of Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) and Distribution Unit (DU) with subsequent electronic data interchange (EDI) is to:

Achieve an efficient flow of products from manufacturer to consumer
Ensure traceability through the value chain, which is important in case an event or crisis occurs which requires a recall or withdrawal of the product

The basis for this is the labelling of each Distribution Unit (DU) with a unique SSCC.

SSCC is the most important key for traceability of Distributions Units (DU), see Recommended way to track and trace a product in the value chain.

For that reason SSCC shall not be reused until after a minimum of 6 years.

Efficiency and traceability are achieved primarily through:

Synchronization of product information between the various parts in the value chain.
The purpose is for all players to obtain correct and coherent product information about the products. Between suppliers and retail chains in the Norwegian groceries sector the EPD database is used for the registration, quality assurance and distribution of product information.

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) between the actors.
The purpose is to reduce manual operations and reduce lead time in the value chain. The most widely used EDI messages are order, order confirmation, Despatch Advice and invoice.

Standardized labelling of outer packaging.
The purpose is to contribute to faster and more efficient shipping, distribution and receipt of the products. A common labelling concept for the grocery industry is used here; GS1-128.