REGISTERING YOUR OWN BARCODE
A brief "how to" guide...

GS1 UK are worldwide authority for the GS1 system (a common language of electronic identification and communication that can be used by any organization regardless of size, industry or location. Companies looking to register a barcode will need to join GS1 UK to do so.

Visit GS1 UK website

The numbers most commonly shown in barcodes on products are also used in electronic messages such as orders, invoices and despatch advices.

These unique numbers have no meaning, but they act as a link to information held on databases about each product line, company, location, shipping unit or asset that is being identified. The way in which companies and organisations use these numbers is standardised internationally, which means that standard electronic business documents can be exchanged simply, accurately and quickly in all global supply chains.

THE BARCODE REGISTRATION PROCESS

Brand owners assign a globally unique number, which replaces proprietary or in-house codes. The number includes the company prefix number attributed to each GS1 UK member and an item reference. The unique numbers have no meaning: when scanned or used, each number acts as a key to look up pre-defined information from a separate database.

The most widely used numbers, Global Trade Item Numbers (GTINs), are those used to identify product items. A GTIN is used to identify any product that which can be priced, ordered or invoiced at any point in the supply chain. More information about bar codes can be found in the bar code symbologies section

To join GS1 UK and to register your own barcode, visit www.gs1uk.org