As Europe navigates the digital and green transition, trusted data, global standards and cross-sector collaboration are becoming increasingly important to support competitiveness, resilience and effective policy implementation. This strategic plenary session will explore how the GS1 community can contribute to these objectives by aligning priorities, strengthening collaboration across the region, and supporting businesses in an evolving regulatory and economic landscape.

EU-funded projects (from the HORIZON and DIGITAL programmes from the European Commission) are becoming more and more important for GS1 in Europe. During this session you will be updated on how EU-funded projects are organised and how you can participate.

Also, the project leads will give an update on some of the EU-funded projects:

• FoodDataQuest: some first results after 3 years
• IKIGAI: promoting the GS1 SMART-Box
• EPREL: Electronic Product Labelling

Whether you’ve just joined or are attending for the first time, this session is designed to help you get started. Discover GS1 in Europe, how we are structured, the priorities we focus on, and how we work together as a network. Join us to gain essential insights and feel fully part of the GS1 community.

Product claims increasingly need proof behind them: regulators, marketplaces and consumers expect the certifications backing a claim to be easy to find and verify. Today that data is scattered and hard to match to the right product. Using certification data exchange as the lead example, this session shows how GS1 registries help identify what is certified, link each product to where its certification lives, and let many parties discover it. It also maps where this thread continues through the week — from the sustainability plenary and marketplaces to ESG reporting and AI.

This year, there will be no flash walks; however, this does not mean there are no noteworthy projects or achievements to highlight. We have already received several contributions from across the community, showcasing a range of excellent initiatives. A selection of these will be presented in a brief and focused format. Should time allow, you are also encouraged to share your own projects or accomplishments. Please feel free to reach out to the team to express your interest.

Solution providers play a key role in extending the reach and impact of GS1 standards and services. This session will explore how GS1 Member Organisations engage with solution providers across the region, sharing experiences, challenges, and best practices. Together, we will identify more effective ways of working, strengthen collaboration models, and explore how to better align efforts to support adoption, innovation, and scale.

Learn about the latest developments on Digital Product Passports:

• Which Delegated Acts are coming and when?
• What are the CEN/CENELEC standards and how do they relate to GS1?
• What are the latest updates from the Circularity MSWG?

Industry engagement groups are formed within GS1 in Europe. They will do preparatory work for future MSWG sub-teams. You will get high-level updates and learn how to join the working groups on:

• Furniture & Mattresses
• Consumer Electronics & Household Appliances
• Detergents
• Toys

Please note: for construction products and textile/apparel dedicated sessions are planned during the Regional Forum

In this plenary session, the GS1 Global Office will share the latest progress on Vision 2030 and what it means in practice for Member Organisations. Through interactive exchanges, the session will help demystify key concepts, translate strategy into concrete actions, and provide practical guidance on how to move forward. Join this discussion to gain clarity, ask questions, and explore how we can collectively accelerate the implementation of Vision 2030 across the network.

During this session, we will explore key regulatory developments, particularly in areas such as sustainability, digital product passports, trade digitalisation, and product safety and their implications for MOs and their communities. The session will also showcase how GS1 contributes to policy discussions, supports Member Organisations through tools and collaboration, and helps ensure that standards are recognised as enablers of efficiency, transparency, and trust in the market.

The digital transformation of transport is accelerating, with the electronic consignment note and the eFTI framework reshaping how transport data is created, shared, and used across the supply chain.
At the same time, the European Union is modernising its customs system, moving towards a data-driven model supported by a single EU Customs Data Hub and a unified digital environment for traders.

This session will explore how these developments are converging and what they mean for companies operating across the supply chain. It will highlight the role of GS1 standards in enabling interoperability, high-quality data, and secure information exchange between business partners and authorities.

As data becomes central to digital transformation, understanding how to structure, connect, and trust that data is critical. This session will introduce the concept of ontologies and explain how they relate to traditional data models, helping to bring shared meaning and interoperability across systems.

