Section 2: Bar Code Structure

Bar codes are to be concatenated to reduce the space required for printing the bar codes.
All bar codes shall start with a start code followed by the Function Code 1 character. For concatenated bar codes, if the data field proceeding the next data field is variable in length, the application identifier must be proceeded by the Function Code 1 character to act as a field seperator.
The order of bar coded data is not important and is not specified because of the use of data identifiers and the Function Code 1 seperator characters.

Human Readable Under Bar Codes:

The English description of the bar coded information must be a minimum of 1/8"(3 mm) in height. The placement of the human readable portion is directly below the bar code. Human readable characters shall not infringe on the bar codes.
Application identifiers should be placed in ( ) to make them easily identifiable. Note: the ( ) are not bar coded.
Start characters, stop characters, change mode characters and function code 1 characters are not printed in human readable format.

UCC/EAN-128 Bar Code - SSCC (Bottom Section)

This bar code will allow the plant to track every unit or pallet load received via a unique identification affixed to each load. The bar code serves as a license plate. The specifications for this bar code are written in accordance with the EAN.UCC 128 label standard established by the Uniform Code Council and EAN Organizations.

Each supplier must have a unique COMPANY PREFIX issued by the Uniform Code Council or EAN International. It is the responsibility of the supplier to obtain this number.

Uniform Code Council
ADD: 8163 Old Yankee Road
Suite J
Dayton, Ohio 45458
PHONE: 937-435-3870

In Europe please refer to:

EAN International
ADD: 145 Rue Royale
B-1000
Brussels, Belgium
PHONE: +3222271020

In other countries, contact your local EAN office.

Each bar code Shipping Unit Serial Number (SSCC) must be unique for a one year period. Each label will have a 20 character identification printed on it. Below is a sample. The data in the bar code printed in human readable form should be grouped or spaced to enhance readability. The grouping done by the data elements is the best way to prevent confusion.

Click on the image to enlarge:

The following is a description of the data in the bar code. The data in positions 3-22 will be printed in human readable form below the printed bar code.

Position:

1-2	Start Code/FNC1 (Not shown, not in human readable form)
3-4	EAN.UCC 128 Application Identifier - "00" for this application. Note: the human readable must have "( )" around the "00"
5	Effective January of 2001, this will be called the "extension digit". The Extension digit has no defined logic and is available to the member company to increase the capacity of the serial number. As an extension digit, this number can be anything from 0-9 depending on the preference of the supplier.
6-12	EAN.UCC Company Prefix - "0037000" for this example. Note: The Company Prefix assigned by the UCC or EAN can be from 5 to 10 digits in length. At least 7 digit places should be used for the Company Prefix. If the Company Prefix is less than 7 digits in length, the leading digit places should be filled "0"s.
13-21	Shipping Unit Serial Number - Starts with "000000001", "000000002", etc. Note: Longer Company Prefixes (those which are 8-10 digits long) may require the number of digits used for the shipping unit serial number to be less.
22	Modulo 10 Check Character - Data in positions 3-21 are used for this calculation. The algorithm for the Modulo 10 Check Character is included in Attachment A.
23	Modulo 103 Check Character (Not shown, not in human readable form). Data in positions 1-22 are used for this calculation. The algorithm for the modulo 103 Check Character is in Section 7 Attachment A. Note: the Modulo 10 Check Character must be calculated before the Modulo 103 Check Character.
24	Stop Code (Not shown, not in human readable form).

The data in the bar code printed in human readable form should be grouped or spaced to enhance readability. The grouping done by the data elements is the best way to prevent confusion.

Human Readable Under UCC/EAN-128 Bar Code:

The English description of the bar coded information must be a minimum of 3/8"(10mm) in height. The placement of the human readable portion is directly below the bar code. Human readable characters shall not infringe on the bar codes.
The application identifier should be placed in ( ) to make them easily identifiable. Note: the ( ) are not bar coded.
Start characters, stop characters, change mode characters and function code 1 characters are not printed in human readable format.

Ink or Print Color:

Black printing on a white background.
Should not smear or be defaced during the normal shipping and handling process to the extent it is no longer readable. If there are any concerns, the Sutherland rub test (10 strokes dry) will be used to determine if the label is acceptable.

Print Quality:

Thermal transfer, laser, or equivalent quality. Use of dot matrix printers is discouraged due to their ability to maintain a consistent long term print darkness.
Must be read within a 6 foot(1.8 meters) range with Symbol or other equivalent technology's hand held scanner at a 98% first read rate. First read rate is defined for a laser scanner as "during the period of the first trigger pull".
Bar codes must achieve a grade of A or B according to ANSI specifications (X3.182-1990) (American National Standards Institute, 11 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036) or ISO/ IEC 15426-1 standards.

Operating Temperatures and Shelf Life:

Labels must be placed on a flat surface. Wrinkled pallet labels are not readable, and therefore not acceptable.
Label must maintain adherence to surface and print quality at temperatures of -40 degrees F (-40 degrees C) to 140 degrees F (60 degrees C). Note: A full adhesive label is not required. Labels can be securely taped on the unit load provided the tape does not interfere with the scannability.
Label must withstand humidity, water, and age (no yellowing).

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