Australian Meat Industry. Guidelines for. Numbering and Bar coding of. Non-Retail Trade Items

Transcription

1 Australian Meat Industry Guidelines for Numbering and Bar coding of Non-Retail Trade Items FINAL DOCUMENT Updated: January 2002

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3 Document Change Control Initial Draft 16 th July 1999 Preliminary Draft - 1 st Revision 22 nd July 1999 Preliminary Draft - 2 nd Revision 30 th July 1999 Preliminary Draft - 3 rd Revision 12 th August 1999 Preliminary Draft - 4 th Revision 16 th August 1999 Final Draft 9 th September 1999 Final Draft - Revised pages 14,16,27 13 th September 1999 Final Draft -Minor updates -Released version 27 th September 1999 Final Industry Pre-Release 3 rd April 2000 Final Industry Pre-Release v.2 17 th April 2000 Final Industry Pre-Release v th April 2000 Final Industry Pre-Release v th August 2000 Final Industry Pre-Release v th August 2000 Final Document (excl. MLA logo) 15 th August 2000 Final Document 16 th August 2000 Update to Document 26 th July 2001 January 2002 Australian Meat Industry Guidelines i

4 Changes made to Meat Industry Guidelines January 2002 January 2002 Term barcoding to become bar coding Non-retail items to become non retail trade items Introduction of assets into the definition of EAN.UCC System is an internationally compatible system for the identification of items, service, logistic units and assets, locations. EAN Australia technical manual becomes EAN Australia User Manuals Introduction of Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) instead of EAN/UCC identification number Introduced the concept of the EAN/UCC-13 with a filler zero rather than an EAN/UCC-14 Introduced EAN.UCC company prefix Variable Weight becomes variable measure trade items Definition of AI 17 and 15 was corrected Variable Quantity becomes variable count Attribute information location has been updated to should be aligned with to the left or right of the main bar code rather than under the main bar code Light margins should be printed with the leading and trailing light margin areas of at least 10 modules in width rather than at least 10mm in width Location of logistic label from one side to ideally on a minimum of two adjacent vertical sides Updated Figure 4 to reflect the correct data titles on the label to define data Updated AI list Updated When to change a number table Updated Services Section ii Australian Meat Industry Guidelines January 2002

5 Contacts This document was developed in conjunction with the Australian Meat Industry and EAN Australia. It has been designed to provide the Australian Meat Industry with methods and examples for bar coding non-retail item/trade units (cartons, carcasses, bulk packs, etc) and shipment units (pallets, containers, truckloads, etc). This document also briefly explains the methods for electronically transferring information about shipments. The technology used for this process is called Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). This document should be read in conjunction with the EAN Australia User Manuals Contact, with regard to this document is: EAN Australia 2 Kingston Town Close Oakleigh Victoria 3166 Telephone: Facsimile: (03) Web site: Acknowledgements Aus-Meat Australian Meat Council Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service EAN Australia Food Science Australia Meat and Livestock Australia National Meat Association of Australia Disclaimer While every possible effort has been made to ensure that the information in these guidelines is correct, no claim is made, nor guarantee issued with regard to accuracy or completeness. EAN Australia therefore disclaims all liability for any errors or omissions in these guidelines. January 2002 Australian Meat Industry Guidelines iii

6 Contents 1. Executive Summary About this Guideline Limitation of this Guideline Operating Principles of the EAN UCC System What are EAN UCC Numbers? Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) What are EAN UCC Barcodes? Primary Objective of the EAN UCC System Definitions Retail Items (Consumer Units) Barcode Symbology Non-retail trade items (Trade Units) EAN UCC Numbering and Bar coding Options for Trade Units Attribute Information Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC) Australian Meat Industry requirements for Non-retail trade items and Logistic units for Domestic and Export How to Number and Bar Code Trade Items for the Australian Meat Industry EAN/UCC-13 Number EAN/UCC-13 Number with a filler zero EAN/UCC-14 Number Formats for Attribute Information Application Identifiers (AI's) for Carcasses and Carton Products Important Points about AI's AI for the Carton if considered a Logistics Unit EAN International provision for Source Animal Traceability & UN/ECE Meat Carcasses and Cuts Label Requirements Carcass Ticket Carton Label Location and Size of the Barcode on Non-retail trade items Barcode Location on Carton Product (Non-retail trade items) Barcode Location on Shallow Trays and Carton Location of Attribute Information Barcode Print Quality Recommended Barcode Height Barcode Orientation Using the SSCC in the Supply Chain Using the SSCC at Different Levels of Logistics Units Shipment Level Pallet Level Carton Level Structure of the SSCC EAN UCC Logistics Label (Pallet, Container, Shipment, Consignment) Components of the EAN UCC Logistics Label Label design Label Dimensions Technical Specifications of the Logistics Label...23 iv Australian Meat Industry Guidelines January 2002

7 Label Location on Logistic Units Global Location Numbers Introduction Definition of the Global Location Number or GLN Implementation Steps and Issues to Consider EAN International and its Objectives Introduction The Services EANassist EANacert EANnet EANconsult...41 January 2002 Australian Meat Industry Guidelines v

