The barcode – EAN, GTIN and GS1 standard

The barcode is a binary code consisting of a field of parallel bars and spaces between them. Barcodes (also known as bar codes) have successfully established themselves in recent years in contrast to other systems.

These are arranged according to a predetermined image and are interpreted as certain characters or character strings. They can be read using a laser scanner. The different reflection of a laser beam on the black lines and white spaces is evaluated. The reading can also be done using a CCD (Charge-Coupled-Device) reader. The CCD reader is designed like a barcode camera with a CCD line. The code is imaged on the CCD line with sufficient contrast and evaluated.

Development of the barcode

The most widely used barcode is the EAN code (European Article Number), which was designed in 1976 for the European food trade. The aim of the EAN was to ensure a Europe-wide unique identification of articles. After only a few years, the EAN coding was also used in Asia, Africa, Australia and South America. In 2002, the global umbrella organization EAN was merged with the North American UCC (Uniform Code Council) to form today’s GS1 (Global Standards 1). As a result, a new term was established for the compatible identification systems EAN and UPC (Uniform Product Code): GTIN (Global Trade Item Number). GS1 hopes that this will lead to the unique identification of items and services worldwide.

GS1 standard

The GS1 standard is an integral part of the value chain as early as the production stage. During the procurement and manufacturing of products, each individual item, as well as the product itself, is assigned a Global Trade Item Number, GTIN for short, (unique item number). Information for further processes such as warehousing, transportation, delivery, retail and returns follows. All of this information is generally stored together on the “GS1-Standard 128” code variant. Each item is given a unique label that identifies it within a specific packaging hierarchy.

The individual data element basically consists of the two- to four-digit data identifier (see graphic) and the subsequent data content, for example the shelf life. In addition to the batch number and the shelf life, the item description, transport unit, identification and classification number, lot number and net weight can also be stored.

Barcode: SSCC-Code - GS1_128

Advantages of the GS1 standard:

Fast recording at goods receipt or in the middle of the flow of goods
• Flexible and fast creation of data carriers and labels
• Cost-effective data carrier medium
• Can be combined with plain text on one data carrier
• 16,000 and more scans per second, at a conveyor speed of 2.3 meters per second
• Verifiably error-free barcode reading
• Fewer manual processes, more automation
• Real-time data synchronization at a collection station

For more information about barcodes, see the overview of different barcode types.

 

Image source: © Stauke – Fotolia.com