What does the Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) specifically identify?

The Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) is a unique identifier used to recognize and differentiate products in the global marketplace. It specifically identifies finished goods that are sold to consumers. GTINs are essential for various aspects of commerce, including inventory management, sales tracking, and facilitating efficient supply chain operations. By providing a unique number to each product, businesses can streamline processes such as ordering, stocking, and selling, thereby enhancing accuracy and reducing errors in the distribution chain.

The other options do not accurately represent the purpose of the GTIN. Individual suppliers of goods may be tracked through other identification systems, but the GTIN is designed to specifically identify products themselves. Health records of patients or locations of manufacturing facilities are entirely separate systems with their own respective identifiers and do not fall within the scope of what a GTIN represents.