Exploring the Need for Unique Barcodes for Consumer Products in UAE

Barcodes are like the unsung heroes of the Emirates business scene — everyone knows them, but not everyone realizes how they can actually save you money and time. In the UAE, businesses are catching on, and the use of barcodes has been on the rise for quite some time now.

These powerful labels may seem simple, but they’re a game-changer for businesses in Dubai and across the Emirates, making things smoother and more efficient. Every consumer product in the UAE requires a unique barcode. Read on to find out the necessity of unique barcodes for consumer products in UAE.

What is a Barcode?

A barcode is a visual representation typically in the form of a square or rectangle, comprising a sequence of parallel black lines and white spaces with varying widths. These codes are designed to be read by scanners, serving as a rapid means of identification.

Applied to consumer products, barcodes play a crucial role in various applications, including inventory tracking in warehouses, retail transactions, and assisting accounting processes on invoices, among numerous other functions.

Need for Unique Barcodes for Consumer Products in UAE – Explained

Usually, every consumer product requires a unique barcode so that you can sell it. They hold the same level of significance for your business as your website domain or your business bank account. Therefore, ensuring that barcodes are correct is very crucial.

Here are the reasons to have a separate barcode for a consumer product in Dubai and the UAE:

1. Barcodes give information about consumer products to the customers so that they are aware of what they are buying.
2. They give companies a universal form of identification, making them more efficient and allowing easy transactions.
3. Product barcodes play a pivotal role in enabling companies to enhance the customer check-out process, efficiently manage stock inventory, and monitor shipments between two different or more destinations.
4. Barcode registration enhances the online visibility of a product, making its information readily accessible when the barcode is searched on search engines such as Google.
5. The use of barcodes is notable in the retail industry, with many retailers insisting on products having barcodes for ease of integration. This not only facilitates smoother entry into stores but also broadens the availability of your product.
6. Registering a barcode offers advantages with certain mobile app scanners, like the Zebra app, ensuring that product information promptly appears upon scanning the product barcode.
7. They serve as a navigational tool for products within the supply chain.
8. When a barcode is registered in internet databases, it serves as a deterrent against unauthorized use on platforms like Amazon. Conducting a brief internet search that confirms the barcode’s existing registration significantly decreases the chances of unauthorized usage. While legitimately sold barcode numbers are safeguarded against unlawful use, addressing unauthorized usage can pose an additional challenge for the lawful owner. the straightforward process of barcode registration easily sidesteps this predicament.
9. Beyond logistical advantages, barcodes contribute to preventing counterfeiting by assigning a unique identifier to each consumer product. Additionally, they act as a deterrent against arbitrary price hikes by providing transparency and accountability in retail settings.

In addition to barcode registration, it’s important to note that product registration in Dubai is also a crucial step for businesses looking to enter the market and ensure compliance with local regulations.

Types of Barcodes in the UAE

GS1 barcodes and GTINs are the two primary barcode formats that are exclusive to you and provide your customers with useful information about your products.

GTIN (Global Trade Item Number)

You will require a unique product identifier (which is the GTIN) to identify your goods, whether you are selling them online or in-store. The numbers used on barcodes must be created before they can be used on the consumer product. These numbers are the GTINs which are also known as EANs or UPCs. Typically, the Brand Owner, the entity overseeing the specifications of the trade item, irrespective of its manufacturing origin, is required to assign the Global Trade Item Number.

A GTIN serves as a unique identifier for any predefined trade service, product, or any other item, subject to ordering, pricing, or invoicing throughout any point in the supply chain. Trade items include a broad spectrum, ranging from raw materials to end-user products.

UPC (Universal Product Code)

A universal product code is called a UPC. It is the basic barcode image of a 12-digit GTIN that is frequently used mainly in North America.

EAN

Formerly known as an International Article Number, EAN stands for European Article Number. In the retail sector, this kind of 1D barcode symbology is used to identify products at every stage of their life cycle. Product-specific data, including item weights, numbers, costs, and more, are encoded into EAN barcodes. It is one of the most well-known and often utilized barcode symbologies.

GPC

Global Product Classification is known as GPC. Items are categorized by GPC on the basis of both their connections to other items and their fundamental characteristics. A global set of standards for anything from an automobile to a liter of milk is provided by GPC.

GLN

The main purpose of a GLN is to get information about locations. A GLN can also be physically identified by a barcode at a specific place, such as the storage area or a dock door. GLNs play a critical role in logistics and transportation operations. For instance, to specify where the logistic unit should be delivered, a GLN can be displayed on a logistic label.

Thanks to GLNs, businesses can identify any level or kind of location that is needed, whether it be for operational, legal, or physical reasons. Since names, addresses, and other location-related information need not be shared with every transaction, they guarantee effective processing and communication.

