Summary
Barcode Verification Services improves retailer productivity, and distributor tracking and tracing by ensuring that barcodes from any product or coupon scans the first time, every time. GS1 US tests determine if your product barcodes comply with GS1 Standards, and check each barcode symbol on a variety of point-of-sale scanners.
Products submitted for verification must be presented in their “retail form” or final form. GS1 US tests the barcode for compliance to the GS1 Standards through a verification process based on ISO/IEC 15416, ISO/IEC 15415 (ISO verification standards) and the GS1 General Specifications. This method assesses size, color, print quality and quiet zones. GS1 US also assesses barcode height, location/placement of the barcode, and the correct calculation of the check digit.
Please note that GS1 US will only verify barcodes with GS1 issued company prefixes.
For more information please view the Terms and Conditions.
The following checklist should be observed to ensure best results:
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Retail item to be tested (must be in its final form) along with the completed Barcode Verification Application |
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Non-retail items |
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shrink-wrapped trays (submit trays with the individual items packed inside) |
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display boxes (can be sent flattened for a complete assessment) |
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inner-packs and outer cartons (whole cartons can be sent flattened for a complete assessment) |
Note: A barcoded piece/panel of an irregular shaped consumer unit (e.g., cylindrical item) that has been removed from the consumer unit cannot be assessed as a complete sample.
Barcode testing can be done on laser prints, bromides, mock-ups and proofs, but all artwork samples are issued with an interim report only. This assessment is beneficial to check the barcode size and quiet zones (light margins). However, all other assessments can only be carried out on final samples. It is strongly recommended that items in their final form are submitted to obtain a complete verification report.
A Barcode Verification Application must accompany any submission for verification. It should specify:
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To whom the reports should be addressed to and all contact information |
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Where invoices should be directed - for example if a printer submits a product on behalf of a member, this submission must be accompanied by a letter from the member accepting charges |
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Unless otherwise specified in the cover letter, all samples will be disposed of seven days after the verification report issue date. If samples are to be returned a means of returning the samples must be provided with the verification application. This can be in the form of return courier tickets, return courier bag, postage paid envelope, organizing for a courier to collect the samples, or personally collecting the samples from the GS1 US offices in Lawrenceville, NJ. |
Verification reports will be returned within 10 business days of the receipt of the samples. Please be aware that Partner Connection members will receive priority for Barcode Verification Services. Every possible effort has been made to ensure that the information and specifications in the Barcode Verification Reports are correct, however, GS1 US expressly disclaims liability for any errors. The GS1 US Verification report can be downloaded here.
Please note that heavy/bulky items should not be submitted for testing. This includes items over 25lb (pounds) in weight or very large items that are awkward to handle. Empty, flat packaging can be submitted for verification in this case.
A fee of US$35 per sample.
Partner Connections members receive a premium discount of over 25%, at a fee of US$25 per sample.
Please note, sample is defined as a single bar code on the label. Samples submitted with multiple bar codes are subject to an additional $10.00 fee per each additional bar code.
Coupon Verification Services
Mock-ups and proofs of coupons utilizing the GS1 Coupon Code, the GS1-128 Coupon Extended Code, or the GS1 DataBar Expanded Symbols can be verified to ensure the data encoded within the coupon meets the requirements specified in the U.S. Application Standard for Coupons and the North American Application Guideline Using GS1 DataBar™ Expanded Symbols.
Click here to download the Barcode Verification Application.
Along with the Print Quality Verification report, the Coupon Verification report will be graded on a Pass/Fail basis on the encodation of each element of a coupon.
A fee of US$45 per coupon sample.
Partner Connections members receive a premium discount of over 20%, at a fee of US$35 per coupon item.
Annual Barcode Verification Services Subscriptions
Yearly subscriptions are available for products and coupons at a discounted rate per sample.
For subscription questions, please contact the Verification Services Department by clicking on the link below.
GS1 US
Attention: GS1 US Barcode Verification Services
Princeton Pike Corporate Center
1009 Lenox Drive, Suite 202
Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
For any further information, click here to contact the GS1 US BarCodes & eCom group.