Barcode Technology - EAN-14 (GTIN-14) Barcode               Hide the description

The EAN 14 code is used for traded goods. The code is always 14 numeric digits long.

Today the EAN-14 mostly is created using the EAN-128 symbol set.

Valid characters: 0123456789.

EAN-14 is one of the many barcode formats currently in use.

A Barcode is a method of representing data in a visual, machine-readable form.

The barcode formats has two categories:

One-dimensional (1D) --- Barcodes represented data by varying the widths and spacings of parallel lines.

Two-dimensional (2D) --- Using rectangles, dots, hexagons and other geometric patterns to represented data.

Check digit:

Digits: 0 4 0 0 7 6 3 0 0 0 0 1 1
Weight: 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3
Results: 0+4+0+0+21+6+9+0+0+0+0+1+3 = 44
Calculate checksum: The addition to the next multiple of 10. (50)
Check digit 6.

Human Readable:

Most barcodes display their corresponding values below them, which makes it possible to human read and manually  enter the barcode values into the equivalent system when the barcode label is worn out and cannot be read by the barcode scanner.

The Advantages of using barcodes:

If you want to reduce costs and save time, using barcodes is a good choice. Whether you are a company or a non-commercial organization, to improve efficiency and reduce overhead, barcodes are a valuable and viable option, which is economical and reliable.

Using Barcode system eliminates the possibility of human error. The error rate of manually entering data is
significantly higher than that of scan barcodes. Barcode scanning is fast and reliable, and it takes much less time than manual data entry. Especially when using a QR code, hundreds of characters can be read and entered into your system instantly.

The barcode system is very versatile, it can be used for any necessary data collection. This may include pricing or inventory information or management information service system. In addition, because barcodes can be affixed to almost any surface, they can be used not only to track the product itself, but also to track the production process, shipments and equipments.

Using barcode system will improve the inventory control is improved, it can track inventory accurately, inventory levels can be reduced it will lower the rate of eavesdropping. The location of the inventory and device can also be tracked, thereby reducing the time it takes to find the inventory and device.

The barcode system provide better data. Because a barcode can store various information such as inventory and pricing, especially when using QR Code, it can store thousands of characters, so the data stored in the barcode can be quickly obtained by the barcode reader, this fast turnaround ensures that time is not wasted on data entry or retrieval. In addition, the barcode can be customized to include other relevant information as needed. They provide fast and reliable data for various applications.

When barcodes are used in management information systems, they can promote better decision-making. Because data is obtained quickly and accurately, you can quickly obtain a full range of information for the entire company or organization, so it is possible to make more informed decisions. Better decisions can ultimately save time and money.

Barcodes are cheap and user-friendly, providing an indispensable tool for tracking data from pricing to inventory. The end result of a comprehensive bar code system is reduced overhead.

FAQ About EAN-14 Barcode

What is the historical origin of the EAN-14 barcode?

The EAN-14 barcode is a barcode used for commodity identification and supply chain management. It is part of the EAN (European Article Numbering) system. The historical origin of the EAN-14 barcode is related to the EAN-13 barcode, which is an extension of the 12-bit UPC-A (Universal Product Code) standard developed by George J. Laurer in 1970.

George J. Laurer was an American engineer and inventor best known for his development of the Universal Product Code (UPC). He was born in New York on September 23, 1925. He has a strong electrical engineering background and has worked at IBM (International Business Machines Corporation) for more than 30 years. He published 20 publications, held 28 patents, and developed UPC in the early 1970s. The UPC barcode is a visual system of bars and spaces that gives each product a unique number.

Features of EAN-14 barcode:

1. Globally applicable: It is a universal barcode standard that is widely used in various industries and countries.

2. Numeric encoding: EAN-14 code is used to represent numbers and can contain numeric characters between 0 and 9.
3. Fixed length: Each EAN-14 code consists of 14 numeric characters and has a fixed length.

4. Barcode structure: It consists of bars and spaces. The width of the bars and the width of the spaces are different, forming a unique coding structure.

It can use two different encoding methods, ITF-14 or GS1-128, and choose the appropriate method according to different application scenarios.

It cannot be used directly for the identification of retail goods and can only be used for packaging units.

It needs to follow strict coding rules and formats, and numbers cannot be added or deleted at will.

Encoding rules for EAN-14 barcodes:

1. Identification symbol: The first one to three digits of the EAN-14 code are identification symbols, which are used to indicate what the code represents, such as the manufacturer or a specific product series.

2. Company Prefix: The next four to five digits are the company prefix, which identifies the manufacturer or supplier.

3. Product code: Following the company prefix is the product code, usually five to nine digits, used to uniquely identify a specific product.

4. Check digit: The last digit is the check digit, which is used to verify the accuracy of the entire EAN-14 code.

What is the difference between EAN-14 barcode and EAN-13 barcode?

The EAN-14 barcode is used to uniquely identify and track packaging units, while the EAN-13 barcode is used to uniquely identify and track individual items.

The EAN-14 barcode is based on the encoding rules of the EAN-128 code. The length is 14 digits, and the 14th digit is the check digit, which is calculated from the previous 13 digits. The EAN-13 barcode is based on the encoding rules of the EAN-8 code. The length is 13 digits, and the 13th digit is the check digit, which is calculated from the previous 12 digits.

There are two forms of EAN-14 barcodes, one is with an application identifier (01) followed by a 14-bit code, and the other is a 14-bit code without an application identifier. The EAN-13 barcode has only one representation, a 13-digit code without an application identifier.

What is the difference between EAN-14 barcode and SSCC-18?

The EAN-14 barcode is used to identify packaging units, such as boxes, pallets, containers, etc. Its length is 14 digits, and the first digit is an extension digit, used to indicate the packaging type.

SSCC-18 is used to identify logistics units, such as transport vehicles, containers, etc. Its length is 18 bits, the first bit is the application identifier (00), and the second bit is the extension bit, used to increase the capacity of SSCC . EAN-14 barcodes can use ITF-14, EAN/UPC or GS1-128 encoding, while SSCC-18 can only use GS1-128 encoding.

What is the difference between EAN-14 barcode and GS1-128?

The EAN-14 barcode is a barcode standard used to identify packaging units. Its length is 14 digits, and the first digit is an extension digit used to indicate the packaging type.

GS1-128 is a barcode encoding method used to identify goods or logistics units. Its length can vary. The first bit is an application identifier, which is used to indicate the meaning of the data.

EAN-14 barcodes can use GS1-128 encoding, ITF-14 or EAN/UPC encoding 23.

GS1-128 encoding can be used to produce EAN-14 barcodes, and can also be used to produce other types of barcodes such as SSCC-18, EAN/UCC-128, etc.

What is the difference between EAN-14 and ITF-14?

EAN-14 and ITF-14 are both barcodes used to identify and track packaging units, but they have some differences:
EAN-14 is based on the encoding rules of EAN-128. The application identifier is 01, followed by 14-bit data. EAN-14 can use a variety of barcode symbologies, such as Code 128, EAN-13, GS1 DataBar, etc.

ITF-14 is a specific barcode symbology, also known as Interleaved 2 of 5, that can only represent numbers. ITF-14 is typically used for printing on cardboard or plastic packaging.

EAN-14 can be used to identify different packaging levels (large boxes within small boxes), different packaging types (cartons, plastic boxes) and different packaging quantities. EAN-14 can be converted to other barcode symbols, such as EAN-13, GS1 DataBar, etc.

ITF-14 is usually used to mark storage and transportation packaged goods, such as cardboard boxes or plastic bags. ITF-14 can only represent numbers and cannot be converted to other barcode symbols.

What is DUN-14 barcode?

DUN-14 is not a true barcode type, it is a container numbering system.

DUN-14 uses ITF-14 or EAN-14 barcode types. Facilities now often use EAN-14 (EAN-128) to encode DUN-14, so when using a barcode generator to make DUN-14 barcodes, select EAN-14 as the barcode type. Or ITF-14, the barcode produced is the DUN-14 barcode.

In which industries are EAN-14 barcodes most used?

The EAN-14 barcode is a globally accepted barcode standard that is widely used in various industries and countries. It is mainly used to mark packaging units, such as boxes, pallets, containers, etc. It is compatible with the EAN/UPC barcode system and facilitates scanning and settlement in the retail process.

The application of EAN-14 barcodes on containers is to uniquely identify and track the containers and facilitate logistics and inventory control in supply chain management. The EAN-14 barcode has two forms of expression on the container, one is a 14-bit code with an application identifier (01), and the other is a 14-bit code without an application identifier. The EAN-14 barcode can also be called SCC-14 (Shipping Container Code) or DUN-14 (Distribution Unit Number).

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