Sub-Types of Barcodes

The barcodes are further divided into the following sub-types:

Name	Also known as	Encodable digits	Length	Purpose
EAN-13	GTIN-13, Retail Barcode, EAN	0-9	13	Identifying unique retail products at the point of sale
UPC-A	Retail Barcode, Universal Product Code, GTIN-12	0-9	12	Identifying unique retail products at the point of sale
EAN-8	European Article Number 8	0-9	8	Used for small products that cannot fit an EAN-13
ITF-14	TUN, Carton Code, GTIN-14	0-9	14	Carton code used by retailers for inwards goods
ISBN	International Standard Book Number, Book Barcode, ISBN Barcode	0-9	13	Selling books at the retail level
ISSN	International Standard Serial Number, Magazine Barcode, ISSN Barcode	0-9	13 digits plus 2- or 5-digit supplement	Barcodes for magazines sold at checkout
Code 39	Alpha 39, USD-3, Type-39	Alphanumeric characters + some special symbols	Variable	Asset labels, name badges, membership cards, etc. Any closed system that needs unique identifiers
Code 128	NA	All ASCII characters (128 characters)	Variable	These codes can be used for asset labels, name badges, membership cards, etc. Any closed system that needs unique identifiers
Code 11	USD-8	0-9 and – (dash)	Variable	Primarily used in telecommunications
Code 93	USS Code 93, USS 93, Code 9/3	Alphanumeric + special symbols	Variable	Internal use
GS1-128	UCC-128, EAN-128	Numeric characters	Variable, even number preferred	Can encode an enormous variety of details about a product shipment
SSCC	Serial Shipping Container Code	Numeric	18	Used on tertiary level of shipping (pallets etc.), these codes communicate the company and shipment number
Codabar	Codeabar, Ames Code, Code 2 of 7, Monarch, USD-4	Numeric + special symbols	Variable	Used for asset tracking, e.g. library books, the Codabar can function even on suboptimal printing material
QR Code	Quick Response Code, Matrix Barcode	Alphanumeric + symbols	Variable, more characters = more complex code	Commonly used to encode website URLs and versatile content

EAN-13

13 digits make up European Article Numbers, or EAN barcodes. Every retail goods, with the exception of books and magazines, uses them globally. In most places in the world, food and drink products are often marked with a 13-digit barcode, or “EAN-13.” 

With the exception of the USA and Canada, where UPC-A (Universal Product Code) barcodes are more prevalent, EAN-13 is the most extensively used barcode worldwide.

Every EAN-13 is encoded into a barcode image and a unique number for each product. This implies that the retailer records price and inventory information about your goods when the barcode is scanned into shop systems. Therefore, each unique product needs its own EAN-13 number. 

EAN-8

A more compact, globally unique barcode designed for very small consumer items that are exclusive to GS1 (a membership organization) and difficult to obtain. Because EAN-8 barcodes are only eight digits long, there aren’t many of them, hence GS1 takes precautions to protect them. Therefore, in order to get these, you must wait for GS1 to authorize this and submit documentation that your product is extremely small.

UPC-A

With the exception of magazines and books, all retail products in Canada and the USA have 12-digit UPC barcodes. UPC barcodes were first introduced in American retail in the 1970s, and they precede EAN-13 codes. Use a UPC-A code instead of an EAN-13 code if you are exporting or selling in Canada or the United States.

ISSN

Magazine barcodes are known as ISSN barcodes. They are based on a unique ISSN number that is given to every magazine. You must receive an ISSN number from the ISSN International Center in order to publish and sell a magazine. Once you receive your number, a barcode service provider like RIZ & MONA CONSULTANCY can turn it into a unique 13-digit retail barcode. 

ITF-14

ITF-14 Carton Codes, derived from EAN-13 and UPC-A barcodes, are exclusive to warehouses. Affixed to cartons, these codes signify a specific quantity of the product and aren’t for retail sales. For instance, individual retail items like wine bottles need retail barcodes, not ITF-14.

These 14-digit Carton Barcodes are applied on delivery boxes containing multiple retail products for stores. ITF-14 barcodes allow direct printing on packaging, mainly scanned during transit, in warehouses, and distribution centers. Primarily used on outer cases, these barcodes, originating from trade item groupings, aren’t suitable for Retail Point-of-Sale scanning.

SSCC

Serial Shipping Container Codes (SSCC) serve as shipping identifiers or codes, indicating the originating company of a pallet, container, or outer carton. SSCCs are used by companies to identify logistic units, comprising various trade products bundled for storage or transportation, such as parcels, cases, pallets, and more.

SSCCs are different from ITF-14 container codes. They cover shipments with diverse products, each having an associated EAN-13 code. In contrast, ITF-14 codes maintain a one-to-one correspondence with EAN codes. SSCC codes iterate for each order, helping retailers in recognizing the specific shipment they receive, and providing valuable information about the order’s origin and sequence, for instance, identifying it as the 20th shipment from a particular company.

ISBN

International Standard Book Numbers (ISBN) are unique identifiers or numbers assigned to books, starting with 978. Distributed by ISBN agencies in each country, they can also be acquired through independent publishing agencies, catering to self-publishing authors. ISBN Barcodes, generated based on an ISBN, ensure uniqueness, preventing repetition. This individuality assists retailers in efficiently tracking and managing each book in their inventory. ISBN book barcodes offer barcode images in four formats (JPEG, PDF, PNG, & SVG) corresponding to your ISBN number, providing versatility for various applications in book retailing.

Code 39

Internal unique numbering is accomplished via the use of Code 39 barcodes. This makes them suitable for library books, asset labeling, membership cards, and any other internal object that needs to be maintained or tracked.

Unlike retail barcodes, the uniqueness of these barcodes is not regulated, therefore they can only be utilized within a closed system. Because of their poor data density, Code 39 barcodes require a lot of bars and space to hold each character. These codes are therefore not appropriate for excessively lengthy character strings.

Codabar

A little-used barcode called the Codabar can be found in some antiquated internal inventory systems, such as those in libraries. These codes are quite outdated and are made to work even if they are produced using a mechanical printer (typewriter) or written on a paper of low quality. While it is less flexible in what it can hold, it is comparable to Code 39.

Code 128

Code 128 barcodes, akin to Code 39, are unregulated for internal use. However, Code 128s distinguish themselves by having a higher data density, enabling the encoding of more characters in a smaller space. Notably, they can include any ASCII character, not limited to symbols and alphanumeric.

Code 93

Code 93, an enhanced version of Code 39, offers a broader character range, more efficient encoding, and reliable scanning. Its applications align with those of Code 39, and a few companies use Code 93 for internal purposes.

Code 11

Code 11 barcodes, while relatively simple, have high density, allowing efficient use of space. They have a limited range of encodable digits. Telecom companies frequently employ Code 11 to identify essential business assets and equipment.

GS1-128

GS1-128 is a subset of Code-128 barcodes, specifically encoding only numbers. Unlike regular Code-128, GS1-128 barcodes are adept at encoding diverse product details, containing information like batch number, expiry date, packaging date, net weight, and other details.

The authenticity, uniqueness, accuracy, and global applicability of GS1 barcodes ensure security and trust. Manufacturers, brands, and retailers worldwide rely on the GS1 system for smooth business operations. From start to finish, every individual benefits from GS1’s tools, facilitating the delivery of the best services, choices, and experiences, thereby eliminating concerns about encountering issues with sellers globally.

QR Code

QR Codes have become prevalent in advertising, marketing, and digitally conveying information through a physical code. These barcodes are capable of storing more data than traditional 2D codes and are easily scanned using a smartphone device. QR code images for your products, whether static code or dynamic code, are available in four different formats (Eps, tiff, Jpeg, PDF).

Difference between GTIN and UPC

The primary difference between GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) and UPC (Universal Product Code) lies in the number of digits within their barcodes.

A UPC is a specific type of GTIN, consisting of a 12-digit barcode primarily used in the North American market to uniquely identify most products. On a global scale, the rest of the world employs 13-digit EAN (European Article Number) barcodes for product identification. Despite this difference, both UPCs and EANs are integral parts of the GS1 System, a set of international standards, and are thus universally accepted.

Functionally, an EAN barcode with a 13-digit GTIN performs the same role as a UPC barcode with a 12-digit GTIN. Therefore, if you obtain UPCs through a GS1 organization, they can be easily used in the world. In instances where a 13-digit number is required, you can easily append a zero to the front of your 12-digit GTIN to meet the specifications.

How Many Barcodes Do You Need?

The number of barcodes you should obtain depends on the specific products or variations you have. As per the best practices, it is recommended to acquire a unique barcode for each product or its variation. This practice aligns with the dual roles that barcodes serve in retail operations:

1. Inventory Management: Barcodes play a key role in tracking stock levels and determining when to initiate reorders.
2. Checking the Price: Barcodes are used to fetch the product price during the checkout process.

While it may be permissible to use the same barcode for two product variations (such as different colors of the same product) if the retailer solely uses barcodes for price retrieval, having separate barcodes becomes essential if the retailer uses barcodes for inventory management.

Generally speaking, retailers tend to prefer products that are easy to manage. Some may be hesitant to stock items that necessitate manual counting for each size and subsequent reorder adjustments. As a result, it is recommended to obtain a unique barcode for each product variation. This approach not only facilitates inventory management but also increases the likelihood of retailers stocking your products.

