FAQs - GS1 Barcode Standard
1. Can UPC-A and UPC-E bar codes be scanned outside USA/Canada?
Yes. The GS1 System was designed based on the UPC system, so the UPC-A & UPC-E symbols are 100 percent compatible with all GS1 Systems. Companies using UPC-A & UPC-E bar codes can have their products identified across the globe without any difficulty.
2. Can EAN-13 Symbols be scanned in USA/Canada?
A sunrise date on January 1, 2005 has been set for the global acceptance of GTIN-13. However, a few retailers in the US and Canada may experience a problem in that their systems not able to accommodate GTIN-13. In such case, the GTIN-12 represented in a UPC-A or UPC-E Symbol is required.
3. Do the first three digits of a barcode indicate a product’s country of origin?
No. The first three digits refer to the country of membership of the company assigning the number. The products themselves may be produced anywhere in the world. For example, numbers beginning with 489 have been allocated by GS1 Hong Kong, but the products may not be manufactured in Hong Kong. The same applies for all other GS1 Member Organizations.
4. Are the item description and price also included within a barcode on a product?
In general, it is not the case. The barcode represents the number on the label, it allows the unique number to be scanned. All information about a product is stored in a computer database. The only exceptions are the GTIN-13 and GTIN-12 for retail Variable Measure Trade Items and Coupon, which include the price or the measurement of the item or the value.
5. Are the first seven digits of a GTIN the manufacturer’s identity number?
No. GS1 Member Organizations allocate GS1 Company Prefixes that may vary between six and eleven digits, depending on the company’s needs. The first two or three digits indicate the GS1 Member Organization allocating the company number that follows.
6. Do barcodes have to be printed as close as possible to the 100 percent on target size?
No. The printing process and the materials used will determine the size of a barcode. The bars and spaces must be clearly recognized by the scanner as part of an accurate symbol. Members are advised to submit the finished barcode image to GS1 Hong Kong for quality testing.
7. Are the barcodes used on outer cases part of a different system?
No. The GS1 System allows for three different barcode symbologies - EAN/UPC, ITF-14 and GS1-12 8 to be used on outer cases, which do not cross a retail point-of-sale. The numbering system is designed to be used for all packaging configurations, and the different symbols are used according to information requirements, scanning environment and the printing materials being used.
8. Will my in-house coding system fit into the Item Reference part of the article number?
No, it will not. The GS1 System is especially designed for open trade and will often be used alongside an internal system. Some companies will replace their internal system, but using the GS1 System (which is designed for different computers to use easily) does not mean necessarily abandoning an internal system that is purely for internal use.
9. Do bar codes have to be printed in black on a white background?
No. It is important that the bars appear dark against a light background that will reflect the infrared light when scanning. As for cold colors such as blue, green or black can be used against backgrounds in warm colors like red, orange and yellow, as well as white. It is important to have sufficient contrast between the bars and spaces, so it is vital to check color combinations with your printer.
10. Are GS1 BarCodes the only application suitable for the retail point-of-sale?
No. The GS1 System is a totally neutral system that can be used to identify anything that is traded among companies, as well as individual retail items at the point-of-sale. Goods are scanned as they leave manufacturers, as they are handled by distributors, scanned again at goods inwards at warehouses and depots, again for stock counts, as orders are picked and so on. The system is used by companies operating in all trade and industry sectors.
11. Are all barcodes the same?
No. EAN/UPC, ITF-14 and GS1-12 8 Bar Codes have a standardized data content, which means they can be used by any company with GS1 System, and not be confused with any other symbology. Other bar codes, for example code 39 do not have a multi-industry standardized approach to the data they contain, and so are only really usable in controlled systems where they will not be confusing to interpret.
12. I Have More Questions. How Do I Contact GS1 HK?
If you have more questions about your company’s eligibility, want to know your application status, or need assistance navigating please fill out our barcode enquiry form, call us at 2863 9701, or WhatsApp us at 5122 7144. Our customer service team is available to address your inquiries and provide the necessary support regarding barcodes and membership. You can also check our FAQ section for more information on common queries.