The primary purpose of these prefixes is to ensure . By assigning specific blocks of numbers to different national GS1 branches, the organization prevents two different products from having the same barcode anywhere in the world.
Some governments mandate specific barcode formats for sensitive imports, such as pharmaceuticals, to combat counterfeiting. Country Code Prefix - International Barcodes country barcode
Detailed lists of these prefixes are maintained by organizations like OnBarcode and International Barcodes . The "Made In" Myth vs. Reality The primary purpose of these prefixes is to ensure
Major retailers like Amazon and Walmart often require barcodes registered directly through GS1 to verify brand ownership. Country Code Prefix - International Barcodes Detailed lists
Most consumer goods use the (European Article Number) or UPC (Universal Product Code) format. In an EAN-13 barcode, the first two or three digits are the GS1 Company Prefix , which indicates the country where the barcode was issued, not necessarily the country of origin. Common GS1 Country Prefixes Prefix Range Country / Region 000 – 019 USA and Canada 300 – 379 France and Monaco 400 – 440 Germany 490 – 499 Japan 500 – 509 United Kingdom 540 – 549 Belgium and Luxembourg 690 – 699 China 890 India 899 Indonesia
A common misconception is that a barcode starting with "690" guarantees a product was manufactured in