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EAN Bar codes - Information

What are EAN Bar codes? And how do EAN Bar codes work?

EAN codes (also known as European Article Number, EAN-13, or GTIN-13) are 13-digit unique codes for your product represented by a corresponding barcode graphic. The EAN code is used outside of North America (all countries except the USA and Canada) by retailers for inventory control purposes. When your product is scanned, the sales are tabulated, inventory adjusted, and reorders placed. For this reason each product and product variation, whether it is color, size, flavor, type or style needs a unique separate EAN code assigned.

The relationship between the EAN code and your product will happen at the retail level. When a retailer accepts you as a vendor, you will supply them your product information and EAN codes. The retailer enters this information into their inventory management system. From this point whenever your product's EAN barcode is scanned in one of their stores the information provided and entered is retrieved from the stores data base and the sale is recorded.

The EAN barcode graphic image above the EAN number is a tool the laser barcode scanner uses to decipher the code and retrieve the EAN number from the bars. Contrary to popular belief, there is no information encrypted in the EAN Barcode image itself other than the EAN number. The purpose of the scan is to expedite the checkout process and eliminate data entry errors.

The standards as they relate to EAN's are managed by an organization called GS1. GS1 is the new name for EAN International and the UCC (Uniform Code Council). EAN codes can be obtained in two ways: 1) They can be leased directly from GS1 for a considerable initial membership fee plus ongoing annual leasing fees or 2) purchased for a one-time fee from Simply Barcodes, including the EAN barcode image.

To request more information regarding Official EAN bar codes, please call 1-404-885-6066 (international) or 1-877-768-4977 (toll-free in USA and Canada). We sell authentic EAN codes that originate through GS1. You can also order online - Buy a single EAN bar code for only US$89 and receive fast email delivery of the EAN barcode image. There are no memberships, renewals or annual fees, setup charges, or any other ongoing commitments when you buy EAN bar codes from us!


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