As someone who worked for a frozen food manufacturer and administered the UCC/EDI program, I can tell you that the code is simple. The first 5 digits are the manufacturer's code and the second 5 digits are the manufacturer's internal product number. The manufacturer's code is assigned by the UCC. I assume the EAN works similarly. The outside numbers on a bar code are checksum digits used to make sure the scanner read the barcode properly. The UCC also administers EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) which allows companies to exchange orders, shipping info and invoices through set formats. The data would then be exchanged electronically via special data providers. This system has become somewhat outdated with the advent of greater internet usage and the availability of XML. I believe that EDI uses XML documents now.
Phil > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf > Of Terry Simpson > Sent: Friday, December 02, 2005 3:56 PM > To: U.S. Metric Association > Subject: [USMA:35307] RE: Numerical codes for measuring units? > > Pat Naughtin > >Can you elaborate a little on the letters, EAN UCC? > > ******************************** > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Article_Numbering- > Uniform_Code_Council > > European Article Numbering-Uniform Code Council (EAN-UCC) is the > international organisation of product barcodes that are printed on almost > everything that is sold in stores worldwide. > > The Uniform Code Council (UCC) is the Numbering Organisation in the USA to > administer and manage the EAN.UCC system standards in the USA and Canada. > > In 2005 the organization changed its name to GS1. > ******************************** > > >In their area of operation, do you know if they are they well known > >and efficiently used? > > Note that the code does require weight or length to be encoded. It merely > standardises the mechanism around the world so that codes are universal. > > I don't know about efficiently, but they are well known and used. I see > them > on everything I buy. I often notice the leftmost digits are '50' on > British > products because they mean the code was issued in the UK. > > Google is your friend.
