Types of barcodes with examples. How to check the barcode

The bar code is the product information in graphical form. Product information is encrypted in vertical lines and spaces of different widths, arranged in a certain sequence, as well as in several numbers below. The barcode is applied directly to the product, on the secondary packaging or label. Currently, almost every store has readers of graphic information. This allows you to optimize the process of selling goods. In addition, each person can recognize the manufacturer by barcode. Also, using graphic information, it is easy to identify fake goods.

Barcode Concept

This term means a combination of vertical lines and spaces of different widths, as well as numbers. Currently, each item must be marked with a barcode. The graphic image contains complete product information. Thanks to this, manufacturers, intermediaries, and sellers got the opportunity to facilitate their work and keep an automated record of products.

The barcode necessarily consists of vertical lines and spaces of different widths. The numbers are applied to most of the goods. In some cases, they may be absent. This is not an example of a non-genuine barcode. Such graphic information also contains all the necessary information. However, a person without special equipment in this case cannot verify the authenticity of the goods.

Barcode Functions

This information sign performs not only general, but also additional tasks. Barcode Functions:

• Automatic identification of goods using a reader.
• Continuous monitoring and inventory of products.
• Operational management of processes related to shipment, transportation and storage.
• Improving not only the speed of customer service, but also its culture.
• Rapid provision of data needed for market research.

Thus, the use of a barcode not only simplifies many processes, but also significantly reduces the risk of acquiring fake products.

Types of Information Marks

Currently, there are more than three hundred bar coding standards. However, most of them are designed to perform specific tasks. In everyday life, as a rule, there are two types of barcodes:

• EAN-13. Used in retail all over the world. The only exceptions are the United States. A 13-digit barcode allows you to fully identify the product. It is represented by lines of various widths and fixed lengths. An example of an EAN-13 barcode is 5012345678900.
• EAN-8. This is a shortened version of the 13-digit barcode. In practice, less commonly used than EAN-13. It is used for marking small goods, the size of which does not allow placing a large number of symbols on them or on the secondary packaging. An example of an EAN-8 barcode is 12345670.

In the USA, the standard is UPC-A type. In Japan - JAN-13, but in fact it is a full-fledged analogue of EAN-13.

Bar coding principle

In the alternation of vertical stripes and spaces of different widths, alphanumeric characters are enclosed. The unit of measurement for the stroke is the module. It is 0.33 mm. Each digit is encoded by 7 modules. At the same time, they are grouped in 2 lines and 2 spaces. Bandwidth can vary from 1 to 3 modules. For example, a barcode of type EAN-13 has a nominal size of 31.35 mm (the distance from the first to the last stroke). But there must be free space around the image. In this regard, the nominal width of the code is 37.29 mm. Edge strokes, the length of which is slightly longer than others, indicate the zones of the beginning and end of scanning.

Digit Values

At the bottom of the graphic image are Arabic characters. Their meanings:

• The first 2 or 3 digits are the country code. Thus, it is very easy to find out by the barcode of the manufacturer of the goods.
• The following 3-5 / 3-7 digits are assigned to the manufacturer by the national authority of the country. In other words, this is the code for a specific organization.
• The following 6-7 / 8-12 digits are assigned to the product directly by the manufacturer. In other words, this is a registration number within a specific organization. The following data can be encrypted in it: name, weight, color, size, etc.
• The last digit is the control. It is it designed to read information by a special device. Those interested in how to check the barcode need to remember how the check digit is calculated. By performing sequential arithmetic, you can identify a fake product or make sure its originality.

An example of an EAN-13 barcode is 4841234567893. The first 3 digits are the country code. The value 484 is indicated on goods manufactured in Moldova. The last number 3 is the control. It is from it that you can determine the authenticity of the barcode and, accordingly, the product. Information on how to do this is provided below.

Barcode table

Each country is assigned a specific sequence of numbers. It is important to know that the characters do not change. It is from the first 2-3 signs that you can find out the country of origin of a particular product. Information about the codes is presented in the table below.

The barcode as an example is 4810153010490. The first 3 digits are 481. Therefore, this is a barcode of Belarus, that is, the product was produced there. Another example is 4607086410639. The first 3 digits are 460. They say that this is a barcode of Russia. After that, it is enough to compare this information with that indicated on the product or secondary packaging.

