GS1 standard country barcodes

GS1 is a global organization dedicated to developing and maintaining international standards for manufacturer registration, product identification and information exchange in supply chains. It includes guidelines for country barcodes, product identifiers, electronic data interchange (EDI) and other technologies. The most important GS1 standard is the Global Trade Item Number (GTIN).

Management of the GS1 system in our country is handled by the GS1 Poland Foundation. It is the only institution authorized to accept companies from Poland and the EU into the GS1 System and to grant them the authority to use GS1 codes.

Country barcodes: differences between EAN and GTIN

The 13-digit GTIN number allows products to be uniquely identified worldwide and is the basis of the GS1 System. Each product available in a store has a unique GTIN, consisting of a country number, manufacturer number, product number. EAN is the name of one of the GS1 barcodes in which the GTIN number is encrypted. The EAN-13 barcode is a graphical representation of the GTIN number.

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EAN 13 code on products
The EAN (European Article Number) code is a standardized bar code that is on all products available in stores around the world. The EAN code can consist of 8, 12, 13 or 14 numbers. In the most common EAN-13 barcode, the first three digits of each stand for the code of the country where the product was manufactured. The next four digits denote the manufacturer’s code, and the remaining five digits specify the type of assortment.

GS1 logistics labels. And are you marking your labels properly? Read on!

The country codes are shown in the table at the bottom of the page.

GS1-128 barcode
The GS1-128 code is a bar code used on logistics labels using the SSCC number. The logistics label, which conforms to the standard set by the GS1 organization, is the basis of the tracking system for shipping units, preventing cargo from being lost and providing comprehensive data on its transport path.

What does the SSCC code mean?

SSCC (Serial Shipping Container Code) – Serial Shipping Container Number is a globally unique 18-digit number assigned by GS1 organizations. Based on it, a GS1-128 barcode is created, which is used to label shipments.

GS1 logistics label

The logistics label in the GS1 standard, contains the SSCC code, unique in the world. The label prints information about the product, its quantity, date of production, production lot number and many other features in text form and in the form of barcode 128. GS1 logistics labels also have standardized dimensions. They can be in two formats: 104×150 mm and 150×210 mm.

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What equipment is needed to print state barcodes?

Barcode printers

A barcode printer is a device for creating barcode labels. They can be used to identify products, manage inventory, track goods or facilitate the sales process. Printers have a built-in barcode generator (including EAN EAN-8, EAN-13, UPC and EAN with extensions, UPC-A, UPC-E, logistics codes) and two-dimensional codes (DataMatrix, MaxiCode, QR Code, TLC 39, MicroPDF, RSS-14, Aztec). Label printers with a code generator guarantee the printing of a code with the correct structure, correct proportions and resolution on the label.

Barcode software

Special software is used to create barcode labels, including EAN13 and GS1 logistics labels. ETILABEL program is a professional yet easy-to-use tool for creating barcode labels. ETILABEL has templates for logistics labels, so you can easily prepare a GS1 label with your SSCC number.

Barcode readers

Barcode readers are devices used to scan and read information stored in barcodes. With them, you can quickly and accurately collect data about products, shipments or goods. Code scanners are commonly used in logistics, commerce, warehouses and production lines. Most readers read all popular types of codes, including EAN-8, EAN-13 and EAN-128.

Self-adhesive labels

Self-adhesive labels, due to their practicality and ease of application, are widely used in various industries. Barcode labels are used to label goods in stores, products on production lines, packages and pallets for shipment, as well as to identify storage containers and racks, fixed assets and documents.

Learn about country barcodes according to GS1 organization

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