GS1 DataBar Family of bar codesGS1 DataBar (formerly Reduced Space Symbols or RSS) symbols can identify small items and carry more information than the current EAN/UPC barcode (GS1 DataBar symbols will not necessarily replace EAN/UCC bar codes, as it will be left to the brand owner - the party responsible for specifying package design - to decide). GS1 DataBar enables GTIN identification for hard-to-mark products like fresh foods, jewelry and do-it-yourself hardware products and can carry GS1 Application Identifiers (AI) such as serial numbers, lot numbers, and expiration dates. This creates the opportunity for solutions supporting product authentication and traceability, product quality and effectiveness, variable measure product identification, and couponing.
GS1 DataBar is a family of linear barcode symbologies used within the GS1 System. There are three types of GS1 DataBar symbols, two of which have a number of versions optimized for different application requirements.
GS1 DataBar Omnidirectional or DataBar-14
GS1 DataBar Omnidirectional or DataBar-14 encodes AI (01) in a linear symbol that can be scanned omnidirectionally by suitably programmed slot scanners. GS1 DataBar-14 is capable of encoding 20000000000000 (2 x 10 ^ 13) values. These values are expressed as 14 digits called Global Trade Item Numbers (GTINs). The first digit is a linkage flag. The following 13 digits are data characters. The 13 data characters plus an implied check digit form a GS1 14-digit item identification number including a leading Indicator digit. NOTE: The leading (01) is the implied application identifier (AI) and is not encoded in the symbol. The last digit, which is a check digit, is not directly encoded in the barcode.