Barcode check

As mentioned above, using consistent arithmetic, you can identify a fake product or make sure its originality.

The barcode as an example is 3049197210196. It belongs to the Courvoisier brandy. As is clear from the first figures, an alcoholic beverage is produced in France.

Regarding how to check the barcode. Initially, all characters must be assigned places, while excluding the check digit:

• 3 - 1.
• 0 - 2.
• 4 - 3.
• 9 - 4.
• fifteen.
• 9 - 6.
• 7 - 7.
• 2 - 8.
• 19.
• 0-10.
• 1 - 11.
• 9-12.

Then you need to add the numbers that are on even places:

0 + 9 + 9 + 2 + 0 + 9 = 29.

The resulting value must be multiplied by 3:

29 x 3 = 87.

At the next stage, you need to add the numbers that are in odd places:

3 + 4 + 1 + 7 + 1 + 1 = 17.

Then you need to summarize both of the obtained values:

87 + 17 = 104.

At this stage, only the last digit is important - 4. It must be subtracted from 10:

10 - 4 = 6.

The resulting figure is equal to the control. It follows that the barcode is genuine.

An important nuance is that non-original goods can be placed in packaging. For example, in a bottle of French cognac you can pour a cheap alcohol-containing drink and pass it off as a quality one. This must be taken into account. In this case, merchandising expertise is required to confirm authenticity.

Barcode label mismatch

This situation is not uncommon. For example, the package says "Made in Russia." If you think logically, then the first characters should correspond to this country. In practice, one often sees not a Russian barcode, but a Chinese one.

This discrepancy may have several reasons:

• The manufacturing organization was not registered in its own country. That is why the barcode was received in another, in the one for which the main export is oriented.
• The goods were produced at a subsidiary. Similar organizations can be found all over the planet.
• The product was manufactured in the country indicated on the marking, but under a license from an organization from a completely different state.
• The company has several founders. They can be located on any corner of the planet.

The most obvious reason is the lie of the manufacturer. The organization is trying to give the goods for better quality, indicating another country on the package.

Barcode reading process

In order to decrypt information, the following equipment is used:

• Laser scanners. They can be both stationary and portable. They read bar codes easily up to 6 meters away.
• Cash scanners. They can be in the form of reading pencils, pens, pistols, etc.

As an example, consider the work of a standard supermarket. A worker points a beam of a reader onto a barcode. The latter transfers information to a computer, where data on stocks of a particular product are stored both on the trading floor and in the warehouse. If the products in the shop windows are insufficient (in other words, they are less than the established standard), a signal is sent to the warehouse by electronic means. At this time, storekeepers are given the task of transporting the missing amount of goods to the trading floor. The movement of products can occur in an automated manner. However, in practice, most often the goods are transported using a forklift.

Obtaining a barcode and rules for applying it

Assignment of registration numbers in Russia is carried out by EANCODE. To get a barcode on products, you must fill out a form and a special form with a list of goods. These documents can be sent by e-mail. The next step is to pay. After the funds are credited to the account, the organization will assign barcodes to the goods within one day.

The registration number is printed on the consumer or shipping packaging. Stickers are also allowed. The barcode is applied exclusively to the back of the package in the lower right corner. Moreover, it should be located at a distance of at least two centimeters from the edges.

It is allowed to apply a barcode on the side of the secondary packaging. If the goods are placed in soft material, the registration number must be placed so that the vertical lines are parallel to the bottom.

The barcode must not be applied to other marking elements.

Finally

Each product has a specific registration number. It is called a barcode. It is represented by successively arranged vertical lines and spaces, as well as Arabic numbers. It contains complete information about the product: mass, color, size, name of the manufacturer, etc.

There are more than three hundred types of barcodes (types with examples are described above). Currently, in practice, the most common are EAN-13 and EAN-8. The rest are designed to perform more specific tasks.

Everyone can independently verify the authenticity of the barcode. To do this, you must first add the numbers that are on even places and multiply them by 3. It is important to remember that the control number is not involved in the calculations. Then you need to add the numbers in odd places. Both values ​​must then be added up. The last digit of the result must be subtracted from 10. The resulting number should correspond to the control.