A barcode simply represents numbers or letters in a machine-readable format that can be decoded, recorded and processed by a computer system when read by a barcode scanner. GS1 barcodes carry information, including GS1 identification keys, about physical things like products and trade items, assets, logistic units and shipments, or people and locations at any point in the supply chain.

They can also include extended identifiers such as batch/lot information and expiry dates for food traceability and safety.

An RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag uses radio waves to transmit this information so the tag doesn't have to be visible and many tags can be read at the same time.

GS1 barcodes

GS1 EPC/RFID

More information GS1 standards and manuals.