What is a barcode?
It is a method of visually representing data in 2-dimensional bars that can be read by optical-scanning scanning machines called barcode readers.
It enables retailers to record a number against product details in their inventory system, and then easily track the movement of inventory and the sale of products.
There is NO product information encoded in retail barcodes:
Barcodes are simply unique numbers, drawn from a large international database and allocated to a customer.
The bars of the barcode ONLY encode the number shown under the bars; they signify no other data.
The barcode does not have your product details and price – a retailer has these details in a computer system.
The computer identifies your barcode number when it is scanned, and associates it with your product details.
How do I register a barcode with the retailer so that it is scannable?
Your retailer has to manually associate the barcode number to their product details within their system:
Given that the barcode is simply a number, when a retailer first receives your product, they need to scan (or type) the barcode number into their computer system, and then digitally associate it with a product.
They will also enter other product information such as product name, description, retail price, supplier etc.
Thereafter, when the barcode is scanned at the checkout, the correct information will be displayed. Larger retailer chains will require you to enter all this information onto a form, which is then entered into their computer system automatically.
Retail barcodes do not have to be registered, but we offer registration for free:
Registration is not compulsory, but we provide it as a free service. If you purchases retail barcodes (EAN or UPC) from our IBN you will be able to register your barcode numbers and product details for free on the International Barcodes Database.
Why can’t I just make up numbers if they are not universally registered?
Retail barcode numbers are globally unique numbers and are protected:
You cannot just make up barcode numbers to use (unless you are ONLY selling your products within your own store, with no reference to the outside world).
Legitimate barcode numbers need to be either
- Purchased outright for life (from us at IBN for example), or
- Obtained by means of a license arrangement from a licensing organisation (this is usually very expensive and the trade is globally monopolised by a single body)
Barcode numbers say NOTHING about the country of origin of the product or the company:
The first few digits of a barcode number ONLY show the country of origin of the BARCODE NUMBER (not the product).
Our numbers start with 07 which shows that the NUMBER comes from the USA.
This does not need to be used in the USA – we have thousands of customers using tens of thousands of our barcodes in 100+ countries without any problems.
Is my barcode number automatically registered in a universal database, and retrievable anywhere?
No, there is no universal database, and your barcode number by default is likely only stored in your retailer’s Point Of Sale (POS) system. We do however have the means for you to register it internationally in our own system.
Barcode historical background:
The barcoding system was created in the 1970s by George Laurer.
It is a universal system for keeping track of items and prices in inventory systems worldwide.
This is now used by almost all retailers worldwide and works under the premise that each barcode is only allocated to one product, so in any store there is no chance of a barcode being on two different products.
Legality:
No legal requirements are set for retail barcodes, but they do need to meet accepted retail industry standards.
A different barcode number is needed for each unique product or product variant:
For example:
- For 3 different products you need 3 barcodes.
- For 3 different products where each has 2 size variants, you will need 3 x 2 variants = 6 barcodes.
- For 3 different products where each has 2 size variants and 5 colour variants, you will need 3 x 2 variants x 5 variants = 30 barcodes.
You can then sell unlimited numbers of a unique product with a particular barcode on it.
The best way to get a barcode onto a product is to incorporate the barcode image in the design of the product packaging:
Ideally, IBN supplies the barcode images up front for customers to incorporate into the product design and printing.
However, if customers have already printed their product packaging, they can then add a barcode using a separate sticky label.
Our barcodes can be scanned by ALL retailers WORLDWIDE:
Physically they can be scanned anywhere, but a very small group of retailers have extra requirements that restrict barcode usage.
For details of barcode acceptance worldwide see https://internationalbarcodes.com/barcode-acceptance/
License or purchase outright?
All legal retail barcodes (including ours) originate from the Uniform Code Council (UCC) system.
You can obtain your barcodes by means of a licensing arrangement but you will typically be required to
- complete multi-page membership forms,
- pay joining fees and annual renewal fees
- wait for approval.
… or you can purchase your barcodes from a genuine barcode reseller company such as ourselves.
Barcode types:
Barcodes are normally known internationally as the EAN/GTIN-13 (European Article Number) or as a UPC/GTIN-12 (Universal Product Code).
The UPC is a unique 12-digit number designed in the early 1970’s.
The EAN was created and used a few years later by the EAN foundation, and it is a 13-digit number and format. The EAN foundation later merged globally with the UCC.
“GTIN” is a newer name given to the UPC/EAN codes.
The “Global Trade Identification Number” comprises the total digits of the code:
- 12 digits for UPC, so it is referred to as GTIN-12,
- 13 digits for EAN, so it is referred to as EAN-13
Below is an example UPC/GTIN-12 bar code image commonly used in the USA & Canada.
These are used on all retail products except for books and magazines.
EAN-13 barcodes are used predominantly throughout the world in all countries except for the US and Canada where UPC-A Barcodes are more common.
UPC, ISBN and ISSN barcodes (among others) are a subset of EAN-13 Barcodes:
