U.P.C. Universal Product Code
The U.P.C. "A" has been the standard that has been used since the early 1970's as a unique company and product identification code. Starting January 1st 2005 the familiar 12 digit UPC code will go to 13 digits. The original UPC codes will remain valid symbols and will not change only newly issued codes will change
A GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) is used for the unique identification of trade items worldwide within the EAN.UCC System. A GTIN has a 14-digit data structure though its data carrier (bar code) may contain only 12-digits (the U.P.C.), 13-digits (EAN-13) or 8-digits (EAN-8). The GTIN is defined as a 14- digit number to accommodate all the different structures.
Old UCC-12 (UPC-A)
12 Total Digits
6 = Assigned by the UCC
5 = Item Number
1 = Check digit
New UPC
UCC-12 (Twelve Digits) structure depends on number of SKU's (Stock Keeping Units) that need to be tracked.
Six digits representing the UCC Company Prefix
Five digits representing the Item Reference number (99999 tracking up to 100,000 items)
One digit representing the Check Digit
Or
Seven digits representing the UCC Company Prefix
Four digits representing the Item Reference number (9999 tracking up to 10,000 items)
One digit representing the Check Digit
Or
Eight digits representing the UCC Company Prefix
Three digits representing the Item Reference number (999 tracking up to 1,000 items)
One digit representing the Check Digit
Or
Nine digits representing the UCC Company Prefix
Two digits representing the Item Reference number (99 tracking up to 100 items)
One digit representing the Check Digit
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