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9 1. Executive Summary 1.1 About this Guideline This guideline provides recommendations and guidance needed to implement and understand the EAN UCC System of numbering and bar coding for the Australian Meat Industry (export and domestic) for non-retail trade items. Non-retail trade items, in relation to this guideline can relate to either edible meat product i.e. for human consumption or non-edible meat products e.g. hides and by-products. The EAN UCC System is an internationally compatible system for the identification of items, services, logistic units, assets and locations traded world-wide. It provides an open standard that meets the needs of all industry sectors. This guideline specifically provides examples and methods of use for both export and domestic products for the following: Non-retail trade items - Carcass - (whole or part wrapped or non-wrapped [non-carton]) Carton (standard cartons, bulk bins, tubes, bladders) Logistic Units Pallet (of cartons, tubs) Module lots Shipment (container, truck load) This guideline does not specifically address live animal requirements or non-edible by-products but focuses on edible (for human consumption) products, however, it can be equally applied to non-edible products. Although the degree to which companies implement the guideline will vary because of the differences in commercial needs, the aim of this guideline is to provide a basis for a common approach to an internationally compatible numbering and bar coding system. It should be noted that the adoption of this guideline by the Australian Meat Industry is voluntary and implementation is left to the discretion of the individual company. The requirements of trading partners and the need for product traceability mandate the commercial necessity for publication of this guideline. It should also be noted that this guideline has complete compatibility with other industry guidelines on the use of the EAN UCC numbering and bar coding system Limitation of this Guideline This guideline is intended to apply to the domestic and export sectors of the Australian Meat Industry. It is fully consistent with emerging commercial arrangements for the identification of products through the distribution and wholesale chain, as well as with developments internationally where the EAN UCC System is also being adopted. When the industry focus changes, then the guideline will change either to include the implementation of the EAN UCC System from the live animal or to include any international requirements. This document will be appropriately updated at that time. Suffice to say, this document is relevant at any part of the supply chain and is consistent with the international application of the EAN UCC System. January 2002 Australian Meat Industry Guidelines 1

10 2. Operating Principles of the EAN UCC System 2.1 What are EAN UCC Numbers? At the simplest level, item numbering is what the name suggests a system for identifying items by giving each one a unique number. Numbering can be applied at every stage of manufacture and distribution. It can even be used to identify services, locations, processes and shipments. While the most visible aspect of modern item numbering is the barcode, the barcode is only a machine-readable representation of a number. It is the number, which is the important element in the EAN UCC System, because the number identifies the item to which it is assigned. The EAN UCC numbering system provides for global uniqueness and overcomes problems in confusion, duplications and misinterpretation, because all users of the EAN UCC System follow the same coding rules. The EAN UCC numbering system also provides the ability for items to also carry, within the numbering convention, extra or attribute information pertaining to that item. An EAN UCC number can be recognised not only by local trading partner companies, but by companies operating overseas as well. Each EAN UCC number is unique world-wide, so there is no possibility of confusion. The country prefix and company number, within the EAN UCC number establishes its global uniqueness Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) The term Global Trade Item Number or GTIN is a collective term used in the EAN UCC System for the unique identification of trade items worldwide. A trade item is any item (product or service) upon which there is a need to retrieve pre-defined information and that may be priced or ordered or invoiced at any point in any supply chain. This includes individual items as well as all their different configurations in different types of packaging. The GTIN is defined as a 14-digit number to accommodate all the different numbering structures (e.g. EAN/UCC-13, UCC-12,EAN/UCC-14 or EAN/UCC-8). In a database, all numbers must be right justified in the 14-digit field and when printed, only significant zeros of the GTIN is printed (e.g is correct, printing is incorrect). This document refers to each of the individual numbering structures and its applicable use; however note that collectively all are termed GTINs. 2.2 What are EAN UCC Barcodes? Barcodes in short are data carriers. The barcode is used in the EAN UCC System to represent the EAN UCC numbering system. In simple terms a barcode consists of a series of parallel, adjacent bars and spaces. Predetermined width patterns are used to represent actual data in the barcode. This data can be the item number or the attribute information relating to the item. A scanning device is moved across the barcode from one side to the other, in doing so the width pattern of the bars and spaces is analyzed by the reading equipment and the original data are recovered. It allows real-time data to be collected accurately and rapidly. EAN UCC endorsed barcodes allow automatic data capture which is a key business solution for the meat industry supply chain. The EAN UCC numbering and bar coding system allows fast accurate and timely data 2 Australian Meat Industry Guidelines January 2002

