Databar EAN 13

Databar EAN-13 barcode (originally European Article Number, but now renamed International Article Number even though the abbreviation EAN has been retained) is 13 digit (12 data and 1 check) bar coding standard which is superset of original 12-digit Universal Product Code (UPC) system.

EAN-13 barcodes are widely used in worldwide for marking products often sold at retail point of sale. The numbers encoded in EAN-13 bar codes are product identification numbers, which are also called Japanese Article Number (JAN) in Japan. All the numbers encoded in EAN barcodes are known as Global Trade Item Numbers (GTIN).

Since EAN-13 is superset of UPC-A, this means that any software or hardware that is capable to read an EAN-13 symbol will automatically able to read an UPC-A symbol. The only difference between EAN-13 and UPC-A is that the number system code in UPC-A is single digit from 0 through 9 whereas an EAN-13 number system code consists of two digits ranging from 00 through 99, which is essentially a country code. Each country has number authority which assigns manufacturer codes to companies within its jurisdiction.

EAN-13 number consists of four areas including:

• Number System
• Manufacturer code
• Product code
• Check digit

Normally the number system digit is printed to the left of the barcode and the check digit to the right. The manufacturer and product codes are printed just below the barcode and separated by the guard bar.

Number system is first two digits in the EAN number to identify the country/region numbering authority. Manufacturer code is unique code assigned to each manufacturer by the numbering authority indicated by the number system code. All products that are produces by given company will use the same manufacturer code. Product code is assigned by the manufacturer code. The product code immediately follows manufacturer code. The length of manufacturer code and product code must be exact 10 digits. Check digit is used to verify the generated barcode is scanned correctly or not. The check digit is calculated on the basis of rest of the barcode digits.