Introduction: Barcode for Your Business

Through the use of the barcode, communication of the information with the customers, partners, and suppliers of the products in the business becomes easier. The bar code, which is electronically scan able symbols using laser-based technology, is a product identification standard known as the GS1 barcode that is used for identifying the product as genuine in the market and a means of international standard for electronic data interchange, to cover a wide area of the network and reduce the impact on the supply chain.  Through this mechanism, the direct sharing of information has been sorted out, and now the sharing of information has been made less time-consuming and error-free with the introduction of barcode-based sharing of the information. 

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We will discuss how the barcode has changed the process and procedure for obtaining a barcode for your business. 

Read Our Blog: Uses and Meaning of Barcodes for Your Business

The GS1 Digital Linking 

The GS1 digital linking is the process of making the GS1 identifier a part of the web, enhancing the power and flexibility of the barcode, and it is a gateway for consumer information. It helps increase the quality and credibility of the product with the improved supply chain and information traceability of the business. The quality of the product can be measured through this; this is the basis for business-to-business and business-to-consumer information. With the increase in the value of the product with the addition of the QR code and the NFC tag, the important thing that must be considered is that the product information is open-ended and is publicly available information, which cannot be locked to a specific entity. The thing that must be kept in mind is that the sharing of personal information about the consumer must be restricted. And there could not be any availability of private details against the consumer's or individual's will in the medical sector; it is solely under the control of the brand owner, who can link any number of information at the linking part of the barcode with the power of efficiency improvement. 

In the healthcare sector, the barcode is making hospitals' and patients' lives easier by reducing paperwork and increasing the availability of patient data for the betterment of the sector.

Read Our Blog: Procedure for Getting Barcode Registration

Steps That Needs To Be Followed For Barcode Registration 

Applying a barcode to an item can be done in a number of ways, with the help of software that turns the barcode number into a barcode image. With the specification, the package's integration with the barcode, and the barcode's layout. The barcode update resulted in an immediate update to the package.  

With the implementation of resources for barcode identification in more than 100 GS1 member organizations or countries worldwide, barcode registration is now accepted on a global scale. Let's consider the fundamental actions needed to start using barcodes, such as:

• Obtain the Company's Registration

The business utilizes the barcode, also known as the GS1 identification key that has the assigned number. Registration of the business is necessary in order to obtain the product identification key; this registration is completed using the business name, and the business subsequently joins the GS1 member organization.

The identification keys are the way for the companies to provide a way for identification of the trade items, logistic units, locations, parties, assets, coupons, etc. The mentioned details remain unique throughout the world. 

• Issuing GS1 Identification Numbers

The companies' method of providing a method for identifying trade items, logistical units, locations, events, parties, assets, coupons, etc. is through the use of identification keys. The previously mentioned specifics of the business and its products and services continue to be unique worldwide. 

The GS1 identification number is composed of the extra digits and the GS1 prefix, which are both assigned by GS1 member organizations. The GS1 global office provides the GS1 prefix. For the company's products, the prefix stays the same, but to make the process easier, different locations, logistics, companies, returnable assets like pallets, kegs, tubs, etc., or service relations are taken into account when assigning identification numbers for trade items, including the company's products and services. 

• The Barcode Printing

The static information condition of the product can also be printed directly on the package using the barcoding process, which carries the static and dynamic information of the product.  

The product's dynamic information, however, necessitates digital printing or digital printing on regular paper for the product's paper labeling. The barcode provides dynamic information that is printed during the product's production and packaging. The multicolored graphics are printed on a printing press, replacing barcode digital printing. It could be printed on the page of the product; the product requires the text along with the barcode and dynamic data to be directly applied to the package. 

• Selection of the Primary Scanning Background

The barcode that is scanned determines the barcode's specifications, including its type, size, location, and quality. You can specify a product depending on where the barcode scanning will take place. Using a barcode, the primary scanning technique is employed to assess the caliber and standard of a product. Every time a product is sold or distributed, the location of the barcode where it will be scanned must be made clear. The scanning point must be added with the specifics of the location where the barcode is to be scanned, whether it is at a retail location, warehouse, sales office, or somewhere else. The point of sale, general distribution and logistics, healthcare, or direct marketing could all serve as the scanning point. 