We will also provide an update on CIRPASS-2 and explore its role in advancing data frameworks in support of emerging use cases such as Digital Product Passports. Finally, the session will address the importance of trusted data, including approaches to verification, and how these foundations enable more reliable, scalable, and impactful data exchange across the GS1 ecosystem.

As AI reshapes how we work, the human element has never mattered more.

Across Europe, many Member Organisations have developed inspiring initiatives to enhance day-to-day working life and support employee wellbeing. This session brings those experiences to the table, a chance to share, learn, and draw inspiration from the best practices emerging across our community.

Online marketplaces have transformed the retail landscape. For GS1 in Europe, active engagement in this sector is critical. This internal session will focus on how European Member Organisations (MOs) can collaborate effectively to address unique regional marketplace challenges.

We will look closely at how GS1 standards and services, like unique product identification (GTINs) and Verified by GS1 are being used by such platforms.

Attendees will gain direct insights into navigating mandatory regulatory databases like EPREL and how to use the new GTIN Adoption Guide to help platforms correctly implement identifiers. We will also explore how the Amazon Transparency Program integrates with GS1 2D codes to combat counterfeits. This session delivers best practices for engaging major regional platforms, ensuring our standards remain the foundational and the next evolution of marketplaces.

As the global economy shifts toward decentralized ecosystems, Data Spaces have emerged as the foundation for secure, sovereign, and seamless data exchange across industries. However, a data space is only as powerful as the data within it. Without common rules, information remains siloed.

This interactive workshop explores how GS1 standards act as the global language of business, bridging the gap between isolated platforms and robust data spaces. Participants will discover how leveraging existing.

GS1 identification keys (like GTIN and GLN), the role of verifiable credentials and data exchange protocols (like EPCIS) can accelerate trust, ensure compliance with emerging regulations (such as the EU Digital Product Passport), and unlock true interoperability.

Also, an update will be made on where we stand on the Common European Data Spaces: SAGE (the green deal data space) and CEADS (the agricultural data space) and how a connection can be made with local data space initiatives.

Sustainability, circularity and traceability are at the heart of an evolving regulatory landscape across Europe. In this plenary session, we will explore the implications of key frameworks such as ESPR, CPR, PPWR, and EUDR, and what they mean for GS1 Member Organisations and the member companies they support.

Through insights from external speakers and real-world examples, the session will highlight how businesses are responding to these requirements and the challenges they face. It will also showcase how GS1 standards and solutions can help enable compliance, improve transparency, and support the transition to more sustainable and circular value chains.

As the sustainability reporting landscape evolves, companies are navigating a changing mix of requirements, from CSRD to the Voluntary Sustainability Reporting Standard for SMEs (VSME). This interactive session provides a practical overview of the latest developments and what they mean for organisations across the value chain.

But reporting is only part of the story. The sustainability data collected for reporting purposes is increasingly becoming a strategic asset. Structured, reliable and interoperable data not only supports efficient reporting and supply chain collaboration, but can also help substantiate environmental claims. Evidence such as certifications and other verified sustainability data can create synergies between reporting obligations and compliance with regulations such as the Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive (EmpCo).

Discover how a strong sustainability data foundation can support both reporting and proof.

The Centre of Excellence construction made great progress last year. Construction has become a prioritised sector within Vision 2030. For GS1 in Europe this has always been the case! During this session you will be able to meet the team and hear all about the exciting projects that are being worked on. To name but a few:

• DPP for construction
• Digital Building Logbooks
• Made to order
• Digital Continuity
• Value propositions

In this dedicated Business Intelligence session, we will share the latest findings from our insights survey, including key market scenarios shaping the industry. We’ll showcase practical examples of how data can be leveraged to build meaningful benchmarks, and provide an update on the progress of our European common market segmentation.

Whether you’re already working with data or looking to strengthen your BI capabilities, this session will offer valuable takeaways and a chance to align with peers across Europe.

