EAN

European Article Number

A barcode standard that is a 12- or 13-digit product identification code. EAN barcodes are used worldwide for marking products often sold at retail point of sale. The numbers encoded in EAN barcodes are product identification numbers assigned to each product by the product manufacturer. GS1 manages the EAN system.

Key aspects of EAN include:

1. International Use: Although originally developed in Europe, EAN barcodes are now used globally.
2. Structure: An EAN-13 barcode includes a 13-digit number, typically consisting of a country code, a manufacturer code, a product code, and a check digit. The EAN-8 format is a shorter version used for smaller packages.
3. Compatibility: EAN barcodes are compatible with North America’s Universal Product Code (UPC) system. The first 12 digits of an EAN-13 are equivalent to a UPC-A code.
4. Retail and Inventory Management: EANs are primarily used in retail settings for point-of-sale scanning. They are also essential for inventory management and tracking.
5. Global Standardization: The EAN system contributes to the global product identification standardization, simplifying international trade.
6. Electronic Data Capture: EAN barcodes allow for the quick and accurate electronic capture of product information.

EANs play a crucial role in the global supply chain, enabling efficient retail operations and the international tracking and management of products.