• Selection of the Barcode

For the barcode to be used in an intended manner, it is crucial to make the appropriate choice. The necessary understandings include things like barcodes; the EAN/UPC symbol is the barcode at the point of sale (POS), which is scanned by the POS system and is applicable for the point of sale everywhere in the world. 

The GS1 data bar or the GS1 standardized 2D symbols may occasionally be used for the POS system. 

The installation of information such as the serial number, expiration date, quantity or measure of the product, etc. can be done using a bar code such as the GS1-128, GS1 Data bar, or GS1 standardized 2D symbols.

The URL is encoded with the barcode so that the consumer can access the extended packaging's information directly. 

The manufacturer's specifications dictate whether the bar code scanning must be done at the outer case or whether it must be sent to the logistics environment via a directly shipped corrugated carton, GS1-128, or ITF-14.

• The Barcode Size Selection

The encoded barcode information, on the basis of which the design is created, specifies the barcode symbol as well as the proper size of the barcode.  The manufacturer must learn the symbol's location and method of application. The vertical dimension is Y, and the size of the horizontal direction is X, both of which must be specified. 

• By Altering One Dimension

A proportional amount of the other altered dimension is required. The design is taken up by the reduced space in the EAN/UPC symbol due to the specified product's reduced symbol height. To prevent a negative effect on the retail scanner's scan rate, the truncation of the fixed design must be avoided. 

• The Bar Code Texting Format

In the event of a broken barcode or poor code quality, the text below the barcode must have human-readable interpretation (HRI), and the code size must be in human-readable text that is legible and proportional.

The application identifier (AI) is encoded under the barcode symbol in the same manner as the barcode. It should be noted that parentheses should never be used with symbols. 

The application identifier (AI) is enclosed in parentheses with a human-readable interpretation.

The following guidelines must be followed when placing the digits below the code:

1. The 12-digit number can be found in the UPC-A symbol.
2. The 13-digit number must be present in the EAN-13 symbol.
3. The 8-digit number must appear in both the EAN-8 and UPC-E symbols.

• Choosing A Color For A Barcode

The most popular color symbol is black with a white background that contrasts sharply. However, there are a few other choices for the selection of the colors with the dark color of the GS1 barcode, including black, dark blue, dark brown, and dark green.

• The Required Placement For Bar Codes

The product's design determines the barcode's symbol, and for that specification, the manufacturing and packaging processes of the product must be taken into consideration. The packaging engineer confirms this, and after that, the printing company is informed of the information. 

When choosing where to place a barcode on a product, the following considerations must be made in accordance with GS1 standards:

1. The GS1 point-of-sale specification.
2. The placement guidelines for the details of the products and packaged types.
3. The location of the clothing and fashion product's symbol 
4. Designing the design with GS 1 logistical labels
5. The positioning of the distribution symbol
6. The location of the items for the regulated healthcare trade.

• Quality Plan for Barcode

The quality test specification for the 2D symbols is based on the ISO and IEC barcode quality tests (15415, 15416). The ISO specifies the quality of the product that is specified through the scanner by evaluating the quality barcode. The barcode is based on the user symbol and the quality requirements of the carried product identification number. Through the standardization of testing for determining the specific quality of the product, the test is made to be reliable.

Documents Necessary For Bar Code Registration And Verification

The following documentation is required of the business entity seeking the barcode:

• Product Description
• Declaration of the director at the Company Letterhead
• Company incorporation details 
• PAN and Business registration details 
• Bank details of the Company
• Financial statements of the company 
• GST registration 

Fee Required For Barcode Registration, Subscription, And Security

The barcode in India is determined by several factors, including the total number of barcodes registered, the company's yearly revenue, and the subscription terms accepted. The subscription and renewal fees must be paid by businesses before the term expires. Additionally, a security deposit is paid at registration time and is refunded after registration expiration or cancellation. 

Conclusion

The bar code has made information sharing easier and is an extremely clever way to accomplish tasks more quickly; as a result of this mechanism, the supply chain has become standardized, and information sharing has become seamless.  The GS1 standard ensures the smooth operation of the biggest industries in the world by making the sharing of information and processes a standard.