UPC codes

[m8internet]

Heres one to really task you!

Let's say you have a business that has a new product ready to go to market
You then need to assign a UPC code, so that it can scan through the retailers tills

Obviously you don't just want to issue it with any old UPC number, so how are they assigned and where are they controlled / issued from?

[retailworld]

Hi,

UPC's are generally used in the US/Canada, so wouldn't you want a bar code?

You can buy then in batches (I'm sure you posted a link to the site actually?).

If you are talking about UPC's, then Wiki is your friend:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Product_Code

[m8internet]

UPC, univeral product code, barcode, and EAN, are all the same thing
The international standard is UPC
The UK is assigned the UPC range 500 to 509, and we just so happen call them bar codes
We also tend to use UPC-15 or UPC-8, also known as EAN-15 and EAN-8

The problem I am having is finding out how, why, or where they are registered

[retailworld]

For use in the UK?

Lol, was just about to move the server as well ;)

[m8internet]

Not sure if you've ever noticed but on a stores product file most if not all of the UPCs are unique
I have loads of databases and very rarely are there any duplicates
Take Royal Mail stamps as an example
It's UPC is 5014721112299
Who decides what this is and assigns it?

[m8internet]

Well, here is the answer...

The retailer needs to sign up to GS1
http://www.gs1uk.org/about/Implementation_Guide.asp

The question is, how many retailers here have done so?

[retailworld]

http://www.gs1uk.org/about/Implementation_Guide.asp

Lol, just found the link...

Most retailers would buy the product with the bar code already assigned I'd guess.

[m8internet]

Many retailers are already signed up...
3663
Boots
comet
nisa
spar

I contacted a few people today, just to confirm if this was the case
Cadbury are also signed up

However, Marks & Spencer are NOT, as they assign their own UPCs
The UPCs they use are 7 digits and are unique to them!