EAN-13

EAN-13 (European Article Number) is a 13-digit barcode standard based on the UPC-A specification, standardized globally under ISO/IEC 15420. It consists of a 3-digit country code, 4-digit manufacturer code, 5-digit product code, and 1 check digit. The system is administered by GS1 and used worldwide for retail product identification.

Technical Specifications: EAN-13 uses a sophisticated encoding system with left-hand odd/even parity patterns that encode both the digit value and provide country code information. The right-hand digits use even parity only. This dual encoding enables omnidirectional scanning and built-in data verification.

Global Standard: As part of the GS1 system, EAN-13 enables global trade and supply chain efficiency. The barcode is readable by virtually all retail scanners worldwide and integrates seamlessly with inventory management, point-of-sale, and e-commerce systems. Essential for international product distribution and retail operations.