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

The new version of the GS1 Benelux data model for the FMCG & Foodservice sector (3.1.33) has been published. It will go live on 15 November 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

The instructions for entering product claims have been clarified:
- Every nutrition or health claim recognised by the EU must be entered as Claim description.
- Other claims on the packaging must be entered via Element claim code and Claim type code.
- You can also enter claims that are not on the packaging via Claim marked on the package indicator.
Following a change in the responsible collective, the term Eco-score is being changed to Green-score in Belgium. More information can be found here.
Attributes are being added to the audit programme scope to verify whether the Green-score (Eco-score) is correctly filled in and in alignment with the Dutch data quality programme:
- Certification agency
- Certification standard
- Packaging type code
- Product classification code

Global Changes

In the GPC brick structure, the following bricks are being added among others:
- 10008492 Lids (Disposable)
- 10008493 Herbs - Other
For Growing method code (growingMethodCode), the GDSN Xpath is being replaced.
Several local code lists are being updated in line with the GDSN code lists.

New and updated validations

In Belgium, the VAT rate of 21% corresponds to the code value STANDARD in the attribute Tax category code. Since HIGH is still wrongly used in many cases, validation VR_DIY_B2B_0077 will become a blocking error.
A new error VR_FMCGB2C_0385 will block the product sheet if a valid product image is missing after the Start availability date time has passed.
For products that always or potentially fall under the European Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), it becomes mandatory (via a warning) to provide info through the attributes Regulation type and Regulation compliance indicator (VR_DIY_B2B_HC_0012 & VR_DIY_B2B_HC_0013).
In the context of the European General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR), it will also be mandatory to provide contact information for non-food products. The Contact type code must include the value ‘CXC’ at least once (warning VR_FMCGB2C_0368).
For 25 attributes that appear as text on the label, warnings will be added regarding language use. In Belgium, information is expected in Dutch, French and German; in Luxembourg in French and German. If a language does not appear on the packaging, the information may be translated.