GS1 BarCode implementation guideline using 8 digits ... - GS1 India

GS1 BarCode implementation guideline using 8 digit GS1 company prefix
(GCP)
Note: This guideline should be used in all instances except for pharmaceuticals for exports where barcoding requirements
are stipulated by DGFT (Director General of Foreign Trade, Government of India). In such cases, refer to implementation
guideline available at http://pharmexcil.org/uploadfile/ufiles/458333439_UserManual_DGFT_Barcode.pdf
Steps for implementation:
a) Generate 12-digit unique product code (GTIN - Global Trade Item Number) for each product code type/ variant/SKU
using the 8 digit GS1 company prefix allocated as per instructions below.
b) Upload product codes generated along with other product attribute details in GS1‟s GEPIR (Global Electronic Party
Information Registry) service. Details available at
http://gs1india.org.in/staticContaint/Guidelines%20for%20uploading%20product%20information%20in%20GEPIR.pdf
c) Design and print GS1 BarCode artwork sample for each product type/variant/SKU using the 12 digit product code
generated as above and using the GS1 BarCode implementation guideline available at
http://www.gs1india.org.in/gs1barcodes/number_development_guide.htm
d) Get GS1 BarCode artwork samples verified by GS1 India to ensure 100% scannability. Details available at
http://gs1india.org/upload/menuupload/VB.pdf
e) Modify artwork, if required, based on GS1 India‟s barcode verification report. If sample is OK, go ahead with bulk
printing of product packaging.
f) Join workshops and webinars arranged by GS1 India on a regular basis to facilitate implementation of GS1 BarCodes
etc. and understanding on various applications/benefits of the same. Schedule of these webinars and workshops are
available on our website (www.gs1india.org ) under „Quick Links’.
g) For FAQ‟s (Frequently Asked Questions), look up at http://www.gs1india.org/Support/faq. For any additional
assistance in implementation, please write to us at implementation@gs1india.org.
A. Generating 12-digit unique product codes (GTIN -12) for various product variants/types/
SKUs
List all your existing product variants (SKUs) in a column. Against each variant, write down the common GS1
company prefix number allocated as illustrated below:
Example: For a manufacturer of snack items, which has been allocated a GS1 company prefix number “81234567”, a
table could be created as below:
Sr. No. Product name GS1 company prefix
1. Chatpata Bhujiya (100 gms) 81234567
2. Chatpata Bhujiya (250 gms) 81234567
3. Chatpata Bhujiya (500 gms) 81234567
4. Potato Chips (100 gms) 81234567
To develop 12 digit product code for each product variant as above, assign an item reference number of 3 digits
following the 8 digit GS1 company prefix number allocated, with sequential serial number for uniquely identifying each
different product variant.
A schematic representation of the same shall be as below:
8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 X X X CD
GS1 company prefix (8 digits) allocated (000 to 999) Item reference no. (3 digit) Check digit (1digit)

