Barcodes are essential for modern retail, but there are many misconceptions about how they work and what their numbers mean. This fact sheet clears up common myths and provides accurate information about retail barcodes.
1. The Purpose of Barcodes
Barcodes are designed primarily to help retailers. They allow quick retrieval of product data, reducing human error associated with manual entry. Barcodes are fast, accurate, and streamline the checkout process.
2. Common Retail Barcode Formats
The two main retail barcode formats used worldwide are:
- EAN-13 (13 digits, includes a leading zero)
- UPC-A (12 digits, leading zero omitted)
Our barcodes fall within the 060–089 range for EAN-13 or 60–89 for UPC-A. These formats are the global standard for most retail products.
3. Product Categories Suitable for EAN-13 and UPC-A
EAN-13 and UPC-A are suitable for nearly all retail products except:
- Books (require ISBNs)
- Magazines (require ISSNs)
- Pharmaceuticals (require pharmacodes or DataMatrix codes)
4. Unique Barcodes for Unique Products
Each unique product requires its own barcode number. For example, all 300ml Coke cans share the same barcode, no matter how many units are sold.
5. Barcodes Are Not Legally Required
While no laws mandate barcodes, most retailers require them to stock products. Retailer requirements vary:
- Some demand direct GS1 membership.
- Others accept barcodes that meet GS1 standards or require a barcode verification report.
Our barcodes meet GS1 standards and pass verification reports.
6. What Barcodes Contain
Barcodes only encode the numbers visible beneath the bars. Product details are stored in each retailer’s unique database, not within the barcode itself.
7. No Centralized Global Database
There is no universal database for all barcodes and products. Retailers maintain independent systems, and product data is only available within the retailer’s own database.
8. How Retailers Use Barcodes
Retailers register your product’s barcode in their systems when onboarding it. This process links the barcode to your product information in their database, enabling it to appear at checkout (Point of Sale).
9. GS1’s GEPIR Database
GS1’s GEPIR system only shows the original holder of a barcode prefix, not product details. Some online databases and apps provide product information, but these are not linked to retailers’ systems.
10. GS1 Membership
GS1 is a voluntary membership organization, not a mandatory one. However, all globally unique barcodes originate from GS1 or the UCC system. Our barcodes come from the same system and can be legally sold.
11. Country of Origin Myth
Barcodes do not indicate a product’s country of origin. The prefix only shows where the barcode was first issued, not where the product was made. For example:
- A product made in the U.S. can have a “955” prefix.
- A product made in Malaysia can have a “078” prefix.
12. Internal Use Barcodes
Barcodes generated through free tools or made-up numbers are only suitable for internal use, like inventory management. Using these for retail risks duplication with GS1/UCC barcodes.
13. Assigning Barcodes
The responsibility for assigning barcodes lies with the product owner, whether you purchase from a third party like us or directly from GS1.
14. Global Compatibility
Our EAN-13 and UPC-A barcodes are:
- GTINs (Global Trade Item Numbers)
- Compatible with retail systems worldwide
15. Exceptions
Our barcodes are suitable for most retail products except:
- Books: Require ISBNs from an ISBN agency.
- Magazines: Require ISSNs from an ISSN agency.
- Pharmaceuticals: Require pharmacodes or DataMatrix codes.