How to Create GS1 Compliant Labels

The GS1 System provides for the use of unambiguous numbers to identify goods, services, assets, and locations worldwide. These numbers can be represented in barcodes to enable their electronic reading wherever required in business processes.

GS1-128 is an application standard of the GS1 implementation using the Code 128 barcode specification. The former name was UCC/EAN-128.

GS1-128 uses a series of Application Identifiers (AI) to include additional data such as best before dates, batch numbers, quantities, weights, and many other attributes needed by the user.

  • See section describing the GS1 function to read more about the AIs.

  • Official recommendations for creating a GS1 compliant label are available here.

Complete the following steps to assign GS1-128 compliant data structure to a barcode:

  1. Create a new label.

  2. Add a Barcode object to design surface.

  3. Select GS1-128 as barcode type on Barcode tab.

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    Note

    GS1-128 barcode selection results in creating a Barcode and a Text object. Barcode object includes the symbol while the Text object includes GS1-128 function content.

  4. Click Source tab and open the Edit Function Definition dialog.

  5. Add LOT Number AI.

  6. Enter the sample data, for example 12345.

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  7. Add another AI, such as Expiration Date, for example June 3, 2016 (in YYMMDD format).

  8. Click OK. The GS1-128 barcode is placed on the label containing LOT and expiration date.

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