11 input into computer systems, automating the flow of information into business processes. It also enables improved data capture and transfer of information, while reducing costs. EAN UCC barcodes printed in accordance with EAN UCC specifications must be applied to products, packages and containers in such a way that the barcode can be read by a scanner. There are certain rules, which must be followed to ensure scannability of barcodes. For a comprehensive coverage of aspects concerned with numbering and printing of EAN barcodes, use this guideline in conjunction with the EAN Australia User Manuals. These rules must be followed to ensure that barcodes scan successfully. 2.3 Primary Objective of the EAN UCC System The primary objective of the EAN UCC System is to make possible the identification of all items, services, logistic units, companies and locations to facilitate communication, data collection and exchange of information in the interests of trading partners. The system provides a common language of communication for trade and commerce world-wide, and is applicable to virtually all industrial and commercial sectors. The key component of the EAN UCC System is the numbering system. The barcode itself, is only a means for automatic data capture. EAN UCC standards comprise of three distinct components (two of which are the focus of this document): standard numbering (unique and unambiguous) standard barcodes (for automatic data capture) standard electronic business to business data communications (using EDI) January 2002 Australian Meat Industry Guidelines 3

12 3. Definitions 3.1 Retail Items (Consumer Units) Any item, which is intended to be sold to the final consumer through retail point of sale, is considered to be a RETAIL ITEM, or more commonly known as a CONSUMER UNIT. Any item that can be considered both a retail item (consumer unit) and a non-retail item (trade unit) is numbered and barcoded according to the rules applicable to retail items Barcode Symbology A retail item must be barcoded with an EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A or UPC-E bar code. Figure 1: EAN-13 UPC-A EAN-8 UPC-E For printing of EAN bar codes on consumer units the EAN UCC standards as specified in the EAN Australia User Manuals are applicable. 3.2 Non-retail trade items (Trade Units) A non-retail item, or more commonly known as a trade unit, and hereafter referred to in this document as a trade unit, is any item or standard grouping of items made up to facilitate the operations of handling, storing, order preparation, shipping, etc. A trade unit can be a single item, a shrink wrapped pack of items, a whole carcass or part of a carcass, a cardboard case, a tray, a bulk bin, tubes, bladders, a pallet or any similar type of packaging created for the purpose of shipping and handling. A trade unit can contain a single type of item or in some cases a standard mix of different items. When carrying different items it is called an assorted or mixed unit. It is recognised that beyond the retail item itself, there can be many different levels of packaging of trade units. The first level of packaging, which is not likely to be sold at retail point of sale, is considered to be the lowest level trade unit (these are normally referred to as inners/intermediate packs). The last level of packaging (the outer most) of a trade unit is considered to be the highest level, this is up to but not including the pallet. However, this does not preclude suppliers from issuing trade unit numbers to pallets if they desire to identify the pallet as a trade unit. NOTE: 4 Australian Meat Industry Guidelines January 2002

13 EACH INDIVIDUAL LEVEL OF TRADE UNIT MUST BE UNIQUELY IDENTIFIED WITH A DIFFERENT GLOBAL TRADE ITEM NUMBER (GTIN). Table 1: EAN/UCC Numbering and Bar coding Options for Trade Units Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) UCC/EAN- 128 EAN/UCC-14!! EAN/UCC-13 with filler 0!! BAR CODE OPTIONS ITF-14 EAN-13 UPC-A EAN/UCC-13 *! UCC-12 * * Mandatory when the trade units are likely to be sold as retail items.! EAN UCC Numbering and Bar coding Options for Trade Units A trade unit can be numbered and barcoded with any one of the following options: EAN-13 UPC-A UCC/EAN-128 (01) ITF-14 January 2002 Australian Meat Industry Guidelines 5

14 3.3 Attribute Information Attribute information is any variable information required over and above the product identification, such as Use by dates, Batch numbers, Serial numbers, etc. This information is shown using EAN UCC Application Identifiers, referred to hereafter as AI s, (a full list is attached). All attribute information is always represented with EAN/UCC AI s in the UCC/EAN-128 bar code symbology. Refer to Appendix C for details of specific AI's required for the Australian Meat Industry. 3.4 Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC) The SSCC, is an 18 digit number 1 and is used to uniquely identify goods on the way from sender to final recipient, and can be used by all participants in the transport and distribution chain. Each transport lot 2 (logistic unit), at the time of its creation is uniquely identified by the sender with a SSCC. A label encoding the SSCC is applied to the logistic unit using the appropriate EAN/UCC AI and the UCC/EAN-128 bar code. The SSCC uniquely identifies the entity (i.e. the shipping container or logistic unit to which the SSCC is applied) for the lifetime of that unit. The SSCC can be used by all parties in the supply chain as a reference number or license plate to extract all the relevant shipping container information held in computer files within the receiver s information systems. The SSCC acts as a reference key which unlocks the information in the computer systems. 1 The 18-digit SSCC number contains the unique EAN UCC company prefix of the company issuing the transport lot or logistic unit. For further information refer to the EAN Australia User Manuals. Note, if a company has been allocated an 8-digit EAN UCC company prefix, then this 8-digit number will remain fixed in the 18-digit SSCC. 2 Transport lot is a term used in the Australian meat industry as referring to a logistics or transportable unit. 6 Australian Meat Industry Guidelines January 2002

15 Diagram 1: Diagram 2: Details of the each SSCC are transmitted via EDI, prior to the goods being received. The use of EDI facilitates the advance notification of shipping information. Each SSCC carries the shipment details of the logistics or transportable unit. Upon scanning the SSCC, the customer's receiving systems will be able to identify the contents of the logistics or transportable unit. January 2002 Australian Meat Industry Guidelines 7

16 4. Australian Meat Industry requirements for Non-retail trade items and Logistic units for Domestic and Export 4.1 How to Number and Bar Code Trade Items for the Australian Meat Industry The following section describes the method by which a Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) can be assigned to trade items within the Australian Meat Industry. Under the EAN UCC specifications all of the options given below are available for numbering and bar coding of standard trade items. However if attribute data is to be applied on non-retail trade items, as recommended by the Australian Meat Industry then use the UCC/EAN-128 barcode options. The ITF-14 barcode can only be used to represent the EAN/UCC-13 with a filler zero OR EAN/UCC-14 identification number. It is not possible to use the ITF-14 barcode to represent attribute data. For further information refer to the EAN Australia User Manuals EAN/UCC-13 Number As mentioned in Section 2.1 the EAN UCC System provides for the identifying of items by giving each item a unique number. The EAN/UCC-13 number is usually assigned to the retail or consumer unit. While it can be assigned to nonretail trade items, an EAN/UCC-13 number is mandatory if the item is scanned at point of sale. An example of an EAN/UCC-13 number; Where = EAN UCC company prefix (assigned by EAN Australia) = The Item Number (assigned by the EAN UCC company prefix holder. See Note 1) 7 = A mathematically calculated check digit. (It validates the accuracy of the entire number by using the modulo10 algorithm formula). Note 1: The 4-digit item number field provides participants in the Australian meat industry with the ability to include the AUS-MEAT 4 code relevant to the item. Alternatively a non-significant number can be assigned to the item. Note 2: The EAN/UCC-13 number can also be assigned to non-retail trade items and be represented in an EAN-13 barcode. 3 Members of the Australian Meat Industry who identify themselves as meat industry participants complying with the AMI Guidelines, will upon joining EAN Australia be assigned a 8-digit EAN UCC company prefix Number or an item number range from 0000 to 9999 (i.e. 10,000 numbers). Under normal circumstances, new EAN members are initially assigned a 9-digit EAN UCC company prefix Number or an item number range from 000 to 999 (i.e. 1,000 numbers). 4 AUS-MEAT code is a 4-digit code assigned by AUS-MEAT Limited to each different cut of meat. 8 Australian Meat Industry Guidelines January 2002

17 An EAN/UCC-13 identification number represented in an EAN-13 barcode (always applies when the trade unit is likely to also be sold as a consumer unit at retail point of sale) EAN/UCC-13 Number with a filler zero The EAN/UCC-13 number with a filler zero is applied to non-retail trade items (cartons, bulk bins, wrapped or non-wrap carcasses). An EAN/UCC-13 number with a filler zero is crated by allocating a unique EAN/UCC-13 number which is then preceded with a filler zero. When a GTIN is formed with a filler zero, the 13 characters must be unique, that is you must not repeat the GTIN allocated ao any other trade item (where 0=Fill character, = EAN UCC company prefix, 0001= Item reference and 4=check digit) An EAN/UCC-14 identification number with a filler zero represented in an ITF-14 barcode. The filler zero is used when a new and unique GTIN is allocated to every different level of non-retail item. An EAN/UCC-14 identification number with a filler zero and an EAN"UCC AI 01 represented in a UCC/EAN-128 barcode. (01) EAN/UCC-14 Number January 2002 Australian Meat Industry Guidelines 9

18 The EAN/UCC-14 number is applied to non-retail trade items (cartons, bulk bins, wrapped or non-wrap carcasses). The EAN/UCC-14 number is created by prefixing the existing GTIN of the retail/consumer trade item with an indicator (logistical variant), which is a number between 1 and 8 and recalculating the check digit. Different indicators are used to identify different levels of non-retail trade items. Indicators should be non meaningful and are used only to create additional unique 14 digit EAN/UCC numbers (where 1= indicator (logisitical variant), =retail item number and 4=new check digit). Note: The indicator of 9 is reserved for variable measure trade items. An EAN/UCC-14 identification number with an indicator (logistical variant) represented in an ITF-14 barcode. An indicator (logistical variant) (a number between 1 and 8) is used when the GTIN of the consumer items inside the non-retail trade item is used as the basis of the EAN/UCC-14 identification number. (A new check digit will need to be calculated). Nine (9) is reserved for variable measure trade items. An EAN/UCC-14 identification number with an indicator (logistical variant) and an EAN UCC AI 01 represented in an UCC/EAN-128 barcode. (01) For further details and explanation on any of the above options, refer to the EAN Australia User Manuals or contact EAN Australia. 10 Australian Meat Industry Guidelines January 2002

19 4.2 Formats for Attribute Information A Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) can be used alone on a non-retail trade item (trade unit). Where additional information is required to be the barcoded using the UCC/EAN-128 barcode, the appropriate AI's must accompany the GTIN Application Identifiers (AI's) for Carcasses and Carton Products The Australian Meat Industry has a requirement for the following attribute information to be barcoded for carton and carcass edible product suitable for domestic or export trade. The table below shows the mandatory i.e. minimum recommendations for meat products (including part carcass or wrapped carcass), including the EAN/UCC-14 identification number. Mandatory AI's: Attribute Information AI Data Format Example Item Identification digit numeric (fixed length) (Primary identification of the product, either carcass or carton) Net weight, Kilograms NB: Weight information is mandatory if the item is a variable measure trade item. Production Date* (YYMMDD) *Referred to as Kill Date in the Meat Industry and only applicable to the carcass label Not required if Packaging Date (AI13) is used Packaging Date* (YYMMDD) *For use when carcasses or part carcasses are to be wrapped at a later stage or boned and packed into cartons. Not required if Production Date (AI11) is used Serial Number NB: If a generic product is produced by more than one manufacturer and barcoded with a customer's item identification number, then possible duplication of serial numbers could exists. It may be necessary in this case to use a SSCC to ensure global uniqueness. 310c (c indicates plus one digit for decimal point indication e.g. 3102) 6 digits numeric (fixed length) 11 6 digits numeric (fixed length) 13 6 digits numeric (fixed length) 21 Alpha numeric up to 20 characters (variable length) NB: The indicator (logistical Variant) of 9 is reserved for variable measure trade items (Variable measure is kg) (21 st July 2002) (25 th July 2002) L January 2002 Australian Meat Industry Guidelines 11

20 Optional AI's after Mandatory AI's have been barcoded: Attribute Information AI Data Format Example Maximum Durability Date (YYMMDD) (Use By Date) * Either AI15 or AI17 could be used at the discretion of the supplier digits numeric (fixed length) Minimum Durability Date 15 6 digits numeric (YYMMDD) (fixed length) (Best Before Date) * Either AI15 or AI17 could be used at the discretion of the supplier. Batch/Lot Number 10 Alpha numeric up to 20 characters (variable length) Variable Count (Refers to the number of primal cuts in the carton or trade unit item, where the number is >1) NB: Used when the GTIN refers to a variable measure trade item. 30 Numeric up to 8 digits (variable length) st October th September Important Points about AI's A GTIN may be presented in a separate barcode field or as one field with one or more of the AI s and the item identification number for the non-retail item. Where multiple AI s are required these can be more efficiently combined into a single barcode (which is called concatenation). Refer to Appendix C on concatenation. When an item carries a fixed content, the quantity information is generally associated with the GTIN information held in the database. There are many other AI s available for use at the discretion of suppliers or distributors. Please refer to Appendix C for a further explanation about Application Identifiers and Appendix D for the full list of AI s. For more information about other AI's refer to the EAN Australia User Manuals. 12 Australian Meat Industry Guidelines January 2002

21 4.2.2 AI for the Carton if considered a Logistics Unit. If a carton product is considered the logistics unit then a globally unique SSCC will need to be assigned to that logistics unit. Attribute Information AI Data Format Example Serial Shipping Container digits numeric Code (SSCC) (fixed length) For more details on the use of the SSCC refer to Section EAN International provision for Source Animal Traceability & UN/ECE Meat Carcasses and Cuts In addition to the AI's listed above, EAN International has provided two AIs which may be used by the meat industry. One AI is called Reference to Source Entity. This AI provides the ability to reference the trade unit (e.g. carcass) back to the original item from which the trade unit derived from (the bovine animal). The issuer of the trade item must indicate through other means the source entity to which the data refers. While the Australian Meat Industry has not identified this AI in it's minimum set at this stage, details of this AI is detailed below for reference. Another AI is called the UN/ECE Meat Carcasses and Cuts Classification. This UN/ECE Meat Carcasses and Cuts Code 5 is an attribute of the EAN UCC identification number that denotes an alternative international trade description of the product. As it is an attribute of a trade item it should not be processed on its own, but together with the identification number of the trade item to which it relates. Note: The use of this AI is only for use, within the context of the UN/ECE Standards for the quality of meat carcasses and cuts (Bovine, Porcine, Ovine and Caprine) Reference to Source Entity UN/ECE Meat Carcasses and Cuts Classification 251 Alpha numeric up to 30 characters (variable length) 7002 Alpha numeric up to 30 characters (variable length) V456XYZ For more information about this AI, please contact EAN Australia Label Requirements The label requirement detailed below only relates to the EAN UCC System. Legislative or statutory requirements for the meat industry have not been included, for the reasons of simplification. 5 For more details about the UN/ECE Meat Carcasses and Cut Code refer to Aus-Meat January 2002 Australian Meat Industry Guidelines 13

