Barcode symbologies
B1: What is the ITF-14 symbology? What are the benefits of ITF-14?
B2: What is GS1-128 symbology?
B3: What are application identifiers?
B4: How can we incorporate barcoding printing modules based on GS1 system in my software products?
B5: What is the appropriate bar code symbology for representing the GTIN-14 numbering?
B6: What is SSCC? What are the benefits of SSCC?
B7. What is Reduced Space symbology (RSS)?
B8. What is the RSS Composite Symbology?
B9: Where will the new symbologies (RSS & Composite) of GS1 system be applied?
Barcode symbologies
B1: What is the ITF-14 symbology? What are the benefits of ITF-14?
A. ITF-14 is a barcode symbology which provides primary identification for an item not likely to be sold
at retail. The ITF-14 barcode symbol is large and has high printing tolerances making it suitable for
printing on coarse or coloured surfaces.
Benefits of ITF-14 :
ITF-14 is suitable for printing on coarse surfaces because the symbol is large and has greater
printing tolerances.
ITF-14 barcodes may be directly printed on corrugated boxes.
ITF-14 barcodes are compatible in all countries including the USA and Canada.
B2: What is GS1-128 symbology?
A. GS1-128 enables combination of a secure bar code symbology and standardized data content to be used
in many supply chain applications including:
Tracking and Tracing of Logistic Units;
Identification of Trade Units;
Tracking and Tracing of Returnable Assets.
B3: What are application identifiers?
A. The "AIs" or "Application Identifiers" are numbers that denote information contents represented in
GS1-128 bar codes. Ex: AI (01) stands for the GTIN - 14; AI (15) stands for a minimum durability date of
an item or item group. AI (10) stands for Batch number. AI (00) stands for SSCC or serial shipping
container code.
For more details download document from Trade Unit on our website.
B4: How can we incorporate barcoding printing modules based on GS1 system in my software products?
A. Barcoding modules may be developed in software products using the following:
Using readymade Active Controls/Java servlets/Font Tools for barcodes which can be integrated
in applications
Build interface to integrate barcode printing software with various applications
Users of the GS1 standards include internationally recognized Retailers, Healthcare Providers,
Manufacturers, Transporters and Logistic Service Providers.
Features of UCC/GS1-128 include
Represents letters; numbers and special characters;
Permits data concatenation;
Organizes the data format through more than 80 standardized AI's(Application Identifiers);
Benefits of GS1-128 symbology
It can convey the primary identification plus virtually any management, administrative or financial
information about an article or package.
It offers the potential to automate and integrate many business operations.
It is required on most trade units.
It is compatible in all countries including USA and Canada
B5: What is the appropriate bar code symbology for representing the GTIN-14 numbering?
A. Both the ITF-14 and GS1 - 128 symbologies support a 14-digit GTIN.( Global Trade Identification
number). This barcode permit GTIN identification followed by variable-measure information (weight,
length, volume, etc.) So, the ITF-14 symbology and the GS1 - 128 symbology are not captured by optic
reading in the majority of retail point of sale. However, as they are logistics units, they are captured upon
receiving at the store and during cargo movement and the distribution process from the moment of shipping
by industry.
B6: What is SSCC? What are the benefits of SSCC?
A. Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC) is used as a key to managing and tracking goods throughout
the whole warehousing, distribution and transport process. Some shipments consist of pallets or containers
of the one product while others could be shipments of either mixed products or single products.
In each case, the shipment receives a unique number and this SSCC identifies that shipment for its lifetime
within the supply chain. This enables one to automate the manual receiving and forwarding process so that
logistics units can be moved to the next point quickly, accurately and efficiently.
The SSCC is an ISO standard designed to uniquely identify logistic units (cartons, cases, pallets, etc.).
Benefits of SSCC
Logistics Units are identified with a number that is unique worldwide
The SSCC is a GS1 and ISO global standard.
The same standard can be used through the entire supply chain
More space efficient bar code is used.
Can be used for both inter and intra-company transactions.
All numeric structure leads to faster data processing.
Structure of SSCC
The SSCC is simply a 18-digit, globally-unique number used to identify any logistics unit. Its basic
components are:
An GS1 Company Prefix
A Serial Reference
A Check Digit
The uniqueness of the number is ensured through the use of the GS1 Company Prefix. When
combined with the Serial Reference assigned by the member company it acts as an identifier or
license plate thus providing access to information stored in computer files and sent to trading
partners via electronic commerce.
Extension Check
Digit GS1 Company prefix & Serial reference number Digit
N1 N2 N3 N4 N5 N6 N7 N8 N9 N10 N11 N12 N13 N14 N15 N16 N17 N18
POSITION 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
SSCC E N N N N N N N
N N N N N N N N N C
E (position 1) = Extension digit; it has no defined logic, and is available to the member company to
increase the capacity of the Serial Reference.
N (positions 2-17) = GS1 Company Prefix and Serial Reference
C (position 18) = Check Digit
A SSCC represented as a barcode is shown below:
(00) 3 8901000 000000001 0
AI E GS1 prefix Serial no. CD
Here (00) is Application identifier for SSCC.
PI-Stands for packaging indicator used for internal reference within a company.
GS1 company prefix is the company prefix allocated by GS1 India.
Serial no. is a reference no. for consignment allocated by a company.
Check digit.
B7. What is Reduced Space symbology (RSS)?
A. The Reduced Space Ssymbology (RSS) code family may be divided into two categories: RSS-14
which can encode a GTIN (14 numbers) and Expanded RSS, able to encode 74 numbers or 41 alpha-
numeric characters. Each category also has different codes to be applied in specific situations. The major
differences may be observed in the table that follows.
Different Symbologies Encoding Capacity Omni directional
RSS 14 GTIN (14 digits) YES
RSS 14 Truncated GTIN (14 digits) NO
RSS 14 Stacked GTIN (14 digits) NO
RSS 14 Stacked Omnidirectional. GTIN (14 digits) Yes
RSS Limited GTIN (14 digits) NO
RSS Expanded AIs (74 digits) NO
RSS Expanded Stacked AIs (74 digits) YES
B8. What is the RSS Composite Symbology?
A. It is an GS1 symbology composed of a Two-dimensional bar code that may be attached to the upper
part of any linear GS1 code (traditional). As a result, we have a great increase in the data storage capacity
of conventional codes. Currently, there are 3 types of Two-dimensional Symbologies named CC-A, CC-B
and CC-C (abbreviation of Composed Component A, B and C).
Each symbology has a different encoding capacity, according to the table below:
CC-A: encodes up to 56 digits (may be used with all GS1 codes)
CC-B: encodes up to 338 digits (may be used with all GS1 codes)
CC-C: encodes up to 2,361 digits (must be used only with the GS1-128)
B9: Where will the new symbologies (RSS & Composite) of GS1 system be applied?
A. New symbologies have a broad market of application within the segments of telecommunications,
electric and electronic goods, variable measure products, and health care products, where the products do
not have adequate spacing for applying traditional GS1 codes or have a requirement of incorporating more
data within a barcode.