The European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) is a landmark policy aimed at ensuring key global commodities like timber, soy, beef, and palm oil are not sourced from deforested land. Its core ambition is to reduce global carbon emissions and protect biodiversity by banning non-compliant goods from being sold in or exported from the EU market. To achieve this, businesses must provide precise geolocation data and verifiable proof of their origins ahead of the December 2026 deadlines. GS1 standards are the relevant partner to achieve EUDR targets, offering the globally recognised framework for tracking data, validating origins, and managing due diligence seamlessly.

Textiles and apparel are one of the first sectors where the Digital Product Passport will be implemented. In this session you will learn more about the textile value chain, sector industry engagement and the latest from the sub-team textiles from the Circularity MSWG. Also, a link will be made to the textile ontology created within CIRPASS-2 and to the circular textile use case within the SAGE project for the Green Deal Data Space.

This session is open to everyone with an interest in marketing and communication, no matter your role or experience level.

We introduce the GS1 in Europe MarCom Sharing Forum, a new initiative designed to connect all GS1 in Europe Member Organisations and strengthen marketing and communication performance across the region. Through structured sharing of best practices, tools, and insights, the Forum aims to bring MOs closer together and unlock the collective power of our European community.

We’ll walk through the details of the initiative, including the planned 2026 pilot phase, and explore how this can become a core GS1 in Europe marketing and communication activity.

If you work in, or collaborate with marketing and communication, this is your session. Come and share your views on how we can build this together.

Data sharing is entering a new era, driven by rapid advances in artificial intelligence and evolving digital ecosystems. In this plenary session, we will explore how AI is transforming the way data is created, shared, discovered, and used—unlocking new opportunities for automation, insight, and value creation.

Building on GS1’s vision for the future of data sharing, the session will highlight the key capabilities needed to support AI-ready, trustworthy, and interoperable data. We will also examine what this shift means for Member Organisations, from enabling new services to supporting businesses in a more data-driven and connected world.

The EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) rules are coming into force. This landmark legislation fundamentally transforms packaging from a purely physical asset into a digital data challenge, mandating everything from strict circular design to harmonised recycling labels. In this short session, we will explore exactly what these sweeping changes mean for the GS1 community.

There is transformation in the European agri-food domain, and it is using a lot of data.  This session draws the picture how GS1 in Europe, its MO’s and GS1 GO are aligning and providing GS1 members the direction and standards to lead the transformation.

During this session, we will discuss how GS1 is supporting the shift to 2D data carriers, including global initiatives, implementation approaches, and the role MOs play in guiding companies through the transformation. Join us to understand how the move to 2D is shaping the future of identification and how to accelerate adoption across the ecosystem.

As sustainability reporting requirements continue to evolve across Europe, Corporate Carbon Footprint (CCF) and Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) are becoming essential tools for measuring and communicating environmental performance.

This session will explore the role of carbon footprinting in meeting sustainability reporting requirements and discuss how organizations can adopt consistent and transparent approaches to carbon accounting. It will also examine how GS1 standards can enable a common language for exchanging carbon footprint data, improving interoperability, collaboration across value chains and the reliability of sustainability reporting.

This session will demonstrate how GS1 standards can be used to realise the full potential of the European railway ecosystem. From identification and traceability to lifecycle management, maintenance and seamless cross-border information exchange, it will show how standardized data lays the foundation for safer operations, greater efficiency, stronger transparency and closer collaboration among operators, manufacturers and infrastructure managers.

As artificial intelligence evolves towards more autonomous, decision-making systems, understanding the principles of agentic and commercial AI becomes essential. This session will explore what defines agentic AI, how it applies in a business context, and the key considerations for deploying it responsibly and effectively. We will discuss how GS1 MOs can harness AI to enable smarter data use, enhance services, and unlock new opportunities across the ecosystem.

Istanbul is the breathtaking metropolis where East meets West, and the land of legendary misafirperverlik (hospitality)! As a historic keystone of the ancient Silk Road, this dynamic city has connected global trade routes for centuries. Today, it remains a global cultural hub, a bridge between two continents, and the vibrant economic heart of Türkiye. Expect mesmerizing views of the Bosphorus, bustling historic bazaars, and an electrifying energy that blends thousands of years of trade history with modern innovation.

