On October 12–15, 2026, the regular GS1 in Europe Regional Forum was held in Istanbul (Turkey). Alongside the heads of national organizations, the Chairwoman of GS1 Turkmenistan, Aykamar Malikgulyyeva, took part in its work online.
The key event of the year brought together 49 Member Organizations, experts, and invited guests to discuss global standards, innovation, and digital transformation.
Forum participants discussed the implementation of Vision 2030, exchanging ideas on regional collaboration in light of the overarching GS1 strategy for 2025–2030. Sessions and interactive workshops were dedicated to practical solutions for implementing long-term strategies and technological innovations.
Delegates recorded key steps to implement the global strategy "Accelerating as One GS1." 49 national organizations approved technology transition plans for the European and Asian regions and agreed on the final stage of retail migration to two-dimensional barcodes (including GS1 DataMatrix and QR codes with GS1 Digital Link).
A practical outcome of the forum was also the approval of a roadmap for the standardization of Digital Product Passports (DPP) in accordance with EU eco-requirements. Participants of the regional event decided to synchronize standards with regulations on packaging (PPWR), deforestation (EUDR), and construction products. The concept of introducing autonomous AI agents for automatic validation and matching of master data in the global GDSN network was approved, and the success of implementing the ECHO model for medical device data exchange was consolidated.
As part of the focus on the Turkish market (as a cross-border hub), pilot projects were agreed on using GS1 standards for railway digitalization, optimization of customs declarations, and integration of logistics systems into unified European data spaces (SAGE, CEADS).
According to tradition, a meeting of the Board of Directors of national GS1 organizations took place during the GS1 in Europe forum.