Bar codes? Is there a universal code to understanding random bar codes, or does each retailer use their own...

Question

Is there a universal code to understanding random bar codes (from differtent retailers), or does each retailer use there own numbering system?

Is it possible that two items (from two different stores) could have the same bar code number?

Answer 1

Retailers don't put the bar codes on products. Manufacturers do.

The first six digits identify the manufacturer. All of a certain manufacturers' products would have UPC codes with the same first six digits. For example, all of Tropicana's products have UPC codes starting with 048500.

The second five digits identify the product. For example, 00139 identifies Homestyle Orange Juice, 64-ounce carton.

The last digit is a "check digit." It's basically the result of a complicated series of calculations using the other 11 digits. It's there so a bar code scanner can do the calculation and compare its results to the check digit. If they match, the bar code scanner scanned the bar code correctly. The check digit for 04850000139 is 4.

Put the above together, and the UPC code for Tropicana's Homestyle Orange Juice, 64-ounce carton is 048500001394.

Answer 2

The UPC bar code on items sold in stores like grocery stores is put on the item by the manufacturer. The first part of the code identifies the manufacturer, and the last part identifies the item itself.

Stores like department stores sometimes put their own bar code on the products they sell.