Benefits of Unique Barcodes for Consumer Products

Here are some of the benefits of having unique barcodes for consumer products in the UAE:

Product Information:

One of the significant advantages of barcodes is their ability to provide instant information and visibility of products. A simple scan can reveal a wealth of data, offering a swift and efficient means of managing product details throughout the supply chain, ultimately enhancing overall operational efficiency in Dubai.

Barcodes serve as a comprehensive repository of crucial product information. In the absence of a barcode, gathering essential details for a product, such as manufacturing date, expiry date, batch number, cost, manufacturing unit, ingredients, instruments, and asset location, can be a time-consuming task. This data collection process is particularly demanding during the product’s journey from the factory to the dealer’s warehouse and ultimately to the market, requiring careful recording for future reference.

The manual labor involved in this process can be both time-consuming and costly. However, the introduction of barcodes simplifies and speeds up this procedure. They are easily scannable, enabling quick access to vital information, and the scanned data can be safely stored in any software. This not only saves time but also reduces the need for extensive manpower and extra costs.

Enhanced Inventory Management

Barcodes are helpful in maintaining effective inventory control. Barcodes allow data to be scanned straight into any system’s main computer. As a result, the database loads quickly and the data in the inventory is correctly controlled. Consequently, this lowers all inventory levels and stages.

It shortens the search period and cuts down on wasted labor and additional expenses. Barcodes are an easy way to store a lot of data. It is sufficient to have one bar code per product to contain all the information about the retailer, the manufacturer, and the dealer. As a result, everyone can get the product information fast. Other than that, you are free to add whatever data to the bar code.

Different Barcode Sizes and Designs

Barcodes are incredibly versatile. You have the option to select the design, size, and type of data that will be stored in it. Nearly hundreds of pieces of information can be stored safely in a single barcode. In addition, barcodes are simple to apply to any surface. Barcodes also have a low cost. The cost of designing and manufacturing them is not very high. Consequently, these barcodes save a great deal of money for manufacturers, retailers, and customers by removing time wastage and extra labor costs.

Improved Operational Accuracy

Human mistake is completely eliminated with barcodes. It is necessary to record product details at several points in the transaction. Typically, when humans handle the task of maintaining the information, errors may occur. Barcodes are a wonderful replacement for these manual record-keeping methods. With just one scan of the barcode, all the information is disclosed. In addition to saving time, it protects the retailers or businesses in Dubai from incorrect data interpretation.

Assisting in Shipment Tracking

Barcodes allow for speedy data transfer. This is helpful for numerous tasks such as tracking shipments, finding product information, and many more. The process also gets easier because of how quickly the data is transmitted.

Barcode Registration in Dubai, UAE

Before selling a product in Dubai or the UAE, it’s crucial to register the barcode number and product information on the International Barcodes Database or with GS1. Barcode registration extends to major internet databases, boosting your product’s online visibility. This ensures that pertinent information appears when the barcode is scanned by smartphone apps like Zebra.

Consider the International Barcodes Network for registration, having a track record of serving over 40,000 clients across 120 countries with over a decade of international expertise. Barcodes obtained through this network enjoy broad acceptance among retailers worldwide, surpassing other barcode suppliers in global recognition.

When Can I Avoid Barcode Registration?

You have the option to choose not to use barcodes on your products if you want to sell them exclusively in your own store and not somewhere else. Additionally, and maybe more affordably, you can label every product you carry with a non-retail barcode number. This is due to the fact that products that are solely intended for internal use do not require inclusion in the “Barcoding System.”

Get Barcode Registration Services for Consumer Products from RIZ & MONA CONSULTANCY Dubai

If you want to register your product’s barcode in Dubai or anywhere else in the UAE, reach out to RIZ & MONA CONSULTANCY. Our expert advisors are dedicated to assisting you with the complete barcode registration process. As proud members of the International Barcodes Network, we bring over 10 years of invaluable experience in the barcode industry. Count on us for expert guidance on the effective usage of barcodes. Feel free to reach out to us for any assistance – we are here to help!

FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

Which barcode is used in UAE?

EANs (EAN-13), UPCs, and GTINs barcodes are mainly used in the UAE.

How to apply for a barcode in the UAE?

To apply for barcode registration in the UAE, you can contact professional barcode registration service providers like RIZ & MONA CONSULTANCY.

What barcode do I need for my product?

You can get the barcode depending on the type of your products. The product itself will decide which barcode you should get.

Can I create my own barcodes?

Yes, you can create your own barcodes but the process is quite hectic and lengthy involving a lot of steps. To make things easy for yourself, you can reach out to RIZ & MONA CONSULTANCY. We can create barcodes for your products depending on their types.

What is the difference between EAN and ITF barcode?

EAN stands for European Article Number. In the retail sector, this kind of 1D barcode symbology is used to identify products at every stage of their life cycle. Whereas, ITF is used to create the Shipping Container Symbol. It is used to mark palettes and cartons that contain consumer products with an EAN-13 code.