Michael Kilgariff, ALC managing director.

The Australian Logistics Council (ALC) and GS1 Australia have created a new high-level industry working group to improve supply chain efficiency and product traceability.

The ALC Supply Chain Standards Working Group will focus on better aligning the transport and logistics sector with Australian industry in the adoption of global standards for identification, information capture and sharing across supply chains.

"Australia’s rising freight task, coupled with low levels of productivity in the transport sector means industry must use all the tools at its disposal to improve supply chain efficiency," says Michael Kilgariff, ALC managing director.

"Central to this is adopting a whole-of-supply-chain approach to the way in which we identify and utilise new and emerging technologies, as well as foster new opportunities on the horizon.

GS1 Australia CEO Maria Palazzolo says many Australian industries have already adopted GS1 standards to reduce supply chain costs and are now seeking the same approach from their transport and logistics providers.

Objectives of the working group include:
• Working with industry groups to help resolve supply chain issues including non-compliant pallet labelling, poor intermodal visibility, rapid recall and withdrawal of defective products and poor data quality;
• Aligning the T&L sector with Australian industry in the adoption of global standards for identification, information capture and sharing across supply chains;
• Considering the potential benefits that other relevant technologies and services may provide;
• Developing a work plan that provides a possible T&L industry roadmap to implement global GS1 standards and related industry solutions; and
• Developing industry guidelines and case studies.

GS1 Australia is a non-profit organisation providing global supply chain system of standards and is best known for administering the barcode system.