Publication of the new GS1 Benelux FMCG & Foodservice data model (May 2025)

The new version of the GS1 Benelux data model for the FMCG & Foodservice sector (3.1.31) has been published. It will go live on 24 May 2025. Retailers will receive data according to the new data model from then on. Suppliers should therefore ensure that any changes have been implemented by then.

New and modified fields

10 new attributes are added to the data model to indicate the product’s carbon footprint. This information is optional and will appear in My Product Manager in the product sheet under the new Sustainability tab. Several of these new attributes use new code lists.
In the contact information tab, two attributes are added to indicate whether the full set of contact details or a specific contact channel is displayed on the label. These attributes will only be mandatory for data that is not present on the label.
In the nutritients tab, a new attribute Exact pH value is added. This field must be completed if the pH value is displayed on the packaging.
For each type of packaging material, the corresponding packaging material quantity attribute can now only be filled in once. A validation (error) will be in place to check this.
A note has been added to the Packaging Type Code attribute. The field may no longer contain the value "PLP" (peel pack) for consumer units of food products. A validation (warning) has also been implemented for this.
The Special Item Code attribute can now also be used to indicate that a product is payable with meal vouchers.

Key changes

Several attributes have received updated definitions at a global level.
The link to the global standard for product and packaging dimensions has been updated in the data model.
Global code lists have been updated, preventing, among other things, the duplicate entry of the pregnancy warning in the NIX18 label for alcoholic products.

New and Updated Validations

Validation VR_DIY_B2B_HC_0006 will now be an error. This rule prohibits multiple Intrastat codes for the same GTIN.
A new validation rule (warning VR_DIY_B2B_0047) will check that for the Packaging Type Code, a crate indicates whether it is returnable.
Validation VR_DIY_B2B_0035 will now be an error. This rule prohibits certain code values for composite material detail packaging material type code.
Validation VR_FMCGB2B_0173 will now be an error. This rule requires that for composite material, the quantity must also be filled in.
A new validation rule (warning VR_FMCGB2B_0589) will check whether the attribute Packaging material classification code has been entered for polymers.
Several contact details validations have been clarified and harmonised across the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg.