GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 22, 2026

Barcode

The barcode is the most widely used optical identification tool in logistics, enabling automated data capture and continuous shipment tracking across the supply chain.

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Last updated: 22 June 2026Published: 19 June 2025

Source: https://www.gs1.org

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Logistics Concept

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Definition & Explanation

The barcode is the most widely used optical identification tool in logistics, enabling automated data capture and continuous shipment tracking across the supply chain. It encodes information as a sequence of parallel bars of varying widths and gaps, readable by handheld or fixed-mount scanners. Warehouses and freight operators use barcodes to uniquely identify articles, packages, and shipping units, supporting goods-receipt booking, inventory management, and end-to-end track and trace. Established standards include EAN (European Article Number) for retail items and GS1-128 for pallet- and parcel-level logistics units. Where higher data density is needed, one-dimensional barcodes are increasingly complemented by two-dimensional codes such as QR or DataMatrix, which store significantly more information in the same space.

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