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The EAN-13 barcode is a 13-digit number used internationally to identify products.

The manufacturer code is a unique code assigned to each manufacturer by the numbering authority indicated by the GS1 Prefix. All products produced by a given company will use the same manufacturer code. EAN-13 uses what are called 'variable-length manufacturer codes'. Assigning fixed-length 5-digit manufacturer codes, as the UCC has done until recently, means that each manufacturer can have up to 99999 product codes.

In ISBN and ISSN, this component is used to identify the language in which the publication was issued and managed by a transnational agency covering several countries, or to identify the country where the legal deposits are made by a publisher registered with a national agency, and it is further subdivided any allocating subblocks for publishers; many countries have several prefixes allocated in the ISSN and ISBN registries.

It consists of the following parts:

1.Country Code (Prefix): The first 2 or 3 digits represent the country or geographic region where the manufacturer is registered. This code is assigned by the GS1 organization.

2.Manufacturer Code: Following the country code is the manufacturer code. This segment can vary in length but typically ranges from 4 to 7 digits, depending on the length of the country code. The manufacturer code is unique to each manufacturer and is assigned by the local GS1 organization in the manufacturer's country.

3.Product Code: The digits following the manufacturer code make up the product code. The length of the product code varies so that the total number of digits (excluding the check digit) equals 12. This code is assigned by the manufacturer and is unique to each product.

4.Check Digit: The 13th digit is a check digit used to verify that the barcode has been scanned correctly. It is calculated using a specific algorithm based on the preceding 12 digits.

Detailed Breakdown:

1.Country Code:

Assigned by GS1.

Examples:

''00' to '13' for the USA and Canada.

''50' for the UK.

''76' for Switzerland.

''489' for Hong Kong.

''690' to '695' for China.

2.Manufacturer Code:

Follows the country code.

Length varies to ensure the total length of the code (excluding the check digit) is 12 digits.

Assigned by the local GS1 organization.

Ensures uniqueness for each manufacturer within the country.

3.Product Code:

Assigned by the manufacturer.

Length is variable depending on the length of the manufacturer code.

Identifies the specific product within the manufacturer's range.

4.Check Digit:

The last digit of the EAN-13 barcode.

Calculated using the Modulo 10 algorithm.

Ensures accuracy in reading the barcode.

Example of EAN-13 Barcode:

Let's take an example barcode: 4006381333931

1.Country Code: '400' (Germany)

2.Manufacturer Code: '6381'

3.Product Code: '33393'

4.Check Digit: '1'

To calculate the check digit:

1.Sum all the digits in odd positions (from the left) except the last digit and multiply by 3: (4 + 0 + 3 + 8 + 3 + 9) * 3 = 81

2.Sum all the digits in even positions: (0 + 6 + 8 + 1 + 3 + 3) = 21

3.Add the results of step 1 and step 2: 81 + 21 = 102

4.The check digit is the amount you must add to get a multiple of 10. Here, 102 is already a multiple of 10, so the check digit is 0.

However, our example already ends with '1' as the check digit, indicating a typo in the sum step or the check digit calculation in the example. The correct calculation should ensure the final sum (including the check digit) is a multiple of 10.

Important Notes:

'The EAN-13 system is globally standardized, ensuring unique identification of products.

'The check digit plays a critical role in maintaining the integrity of the barcode reading process.

'Manufacturers need to register with the local GS1 organization to obtain their unique manufacturer code.

In summary, the manufacturer code within the EAN-13 barcode is a vital part of the product identification system, ensuring that each product can be uniquely traced back to its manufacturer.

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Once you obtain a GS1/UPC/EAN barcode, or other barcode type and QR code, you can use our free software to batch print barcode labels onto Roll label paper using a professional label printer, or to batch print barcodes onto Avery 5160 label sheets using a regular laser or inkjet printer. Our software has free and paid versions.

The free version fully meets your needs for batch printing GS1/UPC/EAN barcodes. The paid version can import data from Excel and databases to batch print barcode labels with different values.

How to Use & FAQ:

Highlights

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Flexible editions:

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Suitable Use Cases

Small businesses and startups needing quick barcode labels for products.

Retailers and online sellers managing inventory with batch barcode printing.

Manufacturers requiring sequential or custom barcode labels for packaging.

Educational and testing environments where barcodes are used for tracking.