GS1-8 Symbology Information

GS1-8 barcodes formerly know as EAN8 are used mainly outside the USA for retail product labelling.

They are used where there is limited space on packaging.

They are 8 digits long, the last digit being a check digit calculated from the other digits.

There is also an optional 2 or 5 digit extension which can be used to encode additional information but is not usually used for standard products.

These barcode numbers are allocated by GS1, a global organisation that allocates a company prefix to members for a yearly fee. You can apply for a GS18 for your products when you become a member.

This is why no two products in the world have the same barcode in a retail environment.