The EAN-8 barcode was developed for use on small packages. It is used instead of the EAN-13 barcode where an EAN-13 barcode would be too large, for example on packets of gum.
Valid symbols: |
0123456789 |
Length: |
fixed, 8 characters |
Check digit: |
one, modulo-10 algorithm |
The structure of the EAN-8 barcode is in the same as the structure of the EAN-13 barcode. The check digit is calculated automatically irrespective of input data.
The barcode contains the following elements:
3 digits - a prefix of the national organization.
4 digits - product code.
1 digit - check digit.
This barcode does not contain the code of the producer and has only 4 digits. As a result there can only be 10000 specimen products per organization, so the EAN-8 barcode is provided only to those organizations which really need it.
An "EAN-8" barcode.
Note the 'human readable' digits at the foot which can be used by operators if the label becomes damaged or will not scan for some reason - "12345670" is the number encoded in the barcode.