At each checkpoint, individual products, cartons or containers, are scanned using barcodes to easily interpret product information. Every barcode encodes a unique product identification number. This number is the basis of trade, facilitating a continuous and accurate product information flow throughout the supply chain. This unique product identification number is referred to as GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) or EAN (European Article Number). In this blog, you will learn about EAN numbers, understand their importance and benefits, uncover the different types of EAN numbers and know the complete process of generating these numbers.
EAN number is a type of barcode numbering symbology that provides unique identification to stock-keeping units (SKUs), individual products and cartons or cases. Just as no two cars share the same registration numbers, an EAN is also unique for each product or location. EAN no. is synonymously used for GTIN. EAN/GTIN are encoded in barcodes to sell products hassle-free in online and offline marketplaces. Find below the different types of EAN/GTIN barcode symbology's.
Types of EAN Number
EAN/GTIN is of two types; depending on the product packaging or any other requirements, the seller may choose either of them. Mentioned below are the types and usage scenarios of each for easy understanding –
In the retail sector, EAN/GTIN works when encoded in either a one-dimensional (1D) or two-dimensional (2D) barcode. Companies subscribe to GS1 barcodes and generate GTINs/EANs for their products through DataKart – the national product data repository. This EAN/GTIN is then encoded in the selected barcode format and the image is downloaded for printing purposes.
When a product with a barcode is scanned using a scanner or a mobile phone (in the case of a 2D barcode) it reads the information encoded and decrypts the number. At retail point-of-sale, the system then cross-references this number with the local product database to retrieve product information associated with that number.
This complete barcode process eliminates any information discrepancies and ensures every supply chain stakeholder – retailer, manufacturer, wholesaler or consumer, benefits from accurate and detailed product information. This provides multiple other benefits such as inventory management, track & trace, pricing accuracy, supply chain management and others which we will discuss later in detail in this blog.
If you are a business owner who wishes to sell products on offline and online marketplaces, you need to first subscribe to GS1 barcodes. They are the only authorised, interoperable, structured and standardised barcodes that conform to global supply chain standards and meet the regulatory requirements.
Below provided are the steps to create your own EAN/GTIN –
Please note, that only DataKart can be used to generate EAN/GTIN for your products, no other tool or service provider available in India can issue authorised barcodes to sellers.
Barcodes play an important role in simplifying supply chain processes and in helping businesses achieve operational excellence. Below are some important benefits that GS1 barcodes help businesses achieve –
EAN stands for European Article Number
EAN can be either 13-digits or 8-digits depending on the product type.
Companies obtain GCP (Global Company Prefix) from GS1 India which can then be used to log into DataKart to generate EAN/GTIN codes.
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