Barcode Registration
Barcode Registration
In a small grocery store, when you buy stuff, the person in the cash counter writes down what you got on a small piece of paper and you pay for it. But in big supermarkets or malls, it’s too busy for that. That’s where barcodes come in. Barcodes make the billing process really fast. So, if you want your products to be listed in Supermarkets or big retail stores you need Barcodes.
What is product barcode registration?
A product barcode is a unique identifier assigned to a product to facilitate its tracking and management throughout the supply chain. Barcodes are composed of a series of black bars/lines with spaces of varying width that represent numbers and are typically scanned by a barcode reader for quick and accurate data entry. The bars can be 12 or 13 depending on the country. To obtain this unique barcode, you must register with the appropriate information. When the image is scanned by the barcode scanner, it validates the product’s monitor and displays the details on the connected system’s monitor.
A barcode is essentially a unique sequence of numbers that serves as a product identifier. A barcode does not contain any information about the product (or company). The linkage between the barcode and the product’s registration occurs when the barcode is entered into a retailer’s database or inventory system. This linkage helps in tracking and managing the product within the supply chain. The barcode comprises a sequence of long digital numbers, represented by bars with spaces in between. The specific structure adheres to global standards, such as GS1. Barcodes themselves do not have an inherent expiration date. Once issued, a barcode can be used for the lifetime of the product or as long as needed by the business.
In the early 1970s, George J. Laurer developed the first 12-digit barcode in the USA. He then developed the 13-digit barcode for international use (outside the USA).
Advantages of a barcode:
FOR THE MANUFACTURER:
Cost Efficiency: Implementing barcode systems can contribute to cost savings. Automation of data capture processes reduces the need for manual labour and decreases the likelihood of errors, ultimately leading to cost efficiencies.
Export: The barcode is mandatory for customs clearance. Without the barcode, the customs officer will not allow the product to be exported. However, it helps to expand the business around the world.
Inventory tracking: In the production unit, the manufacturer must maintain a lot of inventory and data on all the products. Barcodes enable efficient tracking of inventory levels. Manufacturers can use barcodes to monitor the movement of raw materials, work-in-progress, and finished goods. This helps in minimising stockouts, preventing overstock situations, and optimising inventory levels.
Error Reduction: Manual entry of product information, especially during invoicing, can lead to errors such as misidentification of items or incorrect pricing. Barcodes significantly reduce the risk of human errors, ensuring accurate invoicing and minimising the need for corrections.
Selling in supermarkets and shopping centres: Only with a barcode, you can place your product in shopping centres and supermarkets. This is because they value customer satisfaction and speed of delivery.
FOR RESELLERS:
Instant invoicing: Barcodes are very helpful for fast invoicing. Barcodes enable quick and efficient scanning of products during the checkout process. This results in faster transactions at the point of sale, reducing waiting times by shortening the billing time for customers.
Improved customer experience: For resellers dealing with a high volume of transactions, barcodes significantly enhance efficiency. Scanning barcodes is much quicker than manually inputting product details, making it easier to handle bulk transactions smoothly. Especially during festival times as many customers make bulk orders.
Quick and Accurate Data Entry: Barcodes provide a quick and accurate method for data entry. This is particularly important in high-volume retail environments where manual data entry is prone to errors. Barcodes eliminate the need for manual input, reducing the risk of mistakes in product identification and pricing.
What types of barcodes are there?
UPC-A
The Universal Product Code known as the UPC-A barcode, is a 12-digit code. It is used in countries like the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
EAN -13 BARCODE
The EAN-13 barcode consists of 13 digits. It represents the predominant barcode type employed for product identification in India and globally within the retail industry. This coding system is widely adopted to streamline inventory management and facilitate seamless transactions.
DATABAR BARCODE
DataBar barcodes are often used to identify fresh food products. These barcodes can contain information such as the lot number or expiry date of an item, in addition to other attributes used at the point of sale, such as the weight of the item.
1D (ONE DIMENSIONAL) BARCODE
The GS1-128 and ITF-14 barcodes are recognized as versatile 1D barcodes extensively employed for the purpose of item tracking within the global supply chain. Distinguished by their flexibility, the GS1-128 barcode is adept at encoding various identification (Id) keys and additional information, including serial numbers and expiration dates. In parallel, the ITF-14 barcode serves as an efficient carrier for the Global Trade Item Number (GTIN), making it particularly well-suited for application on corrugated materials.
2D (TWO-DIMENSIONAL) BARCODES
2D (Two-Dimensional) barcodes, characterised by their square or rectangular appearance with intricate arrangements of small dots, find extensive application in diverse sectors, including industry, manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare. Their versatility allows for the encoding of substantial data within a compact visual representation.
