GS1 Standards   " known as EAN/UCC Standards"

 

1.      Which sectors use GS1 standards ?

Any company in any sector, regardless of where it is located, can use the GS1 standards. GS1 numbers are unique keys to fixed or variable information characterising an item. This information may be communicated using standard formats.

Although the GS1 System was first implemented by the retail industry, it has rapidly expanded to include a range of commercial and industrial sectors that wished to identify not only consumer goods but also books, textiles, healthcare products, automotive parts, and many other products and services.

2.      What are the benefits of using GS1 standards ?

The application of GS1 standards can result in significant improvements in logistic operations. There many good reasons for using the GS1 numbering standards, these include:

·         They are unique: a separate unique number is allocated for each item

·         They are non-significant: the GS1 number itself is a key to access a database, which contains precise information on the unit.

·         They are multi-industry and international: their non-significance enables their use in all sectors, and their uniqueness permits their use across borders.

·         They are secure: GS1 numbers include a check digit which guarantees secure data capture.

3.      What are the reasons for choosing an "international" solution rather than an "industry" solution ?

Today many sectors of trade and industry recognise GS1 as the only identification and communication system which provides generally applicable, multi-sectorial, fully international standards. Despite its origin, the GS1 System's specific characteristics are not exclusively
applicable for the identification of goods, and have never been solely a solution for retailers only. Many major international companies use GS1 standards as tools to speed up their data flow in commercial exchanges, and to optimise the control of goods entering, being transformed in and leaving their premises.

 

A business which chooses an industry-specific standard will face the potentially high costs of maintaining two systems if it wants to sell its goods or services or simply communicate outside its "closed world".

  Numbering & Barcoding

1.      I need to barcode my product. What do I have to do? 

First of all, you need to join GS1 Jordan. Then GS1 Jordan will provide you with a company prefix and the GS1 standards.
You will then be responsible for allocating a unique number to each product from the number bank associated with the company prefix.

2.      What is the structure of a barcode?

 The structure of the GTIN includes the member organisation prefix, the number allocated to the company, the number of the product and a check digit. This number forms one indivisible identification number that is read in its entirety.The following numbering structures are used for the identification of trade items 8-digit GS1, 12-digit GS1, 13-digit GS1 and 14-digit GS1. All of them can be considered as a 14-digit GTIN.

3.      Do you provide me with the actual barcodes or how do I go about it?

No, you need to discuss this with whoever is designing or printing your packaging or labels. GS1 Jordan provides a list of printing & film master companies.

4.      How should a number be represented?

GS1 numbers identifying trade items may be represented by a bar code symbol. This data carrier allows the identification number to be machine read this enabling automatic data capture and data processing. The numeric value of the code in human readable figures in printed beneath the symbol.

5.      What is a check digit and do I have to work it out manually?

A check digit is the result of a mathematical calculation performed on the preceding digits. It is used during scanning to verify the barcode was correctly read. You can work them out yourself from the literature you will receive - it's not hard. If you have lots of numbers we can work them out for you.

6.      Does the GS1 membership number indicate country of origin of the product?

No, the two or three digit GS1 country prefix at the start of the member number eg. 625 for Jordan, only indicates the GS1 country of membership. There is no requirement for an organisation to be a member of GS1 in the country in which the goods are manufactured.

7.      Do barcodes always have to be printed black on white? 

No, various colour combinations can be used, but bars must always be darker than the background and a minimum contrast level between the two must be retained. We can provide you with a barcode colour guide.

8.      Can I encode information in a bar code such as colour or size ? 

EAN states that "each variant of a product (e.g. colour, style, size, etc.) should be assigned a separate, unique 13-digit GS1 number". The GS1 system is based on the non-significance of the numbers. In addition, it is recommended to allocate the numbers serially, in a non-significant way.
The colour or size are descriptive information which are attributes of the GS1 identification number in databases. 

9.      Can I use my GS1 numbering system all around the world?

Yes, GS1 International allocates numbers world-wide. The management of the system is carried out locally by GS1 Member Organisations established in 104 countries.
 

10. Can I find out the name of the manufacturer if I have only the GS1 number?

A database of the companies' prefixes, based on a volunteer basis, is available on website www.gepir.org. However, the number normally starts with the prefix of the numbering organization that allocated a bank of numbers to a company. It is possible to identify the company who allocated the number to the product, for more information, please contact GS1 Jordan.

11. Can I use GS1 standards for internal applications?

The GS1 system provides other number series for internal applications. This can be done 13-digit GS1 numbers starting with one of the prefixes reserved for this purpose in the range: 02, 04, or 20 to 29. These numbers cannot be used outside the company having allocated them.

  GS1-128 Barcode Symbol "known as UCC/ EAN-128"

1.      Do I have to register with my Member Organisation for GS1-128?

If you are not registered with an GS1 Member Organization, you will need to do so if you want to use the GS1-128.
If you are already registered with an GS1 Member Organization, the fee that you pay to your Member Organization includes support concerning all the GS1 standards, including GS1-128.

2.      Will GS1-128 replace the 13-digit GS1 or ITF-14 symbologies?

GS1-128 is a standard that responds to specific needs as explained in "GS1 identification for retail/trade items" and "GS1 Application Identifier and the GS1-128 symbology". It was created to enhance the existing GS1 standards, and complement 13-digit GS1 and ITF-14, not to replace them.

3.      Who is using GS1-128 and why?

The specifications for the GS1-128 bar code symbology and related Application Identifiers were first published in February 1989. Since then the use of GS1-128 has grown exponentially. The combination of a secure bar code symbology and standardised data content is being used in many supply chain applications including:

§         Tracking and Tracing of Logistic Units;

§         Identification of Trade Units;

§         Tracking and Tracing of Returnable Assets.

Users of the GS1 standards include internationally recognised Retailers, Healthcare Providers, Manufacturers, Transporters and Logistic Service Providers.

4.      Can my printer print and my scanner scan GS1-128?

It depends on the type of equipment you are using and the way it is programmed, you should ask your equipment supplier to answer this question.

5.      Is GS1-128 only for pallets?

No, the tracking and tracing of logistic units, mainly pallets, is a major application that utilises the GS1-128 specifications. However, GS1-128 is being used in a host of other supply chain applications including:

§         The identification of trade units;

§         The encoding of additional information, beyond primary identification, on trade units, such as batch numbers, production date and best before date;

§         Tracking and Tracing of Returnable Assets;

and many other applications.