EAN and GTIN labels for the retail sector

Anyone selling goods in retail outlets, via online marketplaces or to wholesalers needs EAN barcodes (now officially known as GTINs). These barcodes are the international standard for product identification – from the supermarket checkout to the warehouse management system.

EAN, GTIN, UPC – what’s what?

• EAN-13: The European standard – a 13-digit barcode that you’ll find on practically every product in the supermarket
• EAN-8: A short, 8-digit version for very small packages
• GTIN (Global Trade Item Number): The umbrella term that encompasses both EAN and UPC. Issued by GS1
• UPC-A: The American equivalent with 12 digits – used by Amazon US and the North American retail sector

When do you need EAN labels?

EAN labels are required if:

• Your product does not have a barcode printed on the packaging
• You sell own-brand products or retail goods without a manufacturer’s code
• The existing barcode is damaged or illegible
• You are putting together bundles or sets that require their own GTIN
• The retailer or a marketplace requires a scannable EAN code

Requirements for EAN labels

Order EAN labels: Our EAN/GTIN/UPC labels are printed in accordance with GS1 standards and are optimised for all standard POS scanners.