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Barcode Standards: Essential Guide for Industries

Barcode standards are a set of rules and specifications that define how barcodes are created, printed, and read. Much like the universal understanding of time and distance, these standards ensure that barcodes are consistent so data transfer is accurate and efficient. Thanks to barcode standards some of the world’s largest industries, like healthcare, labs and manufacturing are able to easily capture and share information.

An in-depth look at barcode standards

Barcode standards play a crucial role in ensuring accuracy, reliability, and efficiency in various industries. Among the prominent barcode standards are ISO and GS1. While both aim to facilitate seamless data capture and tracking, there are key differences between the two, each with its own set of rules and specifications:

A GS1 barcode layout highlighting key elements according to GS1 specifications

GS1 barcode standards

GS1 standards are a set of global barcode standards that have become a worldwide language for supply chain management and product identification. Used in over 150 countries, these standards are recognized by retailers, manufacturers, and logistics providers around the globe.

GS1 standards are based on open standards, which means they’re not proprietary to any one company or organization, but rather supported by a global network of member organizations, which ensures consistency.

To meet the changing needs of the global supply chain, GS1 standards are constantly being updated and improved. They’ve played a major role in the development of the modern supply chain, and continue to be essential for the efficient and accurate movement of goods around the world.

An employee scans Brady electrical barcode labels attached to networking cables, demonstrating the ISO barcode standard.

ISO barcode standards

ISO barcode standards are a set of international barcode standards that are developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). While GS1 standards focus on supply chain management, ISO standards focus on the technical specifications and quality requirements of barcodes. They’ve played a crucial role in shipping, receiving, inventory management and tracking of products across many industries.

Today, there are thousands of ISO standards, but when it comes to barcodes there are two prominent ones — ISO/IEC 15416 and ISO/IEC 15415. While they’re both essential for ensuring accuracy, they’re used to define different types of barcodes.

  • ISO/IEC 15416: These standards define the characteristics of linear barcodes — like dimensions, spacing and character set — and are widely used in retail, logistics, and manufacturing for product identification and tracking.
  • ISO/IEC 15415: These standards define the characteristics of two-dimensional barcodes — including their structure, data encoding, and error correction mechanisms — and are used in a variety of applications, such as product labeling, inventory management, and mobile payments

Barcode symbologies explained

Barcode standards lay down the rules while barcode symbologies define physical characteristics of barcodes such as spacing, height or specific character sets. For example, a barcode standard might specify which barcode symbology must be used for a particular type of product, or which data must be encoded in a barcode. So while there are only a few different barcode standards, there are dozens of different barcode symbologies, each with its own unique characteristics and uses.

Some of the most common barcode standard symbologies include:

  • EAN-13: A 13-digit barcode symbology that’s used to identify products in retail and logistics. It’s the most widely recognized and used barcode symbology in the world.
  • UPC-A: A 12-digit barcode symbology that’s used to identify products in North America. It’s similar to EAN-13, but it doesn’t include a country code.
  • DataBar: A 2D barcode symbology that’s used to identify smaller or hard-to-mark items like produce or pharmaceuticals. These barcodes can hold more information, like an item's batch number or expiry date, and are the most compact and efficient barcode symbology of the 3 listed here.

How standards define the technical elements of a barcode

Barcodes are composed of several technical elements, like symbologies, that are governed by standards to ensure accuracy. Here's a deep dive into these components:

  1. Barcode symbology:
    • Barcode symbologies define the structure, dimensions, and character set of a barcode
    • Standards such as ISO/IEC 15416 (linear barcodes) and ISO/IEC 15415 (2D barcodes) govern specific symbologies
  2. Barcode size and dimensions:
    • Standards define precise specifications for barcode height, width, and spacing to ensure readability when scanned by barcode scanners
  3. Quiet zone:
    • The quiet zone is the blank area surrounding the barcode
    • Standards specify the size and dimensions of the quiet zone to prevent interference during scanning
  4. Character encoding:
    • Standards define the character set used in barcodes, ensuring consistent encoding and decoding
    • Common encoding schemes include Code 128, Code 39, and GS1-128
  5. Error correction:
    • Error correction algorithms are employed in 2D barcodes to ensure data integrity
    • Standards specify the type and level of error correction used
  6. Print quality:
    • Print quality is crucial for successful barcode scanning
    • Standards define requirements for print resolution, contrast, and ink density
  7. Verification:
    • Standards provide guidelines for barcode verification to assess the quality and readability of barcodes
    • Verification processes ensure compliance with established standards

By adhering to barcode standards, businesses can print and use barcodes effectively, ensuring accurate data capture, efficient supply chain management, and improved product traceability.

Spotlight on Brady’s barcode scanning technologies

Brady has high-performance barcode scanners and labels that meet or exceed industry barcode standards.

An individual uses a CR2700 barcode scanner to read a Brady barcode label on a circuit board.

The CR2700 Handheld Barcode Scanner easily reads small barcodes and eliminates time-consuming rescans to keep the job moving. It has the ability to read a wide range of barcode types — like linear, 2D, ID cards and postal — and is designed for asset tracking and general ID in lab and healthcare settings.

An individual operates a V4500 scanner to read a Brady barcode label on a package.

The V4500 Programmable Barcode Scanner is designed to read tiny, shiny and curvy surfaces and features high-speed omnidirectional scanning. It can read a variety of 1D and 2D barcodes on hard-to-read surfaces and is purpose-built for the unique challenges of manufacturing and warehouse tasks.

Keeping up with evolving standards

Barcode standards are constantly evolving to meet the changing needs of businesses and consumers. Here are some of the latest developments and future trends in barcode standards:

  • Increased use of 2D barcodes: 2D barcodes are becoming increasingly popular in a variety of applications like product tracking, inventory management, and mobile payments.
  • The development of new barcode symbologies: New barcode symbologies are always being developed to meet the evolving needs of different industries and applications. A couple examples are the GS1 DataMatrix symbology designed for the healthcare industry and the QR Code symbology that’s widely used in mobile marketing and advertising.
  • The adoption of global barcode standards: The ISO is developing a new global barcode standard that will be based on the GS1 DataMatrix symbology and is expected to be adopted by a wide range of industries and countries.

Businesses can stay up to date on evolving barcode standards by working with a barcode expert or using verification software.

For many industries, a barcode scanner can serve as a universal solution for compliance and efficiency. With the right scanner, businesses can be confident that the data they collect is accurate, which is especially critical in industries like healthcare, manufacturing, and retail.

Learn more about how Brady's barcode scanners can digitize data capture and automate workflows in a variety of industries.

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Learn more about barcodes

A hand-held RFID reader being used to verify product locations within a warehouse.

Barcode Labeling

Barcodes streamline workflows, boost productivity, and gain real-time visibility into your operations. From labels and printers to scanners and software, this article gives you everything you need.

Implement a barcode solution today
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