Retailers use barcodes to track merchandise electronically and on paper. The codes are registered to the retailer and sales made can be quickly and easily tracked back to the registered party. These barcodes represent a series of numbers that can quickly identify the product and where it came from, and are scanned using laser scanners made for inventory purposes.
What are UPCs?
Universal product codes (UPCs) are the series of numbers represented by barcodes registered within the US and Canada. You can purchase barcodes to streamline product tracking and inventory. The UPCs consist of 12 digits and can be scanned at registers so product purchases can be credited to retailers instantaneously. When you are marketing a product through a retailer, you can easily track sales volume and stock shortages through scanned barcodes and UPC codes . This gives you a convenient and simple link to your product as it is sold through retailers.
What are EANs?
Outside of the US and Canada barcodes represent a 13-digit series of numbers, originally called European article numbers, which are now known as international article numbers. The extra digit usually represents the country in which the code is registered. This does not mean that the product was made in the country where the barcode is registered, but allows for you to track the product if you are outside the US or Canada. One important difference to note is that UPCs are generally accepted where EANs are accepted; however, you may need a UPC for retailers within the US and Canada even if you already have purchased an EAN.
When you buy a barcode it is important to know whether the retailer you are selling through uses UPCs or EANs and whether the two types are interchangeable with that retailer. Basically the two codes serve the same functions, but their differences are important to note.