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GS1 DataBar symbols were endorsed and adopted by GS1 in 2005, working on behalf of a global cross-industry task force comprising retailers, fast moving consumer goods manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, GS1 Member Organizations (MOs), and trade associations.
GS1 DataBar (formerly Reduced Space Symbology or RSS) symbols can identify small items and carry more information than the current EAN/UPC bar code. GS1 DataBar enables Global Trade Item Number® (GTIN®) identification for hard-to-mark products, such as apples, pears or other types of loose produce. It also can carry GS1 Application Identifiers, such as serial numbers, lot numbers, and expiration dates, which creates the opportunity for solutions supporting product authentication and traceability, product quality and effectiveness, variable measure product identification, and couponing.
Two Sunrise Dates for GS1 DataBar in the United States:
January 1, 2010
GS1 US recommends that retailers in the business of selling loose produce and processing manufacturer coupons begin preparing point-of-sale hardware and software systems to scan and process GS1 DataBar symbols and numbers by January 1, 2010. Retailer adoption of point-of sale-scanning of loose produce items and manufacturer coupons is well underway in the U.S., and suppliers in these categories of business are continuing on the path of complete implementation. Update: On June 18, 2009, the Joint Industry Coupon Committee recommended that manufacturers coupons continue to carry both GS1 DataBar and the U.P.C.-A symbol until January 1, 2011. This does not delay the 2010 Sunrise Date for coupons. GS1 US recommends that manufacturers monitor their retailers’ and other trading partners’ GS1 DataBar plans and timelines closely. Note: The removal of U.P.C.-A from coupons in 2011 does not apply to other uses of the U.P.C.-A.
January 1, 2014
GS1 US recommends that all other categories of retailers consider preparing point-of-sale hardware and software systems to scan and process GS1 DataBar symbols and numbers by January 1, 2014. Examples of industries expressing interest in implementation of GS1 DataBar prior to 2014 are healthcare, magazine publishers, cosmetics, jewelry, and categories of fresh foods, such as meat, poultry, and fish.
Important Note Regarding EAN/UPC and Future Applications of GS1 DataBar:
It is not the intention for GS1 Databar to replace EAN/UPC bar codes on all categories of products. GS1 US recommends that suppliers and manufacturers consult with retail and distributor trading partners before proceeding with implementation of GS1 DataBar. Future implementation of GS1 DataBar technology for specific categories of products will be best determined by industry work groups on both sides of the supply chain. This will help ensure that all parties have the necessary information to prepare systems efficiently.
GS1 DataBar Omnidirectional is a linear symbology that facilitates omnidirectional scanning. It encodes 14 digits of numerical data used to identify Global Trade Item Numbers (GTIN) for scanning in the supply chain (Application Identifier ‘01‘).
GS1 DataBar Omnidirectional can be scanned and decoded in four segments and then reconstructed. This aids in facilitating omnidirectional scanning. Each segment consists of a data character and its adjacent finder pattern.
GS1 DataBar Omnidirectional is dimensioned as 96X wide by 33X high (X= "X" dimension or narrow bar width).
GS1 DataBar Omnidirectional is the full height version of this part of the family.
This form of GS1 DataBar allows the full height GS1 DataBar Omnidirectional (see above) to be printed in two rows of two segments each, which reduces the overall length of the linear barcode so it can fit better on certain packaging configurations. The separator pattern between the two rows is designed to eliminate cross-row scanning errors.
GS1 DataBar Stacked Omnidirectional is dimensioned as 50X wide by 69X high.
This form of GS1 DataBar allows truncation (shortening the height of a barcode) of the height to 13 times the nominal printing density ("X" dimension multiplied by 13). The normal GS1 DataBar Omnidirectional symbol has a height of 33X ("X" dimension multiplied by 33). Because of this truncation of the height, GS1 DataBar Truncated does not retain the same "over-square" attribute that GS1 DataBar Omnidirectional does and therefore is best scanned with a hand-held scanner such as a wand, hand-held laser or CCD scanner.
This form of GS1 DataBar allows the truncated (see above) GS1 DataBar Stacked to be printed in two rows of two segments each. It has the same application as GS1 DataBar Truncated but is used where a narrower symbol is needed. The separator pattern between the two rows is designed to eliminate cross-row scanning errors.
GS1 DataBar Stacked is dimensioned as 50X wide by 13X high.
GS1 DataBar Limited is a new linear symbology that encodes the same data as defined for all four types of GS1 DataBar Omnidirectional previously described above. The encodation process is different and limits the values assigned for Indicator digits to 1 or 0. This form of GS1 DataBar can be printed very small and is not generally intended for omnidirectional scanning.
GS1 DataBar Limited contains two large data characters and a Mod 89 symbology check character. It does not have stacked or omnidirectional formats and is designed for small item identification.
GS1 DataBar Limited is dimensioned as 71X wide by 10X high.
GS1 DataBar Expanded is a variable length, linear symbology that is encoded differently than GS1 DataBar Omnidirectional. This symbology allows up to 74 numeric or 41 alphabetic characters. This form of GS1 DataBar can be printed at densities that can be omnidirectionally scanned. It is used to encode 14 digits of numerical data that can be used to identify GTIN for scanning in the supply chain. It can also be used to encode all GS1 Application Identifiers, as used logically in GS1-128 symbols.
GS1 DataBar Expanded is designed to be scanned in segments similar to GS1 DataBar Omnidirectional. It is variable length with four to twenty two depending on the amount of data to be encoded. The symbology check character encodes a Mod 211 check value and the number of segments in the symbol.
GS1 DataBar Expanded encodes all Application Identifier Element Strings. Special compaction methods have been designed to decrease the symbol size for common Element Strings.
Unlike GS1-128, the GS1 DataBar Expanded symbol has been designed to be read by omnidirectional point-of-sale scanners.
Dimension is not listed here since GS1 DataBar Expanded is a variable length symbology.
This form of GS1 DataBar allows the GS1 DataBar Expanded (see above) to be printed in two to eleven rows of two segments each, which reduces the overall length of the linear barcode so it can fit better on certain packaging configurations.
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