Supply-chain information standards are concepts, terms, words and codes that have common and consistent meaning for each supply-chain participant. They are used to define and identify products, services and information that moves between participants in the supply chain.

The use of global standards for numbering, barcoding and eMessaging offers benefits to all parties in the red-meat industry supply chain by reducing costs, saving time, providing traceability, and increasing accuracy through management of the entire supply chain.

Three components of information standards

1. Identification This comprises standard numbering on carcases, cartons, and pallet labels.

2. Data Carriers This comprises of barcodes, RFIDs, pallet labels, carton labels and carcase tickets.

3. E-Messaging This comprises of transmitting data between trading parties electronically, such as the eMTC and eNVD.