4.2. EAN-13, JAN

An EAN-13 barcode is a 13 digit (12 + check digit) barcoding standard which is a superset of the original 12-digit UPC (Universal Product Code) system developed in the United States.

The EAN-13 barcode is defined by the standards organisation GS1.

The EAN-13 barcodes are used worldwide for marking products often sold at retail point of sale.

The numbers encoded in EAN-13 bar codes are product identification numbers, which are also called Japanese Article Number (JAN) in Japan.