The table would be as below:
Sr. No. Product name GS1 company prefix Item reference no.
1. Chatpata Bhujiya (100 gms) 81234567 000
2. Chatpata Bhujiya (250 gms) 81234567 001
3. Chatpata Bhujiya (500 gms) 81234567 002
4. Potato Chips (100 gms) 81234567 003
The 12 th (last digit) which is the check digit meant for data integrity, which can be calculated using the check digit
calculator available at http://www.gs1india.org.in/calculator.aspx
The completed table would be as below:
Sr. No. Product name GS1 company
prefix
Item
ref. no.
Check
digit
12 digit product
(GTIN)
1. Chatpata Bhujiya (100 gms) 81234567 000 4 812345670004
2. Chatpata Bhujiya (250 gms) 81234567 001 1 812345670011
3. Chatpata Bhujiya (500 gms) 81234567 002 8 812345670028
4. Potato Chips (100 gms) 81234567 003 5 812345670035
In event of introduction of a new product variant, assign the next available sequential item reference number, recalculate
the check digit based on the check digit calculator provided and generate a new 12 digit product code for the new product
variant.
Example:
Sr. No. Product name GS1 company
prefix
Item
ref. no.
Check
digit
12 digit product
(GTIN)
5. Chatpata Bhujiya (900 gms) 81234567 004 2 812345670042
Note: For guidance on when to generate a new GTIN-12 for a product variant, dependent on any changes in its product
attributes like dimension, weight ,ingredients etc, look up GTIN allocation rules at http://www.gs1.org/1/gtinrules.
B. Uploading product codes generated as above in GEPIR
GEPIR is an internet-based GS1 service that facilitates upload of company and product information of its subscribers and
access to the same by prospective buyers, retailers etc worldwide. Currently it hosts company information on over 1.5
million GS1 subscribers globally across over 100 countries.
By uploading your product and company information into it, you will become visible to global buyers, suppliers etc. For
details on how to upload into GEPIR, using the user id and password provided to you in the company prefix allocation
letter sent to you on registration, log onto the GEPIR website at www.gs1india.org.in and follow the instructions.
Upload of data into GEPIR site also enables you to cross-check whether the 12-digit product codes have been correctly
generated. It is recommended that product and company information uploaded in GEPIR is kept updated at all times.
C. Generating GS1 BarCode sample product packaging artworks
Each GTIN-12 generated as above, requires to be encoded in a GS1 BarCode symbology ( EAN-12) for each product
variant for printing bar codes either as part of product packaging artwork or as a label/sticker to be affixed to the product.
A schematic representation of a 12 digit GS1 BarCode using a 8 digit GS1 company prefix number is illustrated as below:
2.31mm
3.63mm
Left quiet zone
Right quiet zone

Broadly, the following guidelines are required to be used in generation of 12 digit GS1 BarCodes:
UPC-12 dimensions (mm)
Quite zones-light margins (mm)
Barcode
size*
Magnification
factor
Width (incl. quite zone) Height Left Right
Minimum 0.8.0 29.83 20.73 2.90 1.85
Ideal 1.00 37.29 25.91 3.63 2.31
Maximum 2.00 74.58 51.82 7.26 4.62
The size of the thinnest bar or x-dimension is required to be kept between 10.4 mils to 26 mils.
Barcode size for each product variant may be selected based on space available on its product packaging. It
should be within the minimum and maximum limits specified above.
For other guidelines on size, colour, placement, printing parameters, format etc, look GS1 General Specifications available
at http://www.gs1india.org/upload/menu/GS1_General_Specifications_v12.pdf and provide the same to the artwork
printer/barcode label provider.
D. Get GS1 BarCodes verified for ensuring scannability
GS1 India offers a barcode verification service to enable production of scannable barcodes under most scanning
environments.
It is recommended that prior to bulk printing of product packaging, sample artwork is sent to GS1 India for testing of the
barcode for scannability. This protects from avoidable losses which may be incurred on account of rejection of product
packaging by buyers/retailers due to non-scannability of barcodes at their end. Details on the service are available at
http://www.gs1india.org/service/barcodeverification.
E. Bulk printing of product packaging on approval of barcode artwork sample
In event of comments provided by GS1 India requiring modifications in the barcode artwork sample, the same should be
undertaken at your end and resubmitted for approval.
On final approval from GS1 India for scannability and compliance with GS1 specifications on other parameters like its
proper location, colour, size etc, bulk printing of product packaging may be undertaken.
F. Join GS1 India workshops and webinars on barcode implementations
Join workshops and webinars arranged by GS1 India on a regular basis to facilitate implementation of GS1 BarCodes etc.
and understanding on various applications/benefits of the same. Schedule of these webinars and workshops are available
on our website (www.gs1india.org ) under „Quick Links’.
G. Check FAQ section of GS1 India website
For FAQ‟s (Frequently Asked Questions), look up at http://www.gs1india.org/Support/faq . For any additional assistance in
implementation, please write to us at implementation@gs1india.org.
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