The renewed audit programme: a boost for your data quality!

On 1 April 2025, GS1 Belgium & Luxembourg will launch its renewed audit programme to further enhance data quality. We are keeping the strengths of the current programme while introducing smart improvements. For example, artificial intelligence is taking a step forward in efficiency, allowing us to offer part of the programme free of charge!

To inform you about the new audit programme, we are hosting a webinar on 9 April.

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Why invest in data quality?

Consumers expect clear, reliable product information that is always digitally accessible. Incorrect or inconsistent data can cause confusion—something no brand owner wants. Additionally, retailers are increasingly demanding verified datasets before listing products online.

By ensuring your product data in My Product Manager is complete and accurate, you build trust, meet retailer requirements, and ensure your products are positioned optimally in the market.

What’s changing in the renewed audit programme?

The core principle remains the same: GS1 experts compare your digital product data with the product label and provide feedback if anything is incorrect. However, two major changes have been introduced:

✅ Your first audit is free!

Previously, every audit incurred a fixed fee. From now on, the first check of a product is free of charge. If your product scores 100% immediately, you pay nothing. A great incentive for companies that prioritise high-quality product data!

✅ All new and modified products will be audited

We are saying goodbye to random sampling. From now on, every new or modified* product will automatically be reviewed. This ensures feedback as of the launch on the market and guarantees high data quality across your entire product range.

Additionally, we are expanding the programme to new product categories. In addition to pre-packaged food, we will now audit detergents, cosmetics, and pet food.

Collaboration with the industry

The renewed audit programme is the result of extensive discussions with retailers and suppliers within the GS1 Belgilux "Future of Data Quality" working group. We evaluated the strengths of the existing programme, such as fast and expert product assessments, while also addressing areas for improvement, including low participation rates.

Together with the working group members, we established the key principles for a renewed programme. It became clear that retailers want as many products audited as possible, while suppliers focused on removing barriers to participation. We also looked beyond our borders to examine how the Netherlands and Germany approach this challenge.

New audit engine

In parallel with the working group, GS1 developed and successfully launched the new ‘My Data Capture’ service. The secret behind this service? The integration of artificial intelligence, enabling product labels to be converted into a standardised GS1 dataset in less than a minute.

By applying this modular AI technology to the audit programme, GS1 has responded to the requests of the working group. In the future, a significantly higher number of products will be audited, but thanks to increased efficiency, we can maintain speed and quality while also offering the programme free of charge for products that achieve 100% compliance in their first check.