GS1 Türkiye is at the heart of driving modern, secure, and transparent commerce. Their core mission focuses on advancing global standards to harmonize product data and location information across a rapidly growing economy. Through pioneering digital transformation initiatives and robust data synchronization networks, they facilitate seamless trade and champion data quality, elevating traceability and operational agility across thriving local and international markets.

In this session, we’ll warmly welcome you to Istanbul—where Europe and Asia meet—and spotlight inspiring real-world use cases from some of GS1 Türkiye’s most impactful members. Expect to explore success stories demonstrating how GS1 standards fuel innovation, supply chain resilience, and global competitiveness.

Join us to discover practical examples from industries including:

• Retail and Rapidly Growing E-commerce
• Cross-Border Logistics and Global Supply Chain Optimization
• Textile and apparel

Get ready for an insightful session filled with Turkish expertise, innovation, and the dynamic energy of Istanbul!

This session is exclusively reserved for GS1 in Europe CEOs.

In this hands-on, high-energy activity, teams are invited to create their own innovative concept, choosing any idea that addresses traceability, sustainability, and circularity, and leverages GS1 standards.

Vote for the best Shark Tank pitch, mingle with colleagues and enjoy a drink together! The cocktail ends at 20:30, leaving you time to discover Istanbul over dinner with your colleagues!

This fast-paced session brings together CEOs and Directors from across Europe for a series of short, dynamic presentations showcasing real initiatives that are transforming their Member Organisations.

From AI adoption and digital transformation to membership growth, workforce development, the focus is firmly on practice over theory. Speakers will share concrete experiences, honest lessons learned, and measurable outcomes that others can learn from and adapt.

If you’re looking for fresh ideas and inspiration grounded in reality, this is the session for you.

Cash handling remains an important use case within the GS1 system, supporting efficiency, accuracy, and trust across the cash supply chain. This session will explore how GS1 standards and solutions can enable better identification, tracking, and reconciliation of cash movements, from retail to banking and cash-in-transit operations.

We will discuss current practices, key challenges faced by stakeholders, and the role of Member Organisations in supporting adoption and collaboration across the ecosystem.

In May 2026 a new release has been published on the common European data model for medical devices: ECHO. This is the collaboration between ten countries within in GS1 in Europe: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland. Medical devices are sold throughout Europe, so if your country is not there yet, come and see what the model looks like and how you can get involved. For the ones that are already included: discuss what will be planned next. And for all how you can connect with your industry to make data for medical devices a main priority.

Let’s be honest: there is a lot of noise around Artificial Intelligence right now, but what does it actually look like in the real world? This session is a hype-free zone. We are bringing together GS1 MOs to share what is working, what isn’t, and the lessons learned along the way. Whether you are looking at AI to automate tedious data entry or to predict supply chain hiccups, you will hear genuine stories from peers who are in the thick of it. Come along to pinch some good ideas, learn why clean GS1 data is the secret to making AI work, and discover how to take your first practical steps without getting overwhelmed.

Attend a comprehensive training covering the full spectrum of healthcare traceability, including WHO guidance and its strategic link to GS1 standards; traceability requirements for high-risk products such as implants, blood products and vaccines; pharmaceutical plant serialization set-up; national healthcare traceability platform development; and supply chain applications including inventory management, stock visibility, expiry tracking, and waste reduction.

During this session you will be updated on:

• the latest GDSN developments with a focus on the GDSN modernisation
• insights on new regulations that touch the FMCG sector
• updates from the B2B2C team on the harmonized data models for Europe: what is being worked on, what is planned.

As the event comes to a close, this final plenary will bring together the key insights, highlights, and takeaways from the week. Across sessions, from Vision 2030 and data sharing to sustainability, 2D migration, and emerging technologies, we have explored the priorities shaping GS1 in Europe and the critical role of MOs in driving impact. We will also dive into some of the upcoming challenges for the organisation and will set the scene for the months to come. Some of the emerging sectors that have been prioritised for Vision 2030 will be put on the agenda of this closing plenary.