Barcode Compliance – Where Do You Stand?


Barcode Compliance

Do You Know Which Of These 3 Barcodes Are In Compliance?

There are 2 points to consider and one answer………

Point #1: You cannot really check a barcode using only your eyes.  It takes tools like SCANALYST 3 to do the job.

NONE of these 3 great looking barcodes are in compliance!

One is formatted incorrectly.  That means the data in the barcode cannot be interpreted, it is useless.  In this example the bad data is the Expiration Date for a perishable product.  It could have been on packaged chicken or fish. 

Another barcode is of substandard quality, below the minimum of ISO 1.5.  This means that it may not be able to be read by all scanners.  Efficiency, ease of use and potentially accuracy have been compromised. Imagine a nurse administering to a patient and having to deal with a barcode that refuses to be scanned. 

Finally, one has data that does not match the human readable information below the barcode.  That means that something really bad may have happened.  Some paid the correct amount and others did not.  Some folks got the right item/medication while others did not. 

Point #2: Even if the barcodes were printed correctly, they are not in compliance unless the barcode content, format and application rules are followed.

Todays barcode applications are aggressively resolving some of our most difficult issues using new technologies and techniques.  High density barcodes that can contain multiple fields of data, structured for easy and accurate decoding, added product data with supporting databases in the cloud that provide the transparency and assurance needed, are but a few of the newer elements used.  With that, you can see that ensuring compliance is not as simple as it once was. Today, and into the future, a barcode compliance tool like SCANALYT 3 is required.

Answer: So then, the real answer is that while compliance is not always so simple, it is becoming much more important to users. Understand the standards you are working in. Attain compliance in all product labeling aspects. Build a culture of compliance to make it easier over the long haul. 

Looking for help with your barcodes?

Send us an email at the link below and and we will get you started with your free Barcode Verification report.  We will inspect your barcode for you using SCANALYST 3 and give you the result. This is temporary offer, usually worth $300, is FREE to help you get started with your barcode compliance program..  Be sure to include:

  • Contact Name
  • Company Name
  • Contact Phone Number
  • Attached Image of your barcode
  • Subject Line – Barcode Compliance

To get more information on your barcodes CLICK HERE