ISBN NUMBER
International Standard Book Number is a unique identifier assigned to books and certain publications. Contrary to the reference to DataBar barcodes, ISBNs are the designated standard for labelling books and greeting cards. They provide a systematic means of cataloguing and managing publications, facilitating accurate identification, and tracking.
Who can apply for barcode registration?
- Any proprietor
- Individual
- Private Limited Company
- Public Limited company
The following documents must be submitted.
- Letter requesting allotment of barcode
- PAN card of the entity
- Copy of audited balance sheet as on 31st March.
- Certificate of incorporation/partnership deed
- Memorandum of Association/Articles of Association
- Copy of cancelled cheque
- For Partnership Firms:
- GST/VAT registration certificate
- Partnership deed
- For Private/Public limited Company:
GST/VAT registration certificate
- Registrars of Companies (ROC) certificate
- Memorandum of Association (MOA)
- For other entities (e.g. Registered Society, HUF etc.):
- GST/VAT registration certificate
- Registrar of Society (ROS) certificate.
- Cancelled cheque copy of the company
- For proprietorship firm:
- Proprietor’s PAN card for a proprietorship firm.
- Copy of audited balance sheet.
- Letter on company letterhead requesting barcode allotment.
- Proof of Status of the Applicant Company.
How to register a barcode?
To initiate the process of obtaining a barcode in India, prospective applicants are required to submit a formal request along with the stipulated documentation and requisite fees to GS1 India, the designated authority responsible for the allocation of GS1 Company Prefix for product barcoding purposes. The following documents should be furnished for the allocation process:
- A formal request or forwarding letter, prepared on official letterhead, outlining the request for the allotment of a barcode/GS1 Company Prefix Number.
- A copy of the audited Balance Sheet, highlighting the relevant section displaying the company’s turnover.
- In the case of a sole proprietorship, a copy of the owner’s PAN card, and for other business entities, a copy of the PAN card of the applicant company.
- Completion of the GS1 Barcode Registration in India entails the submission of a duly filled and signed form. Additionally, the “Product Classification Sheet” must be included, with clear indications, such as circled or marked entries, specifying the product categories manufactured or supplied.
- Proof of status of the applicant company affirming the legal status, as follows:
- Sole Proprietorship: VAT Registration Certificate.
- Partnership Company: VAT Registration Certificate or Partnership Certificate.
- Limited Company / Limited Liability Company: Certificate of Incorporation.
It is necessary to ensure that all documentation is accurate, complete, and adheres to the stipulated requirements to facilitate a smooth and expeditious barcode registration process with GS1 India.
How will it be different from others?
Barcodes are digitised, once the product barcode registration is done with the barcodes, legally no one can copy your own barcodes. You will receive a certificate of authenticity along with the barcode.
The available barcode formats:
You do not have to be a registered company to buy a barcode. Any individual, company or group can purchase a barcode. The standard size for EAN-13 barcodes is approximately 38mm wide, but anything within 80% – 200% of the standard size is acceptable.
The barcodes are supplied in the following readable formats
- Bitmap (*.bmp)
- TIFF (*.tif)
- Portable Network Graphics (*.png)
- JPEG (*.jpg)
- PDF (*.pdf)
- Zip (*.zip)
- Enhanced MetaFile (*.emf)
- Encapsulated PostScript (*.eps)
The minimum recommended width for an EAN-13 barcode is 30mm. Once you order the barcode, you will receive the barcodes in the following readable formats.
Why should you choose barcode registration?
Contemporary retail establishments widely adopt barcode technology. In the event that your intention is to market your products through retail channels, it is strongly advised to pursue barcode registration. This registration facilitates international utilisation of barcodes, thereby enabling the sale of your products across global markets subsequent to the successful registration of the product barcode. Notably, a significant volume of barcodes, when registered, will bear your company prefix. This distinctive feature enhances the visibility of your products within a retail setting, facilitating ease of identification for both consumers and retailers.
How far is the barcode registration necessary?
To what extent is barcode registration deemed imperative? In the contemporary landscape, characterised by pervasive mechanisation, the conventional process of manually inputting product data into databases or screens has been superseded. The advent of scanners has streamlined the retrieval of product details, with barcodes serving as indispensable tools in this regard. Upon acquisition of a barcode, its application is realised by affixing the corresponding barcode image onto the product. Subsequently, when the retailer employs a barcode scanner, the associated product data seamlessly surfaces on the screen, exemplifying the efficiency and accuracy inherent in this automated identification process.
Barcode Registration
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