BCCI is not indifferent to how the commercial chains and their suppliers in Bulgaria are going to cope with the crisis

On 17 March 2010 a round table was held on the topic of Problems and Perspectives in Applying GS1 Standards in Bulgaria. The meeting was initiated by the GS1 Bulgaria Council at the BCCI and was attended by representatives of METRO Cash and Carry Bulgaria Ltd., Billa Bulgaria Ltd., Kaufland Bulgaria Ltd., Doverie Briko Plc., Evropa-VN Ltd. , Promarket Ltd. and Frodo Market Ltd.

In his speech to the round table participants Tsvetan Simeonov, BCCI President and Chairman of the Bureau of GS1 Bulgaria Council, said the BCCI is not indifferent to how the commercial chains and their suppliers in Bulgaria are going to overcome the crisis . The GS1 Standards have set on a global scale as rules facilitating the relations between all participants along the chain and are an efficient instrument in optimizing the processes within the companies and in the communications between the commercial partners. Taking these rules into consideration now involves costs, which in the short future will be justified. Tsvetan Simeonov appealed to the commercial chains to assist the National organization GS1 in fighting illegitimate numbers and thus defending the interests of its members and guarantee the system’s integrity . Identifying goods and services by the GS1 standards underlies stable traceability systems, certification of the products authenticity, combating false documents, safety of foods, safety of patients, etc.

In the course of discussion outlined were problems registered both on the organization’s part and on the part of the commercial chains. Discussed were actions to remove these problems in the framework of a long-term durable cooperation.

As part of the preparation for future implementation, the representatives of the commercial chains were acquainted with the possibilities of the new GS1 DataBar symbolics, which is used for unique marking of goods of variable weight and fresh products . At this stage it is necessary to investigate how well prepared are the chains to operate with this symbolics and what is necessary to readjust the available systems.

Discussed was the need for inclusion into a Global Synchronization Network ( GDSN ), which provides access for the partners along the information supply chain accompanying the various business processes and simultaneously allows to follow up goods movement in global scale. The national GS1 organization is planning to hold a seminar on this topic, tailored for merchants and producers, with a presentation by SA2 Worldsync - one of the leading operators in this direction.