Allocating barcode numbers
Attribute Information
Attribute Information (AIs) is any variable information that must be added to a barcode over and above the product identification number.
This includes:
- use by dates
- batch numbers
- serial numbers, etc
and the information is shown using GS1 Application Identifiers
and represented in GS1-128
barcodes.
Application Identifiers convey a wide range of product, logistical and attribute information. An Application Identifier encodes many kinds of information about items and shipments into a standard format, which leads to more efficient processes for all parties participating in the transport and distribution chain. All parties handling those goods at any stage of the supply chain can access information about goods from the same barcode. When using Application Identifiers, the fourteen digit barcode (GTIN ) is preceded by (01). Other AIs commonly used include 17 to indicate a use by date and 10 to indicate batch number information. Each Application Identifier number indicates the meaning and format of the numbers/data following it.
