This document describes the history and usability of GTINs & EANs and how they are related to GS1 standards.
EAN & UPC
- EAN is an abbreviation for European Article Numbering and an EAN code is a unique combination of digits which identifies articles based on the GS1 Standard. After you’ve registered with GS1 as a brand owner you can purchase your first EAN codes. Using this GS1 (EAN) code you can uniquely identify your products, locations, shipping units and people globally.
- They are also called International Article Number (IAN).
- The first three numbers of the code identify the country; in this case 871 falls in the range of 870 to 879 which indicates the Netherlands.
- The 7 subsequent digits are given to the company by GS1.
- Combined with 871, this is the so-called GS1 company number, also referred to as the Company Prefix.
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ℹ️ Country code can be update three digits
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The table below further illustrates the relationship between GTIN, legacy terminology, symbologies and use at point of sale. In most cases, the legacy terminology and the symbology are called by the same name. GTIN changes this by separating the name of the data structure from the data carrier or, in this case, the symbology.
| GTIN Data Structure |
Legacy Terminology |
Symbology |
Use at POS |
| GTIN-12 |
UPC, UCC-12 |
UPC-A, UPC-E |
Yes |
| GTIN-13 |
EAN, JAN, EAN-13 |
EAN-13 |
Yes |
| GTIN-8 |
EAN-8 |
EAN-8 |
Yes |
| GTIN-14 |
EAN / UCC-14 |
GS1 Databar Family |
Not Yet |
| GTIN-14 |
ITF-14, SCC-14, UPC Case Code |
GS1 Databar Family |
Not Yet |
GS1
History
- In 1969, the retail industry in the US was searching for a way to speed up the check-out process in shops. The Ad Hoc Committee for a Uniform Grocery Product Identification Code was established to find a solution.
- In 1973, the [Universal Product Code] (UPC) was selected by this group as the first single standard for unique product identification. In 1974, the [Uniform Code Council (UCC)] was founded to administer the standard. On 26 June 1974, a pack of [Wrigley] chewing gum became the first ever product with a barcode to be scanned in a shop.
- In 1976, the original 12-digit code was expanded to 13 digits, which allowed the identification system to be used outside the U.S. In 1977, the European Article Numbering Association (EAN) was established in Brussels, with founding members from 12 countries.
- In 1990, EAN and UCC signed a global cooperation agreement and expanded their overall presence to 45 countries. In 1999, EAN and UCC launched the Auto-ID Centre to develop Electronic Product Code (EPC), enabling GS1 standards to be used for RFID.
- In 2004, EAN and UCC launched the Global Data Synchronization Network (GDSN), a global, internet-based initiative that enables trading partners to efficiently exchange product master data.
- By 2005, the organisation was present in over 90 countries, and it started to use the name GS1 on a worldwide basis. Whilst "GS1" is not an acronym, it refers to the organisation offering one global system of standards.