22 Carcass Ticket For carcass products (including part carcass or wrapped carcass) the recommended information to be represented in the UICC/EAN-128 barcode is; EAN/UCC-14 number including AI 01 - e.g. (01) Refer to Appendix C, point 5 for a breakdown of the EAN/UCC-14 number for variable measure trade items. Variable weight AI 310c - e.g. (3102) Production Date (or Kill Date) - e.g. (11) Packaging Date - e.g. (13) is to be used where the carcass is to be packed with an outer covering at a later stage Serial Number - e.g. (21) L (Unique for every carcass label for at least 2 years, even if reprinted Refer to Appendix C on the industry's recommendations for the serial number) Other human readable information may be printed on the carcass ticket, which may not be barcoded. These requirements have not been included in this document and are left to the trading partners, some of which may be for statutory requirements. (Example Only: Carcass ticket with UCC/EAN-128 barcode) EAN Meat Company Est.No.3 (01) (3102)002720(11)020721(21) L Body/Side Slaughter Date Hot Weight 403L 21-JUL-02 10: kg Sex Dent Cat Fat.D Lot Bruise Oper Dest F O Y O CC2 M Carton Label Below are the minimum requirements to be on carton labels for carton products (including bulk packs), which is represented in one barcode. Other optional information to be barcoded as listed below should be printed in a secondary barcode below the primary barcode. Barcode I (Mandatory data, to a maximum of 48 characters 6 )- EAN/UCC-14 number including AI 01 e.g. (01) Variable weight AI 310c e.g. (3102) Packaging Date (date that the carton was packed i.e. carcass was boned) AI 13 (YYMMDD) e.g. (13) Serial Number (unique for every carton label for at least 2 years, even if reprinted. Refer to Appendix C on the industry's recommendations for the serial number) - e.g. (21) The maximum number of encoded human readable characters for one UCC/EAN-128 barcode is 48. This number includes AI's and function characters when used as field separator characters, but excludes auxiliary characters and the symbol check character. 14 Australian Meat Industry Guidelines January 2002

23 Barcode II (Optional data. Only required when agreed between trading partners)- Maximum Durability Date* (used by date) AI 17 (YYMMDD) e.g. (17) Batch/ Lot Number (unique lot number generated by plant ranging from 1 per serial number to 1 for a days production) AI 10 - e.g. (10) Variable Quantity (number of pieces) AI 30 - e.g. (30)6 Others as required by trading partners * At the discretion of the supplier AI17 could be substituted for AI15 which refers to Minimum Durability Date (best before date). AI15 (YYMMDD) - e.g. (15) Other human readable information may be printed on the carton ticket, which may not be barcoded. These requirements have not been included in this document and left to the trading partners, some of which may be for statutory requirements. If a carton is to be treated as a logistics unit, i.e. a shipment in its own right, then refer to Section 4.5 on applying an SSCC to the carton level logistics unit. [Example Only: Carton Label] January 2002 Australian Meat Industry Guidelines 15

24 4.3 Location and Size of the Barcode on Non-retail trade items Productivity and scanning accuracy improve considerably when the barcode location is predictable. Consistency in the location of the barcode achieves maximum productivity in any scanning environment. The current practices in the meat industry for the number and placement of labels on cartons and pallets do not match the EAN standard guideline requirements. It is acknowledged that industry practices take time to change as such any new systems being implemented should, where possible, comply with these guidelines. The recommendations are advisory, not compulsory, but EAN strongly recommends that these guidelines be followed. Industry standardisation of the location achieves the most efficient manual and automated scanning. When deciding on the location of the barcode always consider the packaging in its final form, allowing for plastic wraps or other packaging elements, which may obscure the barcode Barcode Location on Carton Product (Non-retail trade items) In decreasing order of preference, the recommended location of the barcode on carton product, according to EAN"UCC specifications is: two adjacent vertical sides Note 1: It should be noted that the Australian Meat Industry has for a number of reasons traditionally located all barcodes and regulatory information on the end panel of the carton. Changes to this location should not be made without consultation with regulators, customers and warehouses. Note 2: The suggested locations mentioned above are recommended subject to space and size limitations on Meat Industry cartons. To meet the minimum EAN"UCC System recommendation, the "one-side" location on a carton can be one end panel. Note comments above. Note 3: For the Carcass ticket the location is less critical then for the carton product, as carcass scanning is not generally automated but are manually scanned. EAN"UCC Location Specifications: the lower edge of the bars 32mm 7 from the lower edge of the base. no part of the bar code (including light margins) should be located closer than 19mm to any vertical edge when using an ITF-14 barcode, the outer edges of the barcode s left or right bearer bar a minimum of 19mm from the vertical edges of the side The above location recommendations apply to cartons, carrying an EAN-13, UCC/EAN-128 or an ITF-14 barcode. 7 This dimension has been established under the EAN UCC system after considering the height at which most fixed scanners are positioned on conveyor/assembly lines. 16 Australian Meat Industry Guidelines January 2002

