GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 22, 2026
EAN-128 (GS1-128)
Unlike EAN-13, which carries only a product identifier, EAN-128—now officially known as GS1-128—uses Application Identifiers (AIs) to encode multiple layers of logistics data within a single linear barcode: batch numbers, expiry dates, serial numbers, pack quantities, and more.
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Source: https://www.gs1.org/standards/barcodes/gs1-128
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Definition & Explanation
Unlike EAN-13, which carries only a product identifier, EAN-128—now officially known as GS1-128—uses Application Identifiers (AIs) to encode multiple layers of logistics data within a single linear barcode: batch numbers, expiry dates, serial numbers, pack quantities, and more. Each AI is a two- to four-digit numeric prefix that precedes the data field and unambiguously defines its meaning. GS1-128 is standardized under ISO/IEC 15417 and is widely mandated in pharmaceuticals, food, and automotive supply chains where regulatory traceability requirements apply. In day-to-day freight operations, it appears on shipping labels, pallet tags, and delivery notes, and is read directly by most warehouse management systems.
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