How to read the bar code

Consider carefully the packaging of the goods. The code label may be printed directly on the label paper or on a separate label from self adhesive tape. Both ways are perfectly legitimate. And in any case the bars and digits of the barcode should be easy to read, not to be blurred and fuzzy.

The bar code supplements but does not replace ordinary consumer information. Important information about the product must be present on the packaging in the form of text and/or graphic images.

Don't be surprised to find several labels on the same product. International system of coding EAN provides two types of barcodes: normal and internal. A common code is assigned to mass-produced goods. Internal use in the territory of one enterprise, for example, in supermarkets to identify at the checkout weight of goods or piece goods of own production.

Count the number of characters in the usual barcode. Russia adheres to the European standard EAN, which provides for the labeling of the 13 Arabic numerals. The digital combination is unique. In the world there are no two goods with the same code. Assignment of barcodes is the responsibility of regional branch of the international organization EAN International.

The numbers in the code read from left to right represent:
the first two or three numbers – the country from which the goods arrived;
the next four or five digits (depending on the length of the country code) is the enterprise-manufacturer;
- a further five numbers – consumer properties of the goods (name, features, weight, composition, color);
the last digit – a control that is used to check the accuracy of code reading scanner.

Check digit to identify a fake bar code printed by the unscrupulous manufacturer or retailer. For this you need to calculate according to a formula the sum of all other digits and compare it with the value of the control.

For example, in the code 8808993505166 check digit you can test the following:
- add the numbers placed at even positions: 8+8+9+5+5+6=41
- multiply this amount by 3: 41х3=123
- add the numbers in odd positions, but the control: 8+0+9+3+0+1=21
- add the numbers obtained in the second and third calculations: 123+21=144
- drop the hundreds and tens, leaving only units: 4
- subtract 10 from the remaining number: 10-4=6
In the end, the check digit was correct. This testifies to the authenticity of the product.

The barcode is not associated with the quality of the product. According to its label cannot be determined, produced a product in accordance with all technological requirements. However, the combination of digits in the code can I find information about the manufacturer in the international system GEPIR, which supports the base of barcodes to date.