25 If there are multiple barcodes on the carton, this location specification is relative to the lower most barcode. * 32mm 19mm * The 32mm measurement is from the bottom of the bars Barcode Location on Shallow Trays and Carton If the height of a carton or tray is less than the height of the barcode at the magnification size required, or if the construction of the unit is such that the full size barcode cannot be accommodated, the following options should be considered in order of preference: 1. Print the barcode at full height with the top of the bars located at the top of the side (i.e. as close as possible to the recommended location). 2. When the height of the carton is less than the height of the barcode including human readable information, the human readable information should be placed to the left of the symbol (allowing for the light margin). 3. When the height of the carton is less than the bar height, the bars should run from top to bottom of the carton's side, again with the human readable information placed to the side (i.e. truncate 8 the barcode by the minimum amount) Location of Attribute Information For carton product the attribute information should be aligned with to the left or right of the main bar code, respecting light margins Barcode Print Quality Whilst it is important to position the barcode in the recommended location, it is also important to ensure that the barcode is readable first time every time. There are a number of aspects to printing the barcode to ensure that 100% readability is achieved and maintained. Ensure that: the height of the barcode is within the recommended ranges (See industry recommendations below). the magnification is within the recommended ranges. the appropriate colours are chosen when printing the barcode. the contrast of the barcode is acceptable. the light margin areas that surround the barcode are kept free from any graphics, boarders or dark colours. the barcode is kept clear from any seams or seals and that no distortion is caused by taping, shrink wrapping or excessive creasing of plastic over-wrap. the bar widths are not too wide or too narrow. Ensure that print quality is of the highest standard maintaining bar clarity and definition and ensuring that there are no print imperfections. Some in-house printing methods, particularly on-line ink jet printing require attention to the total print process and on-going maintenance. The EAN UCC specifications for printing barcodes are explicit in that if the specified procedures are followed, with routine quality control, you can produce barcodes that scan consistently. 8 Truncate is a term relating to the reduction in height of the barcode. January 2002 Australian Meat Industry Guidelines 17

26 To assist with 100% readability it is recommended that the barcodes on non-retail trade items (traded units) be verified by EAN Australia (as is currently the case with retail trade item barcodes in the grocery industry). Note: Labels generally provide the best on-going quality and contrast. Pre-printed codes can be effected by cardboard and printing consistency. Ink Jet and Dot Matrix printing methods require attention to the total print process and on-going maintenance (regular checks of print heads and ink jets, fading contrast, maintaining straight bars, etc.). Maintaining consistency of the barcode printing, from the first carton to the last, is an important issue with ink jet printing Recommended Barcode Height The Australian Meat Industry recommends the following height for barcodes. While it acknowledges that wherever possible EAN UCC specifications are to be followed, the labels used in the industry may not accommodate fully height compliant barcodes. As a minimum however the industry recommends that; # Barcodes on carcass tickets, with hand scanning be a minimum of 13 mm in height # Barcodes on carton labels, with hand scanning be 25 mm in height, but no less than 13 mm. # Barcodes on carton labels, with automatic and conveyor scanning, be a minimum of 32 mm in height Barcode Orientation EAN UCC barcodes are to be represented in a picket fence orientation. Picket Fence Ladder Form (01) (01) Australian Meat Industry Guidelines January 2002

27 4.4 Using the SSCC in the Supply Chain The use of the Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC) by all parties in the meat supply chain allows for the complete tracking of products from a logistics perspective and trace back from a regulatory perspective. Use of the SSCC as an entity identifier means that it can be used for multiple transactions on the one load by all companies across a supply chain. All companies can benefit from the implementation of one common and unique shipping container reference number. It is essential that the recipient, either the transport company, distributor or customer, of the logistic 9 unit with the SSCC attached, receives prior advice about the details of the logistics unit and the SSCC. This advice is usually communicated via Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), which is the computer to computer exchange of business messages in a standard format. There may be instances where all parties relevant to a particular shipment are not fully EDI capable and where only some EDI messages are being exchanged. Alternatively the whole supply chain may be fully EDI capable and the whole suite of shipping messages are being exchanged. Refer to the Australian Meat Industry document Supply Chain Management Model, EAN and EDI for the Meat Industry for further details Using the SSCC at Different Levels of Logistics Units Shipment Level It is possible to assign a shipment with an SSCC and within it, each individual pallet or logistics unit with a different SSCC. With the details on the shipment manifest, the link between the shipment level SSCC and the pallet level SSCC are established. The SSCCs are represented by the AI 00 and barcoded in a UCC/EAN-128 barcode. All other shipment manifest related information as required by the various trading partners may also appear on the manifest/shipment list Pallet Level 1. An EAN UCC logistics label carrying a SSCC. This is represented by AI 00 and barcoded in a UCC/EAN-128 barcode. 2. The Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) of the individual cartons on the pallet with the relevant quantity. This is represented with AI 02 and AI 37 and barcoded in a UCC/EAN-128 barcode. This can applied only when this information is required for logistical purposes for homogenous pallets. AI 02 and AI 37 are always applied as additional logistical information together with the SSCC. (See pallet label sample in Figure 4 in Section 4.6) Or A unique Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) allocated to the pallet to identify the pallet as a non-retail trade item (traded unit). This is represented by AI 01 and barcode in a UCC/EAN-128 barcode. This usually applies to a fixed configuration pallet of products and is not common in the Australian meat industry. 3. Batch number on a pallet carrying one batch only (where required). This is represented with AI 10 represented in a UCC/EAN-128 barcode. Mixed batches on a pallet cannot be identified in barcode form. 4. Maximum Durability Date or Minimum Durability Date (where required). If pallets contain mixed used by dates, it is recommended that the oldest date be chosen for bar coding purposes. This is represented with either AI 17 or AI 15 and represented in a UCC/EAN-128 barcode. 9 The term logistics unit is often used interchangeably with the word transport unit. January 2002 Australian Meat Industry Guidelines 19

