Hybrid EPCIS: Integrating GS1/ISO Standards with On-Chain and Off-Chain Distributed Ledger for Supply Chain Traceability

Abstract

Ensuring transparency and security in supply chain management requires robust traceability solutions that adhere to industry standards. This paper presents a Hybrid EPCIS model that integrates GS1 and ISO EPCIS/CBV 2.0 open standards with blockchain technology to enhance data integrity, interoperability, and scalability. Our approach supports two deployment models: fully on-chain, where all event data is recorded directly on the blockchain, and hybrid, where full event details are stored in an off-chain EPCIS repository while only event hashes and optional fields are recorded onchain. Implemented on Hyperledger Fabric, the system provides standardized mechanisms for capturing, querying, and subscribing to EPCIS events while optimizing storage efficiency and query performance. Performance evaluations using Hyperledger Caliper validate the feasibility of the proposed framework, making it a practical solution for supply chain applications that require blockchain-backed traceability with flexible data management.