The European Article Number (EAN) is a globally recognized standard for identifying retail products, serving as the foundation for the barcodes found on nearly every consumer item. This numerical code allows cash registers, inventory systems, and supply chains worldwide to instantly recognize a product. The EAN provides a unique digital fingerprint necessary for efficient commerce, enabling accurate tracking and stocking of goods across different markets. Understanding this identifier is important for businesses operating in modern, interconnected global trade.
The Definition and Structure of the EAN
EAN stands for European Article Number, though this identification standard is used far beyond the European continent. The most common format is the EAN-13, a 13-digit code systematically structured to convey specific information about the product and its origin. This structure ensures that no two retail products worldwide share the same numerical sequence.
The first two or three digits of the EAN-13 represent the GS1 prefix, indicating the national GS1 organization that assigned the number. This often corresponds to the country of registration for the brand owner. Following this is the Company Prefix, a unique number assigned to the specific manufacturer or brand. The remaining digits form the Product Code, which the manufacturer uses to differentiate individual products or variations. The sequence concludes with a single Check Digit, calculated to verify the integrity of the preceding numbers and prevent scanning errors.
EAN vs. UPC: The North American Connection
The EAN standard developed separately from the Universal Product Code (UPC), which originated in North America and is primarily a 12-digit format. The UPC was adopted by the United States and Canada as their primary retail product identifier. This 12-digit code does not explicitly include a country code.
The EAN-13 was designed to be compatible with the UPC system by adding a leading zero to the 12-digit UPC, extending the North American format into a 13-digit global standard. While the 12-digit UPC is still widely used in the US and Canada, the 13-digit EAN is the format recognized globally. This allows for seamless integration of products into international markets and has driven the industry toward the 13-digit structure as the default for worldwide retail trade.
EAN’s Modern Role: Transition to GTIN
While the term EAN-13 remains common, the official global standard encompassing this format is the Global Trade Item Number (GTIN). GTIN is an umbrella term covering all standard product identification formats used in the supply chain. These formats include EAN-13, UPC-A (GTIN-12), EAN-8 (GTIN-8), and the 14-digit GTIN-14 used for trade item groupings like cases or pallets.
The transition reflects an effort to standardize product identification across all levels of trade, moving beyond the retail focus of the original EAN. This system is governed by GS1, the global standards body responsible for maintaining these unique identifiers. Defining the GTIN as the overarching standard ensures product data is consistent and recognizable across all platforms and geographies. The EAN-13 is considered a specific format of the modern, flexible GTIN standard.
How EAN/GTIN Codes are Used in Business
EAN and GTIN codes are essential to modern business operations, enabling automated commerce. Their most immediate use is at the Point of Sale (POS), where the barcode is scanned to instantaneously retrieve product details and pricing from a database. This ensures transaction speed and accuracy.
Beyond the checkout line, these codes are indispensable for inventory management and supply chain traceability. By uniquely identifying every product variation, they allow businesses to track stock levels, automate reordering, and monitor the movement of goods from the manufacturer to the store shelf. Major e-commerce platforms like Amazon and eBay require valid GTINs for new product listings to verify authenticity and prevent the sale of counterfeit items. Without a legitimate GTIN, a product cannot be efficiently tracked or sold through modern retail and online channels.
Obtaining and Registering EAN/GTINs
Businesses needing EAN/GTIN codes must register with their local GS1 member organization. GS1 is the only authorized source for assigning prefixes, guaranteeing the resulting GTIN is globally unique and linked to the brand owner. The registration process involves submitting an application, providing company documentation, and paying an initial fee and an annual subscription.
Once registered, the business is assigned a GS1 Company Prefix, which they use to create GTINs for each product variation. This direct registration with GS1 ensures acceptance by major retailers and online marketplaces worldwide. Purchasing codes from third-party resellers often results in codes not verifiably linked to the brand owner, leading to listing rejections and operational complications.