28 Carton Level 1. When a single standard carton is also the logistics unit (e.g. the delivery from a supplier is made up of a single carton and when this carton is the total shipment) then it can be allocated a unique SSCC. This can be barcoded onto an EAN UCC logistics label, which is applied to the carton or onto the shipment manifest or as a separate label which is not itself applied to anything. This is represented with AI 00 and represented in a UCC/EAN-128 barcode. 2. The situation where a carton is a logistic unit is not common in the Australian meat industry, particularly at export level. Domestically the situation may arise where a generic product is produced by more than one manufacturer and is barcoded with the customer's item identification number. For unique carton identification, such circumstances may dictate the use of the SSCC. 3. If a carton of a product in a distribution warehouse is to be pooled with the same product from a number of manufacturers an SSCC may be required on each carton, usually applicable in cross-docking environment where cartons from different manufacturers are consolidated for eventual delivery to customer specified locations. All other information contained on the EAN UCC logistics label is negotiable between all trading parties. The guidelines are in no way limiting on to the information, which may be required by each party in the supply chain. As an absolute minimum all barcoded information should also be shown in human readable form. Any requirement for additional human readable information is left to the discretion of the manufacturer. In some instances, retailers may have specific requirements which would be negotiated between supplier and customer and which may involve the transport company. [Example Only: Carton Label with SSCC] 20 Australian Meat Industry Guidelines January 2002

29 4.5 Structure of the SSCC The SSCC should be handled as an 18-digit non-significant number uniquely identifying the unit to which it is attached. To ensure global uniqueness, the following general code structure has been defined. (00) Application Identifier (00) - Used in the UCC/EAN-128 barcode to prefix a Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC) 2. Extension Digit - Any number between 0-9 used to increase the capacity of the SSCC. It is assigned by the company that constructs the SSCC. 3. EAN UCC company prefix - The EAN UCC company prefix assigned to the company issuing the SSCC. For the majority of Australian meat industry participants this will usually be eight digit. Note some companies may have either a seven digit or a nine digit number. 4. Serial Reference - The serial reference comprises either the seven, eight or nine digits and uniquely identifies each logistics unit or transport package. The method used to allocate a unique number is at the discretion of the company coding the package. 5. Check digit -. The check digit mathematically ensures the validity of the number. 4.6 EAN UCC Logistics Label (Pallet, Container, Shipment, Consignment) The various trading partners involved in a distribution channel have different information needs. The information flow which accompanies the physical flow of goods is communicated between trading partners by various means. Electronic exchange of information using EDI is one way to transmit information along the supply chain. In practice, however, fully automated communication channels which make it possible to rely exclusively on electronic files for retrieving information on the movements of the goods are not always available. For this reason, there is a need to indicate relevant information on the goods themselves, in addition to their identification. The various fields of information need to be organised in a standard way in order to facilitate their interpretation and processing by all trading partners in the supply chain. The purpose of the EAN UCC logistics label is to provide information about the unit to which it is fixed, clearly and concisely. The core information on the label should be represented both in machine (barcode) and human readable form. There may be other information, which is represented in human readable form only. January 2002 Australian Meat Industry Guidelines 21

30 The EAN UCC logistics label which carries the 18-digit Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC) can be applied to a single item, or a grouping of several items made up to facilitate the operation of handling, storing and shipping. In short it can be applied to any logistics or transportable unit. This can be: A pallet A group of shrink wrapped units A tray A shipping container or logistics unit or truck load Or any other similar type of packaging created for the purpose of handling, storing or shipping. An example of the use of the SSCC is to, 1. Print the information as a label for attachment on to a logistics unit, 2. Print a hard copy for attaching onto the shipping documents and 3. Print a third copy for export documents. 4. This needs to be determined on a case by case basis. The information provided is a reference for the design of logistics labels. This application is supported and complimented by EAN UCC Application Identifiers and the UCC/EAN-128 barcode. These are important components of the logistics label and apply to all of the specifications relating to the logistics label. The structure and layout for logistics labels is explained, however, emphasis is given to the basic requirements for practical application in an open trade environment. The major areas include: the unambiguous identification of logistics units the efficient presentation of text and machine readable data (barcodes) the information requirements of key partners in the supply chain suppliers, customers and carriers technical parameters to ensure systematic and stable interpretation of the labels. This is applicable to any type of logistic unit marked with a Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC), which is used in logistic and transport applications where there is a need to track and trace individual units or a grouping of units being a part of the same transport transaction Components of the EAN UCC Logistics Label Information represented on EAN/UCC logistics labels has two basic forms: # Information required to be utilised by people usually comprising of text and graphics, e.g. to and from addresses # Barcodes (machine readable form) a secure and efficient method of conveying structured data The human readable text allows general access to basic information at any point in the supply chain. However, both methods of information representation provide value to the EAN/UCC logistics label and often co-exist on the same label. Barcode Structures The standard barcode adopted for use on the logistics label is the UCC/EAN-128 barcode. 22 Australian Meat Industry Guidelines January 2002