1D Barcodes

One dimensional barcodes are also called linear barcodes. They are commonly found on consumer goods and use a series of variable-width lines and spaces to encode data, including the GTIN for product identification.

EAN-8

This encodes a GTIN-8, which is allocated directly by GS1 Australia or any other GS1 organisation. EAN-8 barcodes are used on small packages where the EAN-13 barcode would be too large.

Examples of use: small retail items like cosmetics

EAN-8 factsheet
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EAN-13

This encodes a GTIN-13, and is used to identify the vast majority of trade items in the retail supply chain.

Examples of use: retail items that cross Point-of-Sale applications, like cans of soup, clothes, magazines, books.

                                               

EAN-13 factsheet
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UPC-A

This encodes a GTIN-12, and is used to identify some products being exported to North America.

Examples of use: retail items that cross Point-of-Sale applications

UPC-A factsheet
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UPC-E

This encodes a GTIN-12, but uses a zero-suppression method to compress into an 8-digit format for use on smaller packages. These are also used to identify some products being exported to North America.

Examples of use: small retail items like cosmetics, chewing gum packets

UPC-E factsheet
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ITF-14 Barcodes

This encodes a GTIN-12, GTIN-13 or GTIN-14. Use this to identify items not intended for Point-of-Sale scanning such as cases and cartons.

Examples of use: product groupings such as a case of washing detergent or a carton of tissue boxes. Its simple design makes it easy to print on the type of packaging used for cartons.

ITF-14 factsheet
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GS1-128 Barcodes

Use GS1-128 barcodes on cases and cartons, pallets and other logistics units in the supply chain; and capture additional information about your trade items. This barcode is not scannable at Point-of-Sale.
 

The GS1-128 barcode enables companies to capture more information in a single barcode. Initially used in the food and grocery industries, it is now widely used in logistics and other application such as the identification of assets. 

The barcode uses a series of GS1 Application Identifiers to include a range of additional data such as:

  • Best Before Date
  • Batch Number
  • Quantity
  • Weight

The GS1-128 also encodes the SSCC, used for the identification of logistics units.

GS1-128 factsheet
Learn more about creating and using SSCCs