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GS1 NZ Bar Code Verification

Scan first time, every time

Bar code verification checks your GS1 Bar codes are correctly created and printed such that any scanner will be able to read them first time, every time. Some retailers, including major operators in the supermarket, hardware and office product sectors, will only accept products from suppliers who have had the relevant bar codes verified by GS1. All Full Members of GS1 New Zealand get 10 free verifications per year (worth $750+GST).

Quality control

If a bar code does not scan, data inaccuracy and time delay can enter the supply chain.  Verification is an important quality control tool, helping ensure that your bar codes scan with accuracy and speed at each point in the supply chain and that trading relationships are well supported

Verification will confirm whether a bar code is fully compliant with GS1 standards. You receive a written report on the results of a verification test, identifying any inadequacies in the bar code and any potential problems with it.

Please click on the links listed below for more information on Bar Code Verification:

What is Bar Code Verification?

A bar code's primary function is that of carrying data from the point at which it is originated to the point at which the data has to be captured. So the bar code is a vital link in the data communication chain of any application. If it fails, the chain breaks. A bar code which does not scan often causes more problems to trading partners than no symbol at all. Verification of bar codes is, therefore, a useful tool to add to quality control procedures in order to ensure that the bar codes will scan correctly throughout the supply chain. Verification aims to check that the symbol is able to fulfil its function, by performing two principal tasks:

  • enabling the symbol producer to measure their output and to apply feedback in order
    to control their process
  • predicting the scanning performance likely to be achieved by a symbol.


Verification is relevant to all levels of packaging including retail units, packaging inners or display cartons, shippers, and pallets if GS1 labels are used on the pallet.

Verification will determine the bar code's level of compliance with the GS1 specifications. A written report will be issued detailing the results obtained from the verification testing. This report will highlight any inadequacies in the bar code and potential problem areas.

What is a verifier? How does it differ from a scanner?

A verifier is a precision measuring instrument designed to provide consistent and repeatable measurements of a symbol and to analyse these measurements in relation to the likely scanning performance of the symbol under a range of conditions. It has to be calibrated before use and be controlled regularly to maximise the repeatability and consistency of its measurements.


A bar code scanner simply decodes the pattern of bars and spaces into the data encoded in the symbol. It does not measure any of the parameters that affect how a bar code can be decoded.

Why not just use a scanner to check readability?

No two bar code readers are the same. The optical arrangements available for scanners vary widely, ranging from light pens or wands to CCD scanners and hand-held or omnidirectional laser scanners, and from manually-operated to automatic, unattended devices. Inevitably, these show quite noticeable differences in their scanning performance. Also, in order to maximise their performance, manufacturers of bar code readers build all kinds of clever features into their decode algorithms to help the equipment decode even poor quality symbols reliably and as rapidly as possible. However, not all of these work in the same way and two different readers might well have different degrees of success with the same symbol.


So test scanning a symbol with, for example, a wand reader will not give any reliable indication of whether it would read with a laser scanner, nor even that any other wand reader could read it successfully. Nor does it help you understand whether the symbol deviates from perfect and if so what is wrong with it. At best, it can be used as a "go/no-go" test of whether a symbol can be read by that scanner (only), and to check the data content; it is risky to extrapolate any wider conclusions. But a verifier bases its assessment on the use of a standardised reference decode algorithm specified as part of the symbology specification, and on calibration of its optical response. Both of these enable consistent and objective quality assessments to be made irrespective of what type of scanner will be used in the application.

Who needs to use verification?

Anyone who is handling bar codes and who has an interest in their performance has a potential need for verification. The main classes of user are:

  • the printer of the symbols (this might be a packaging manufacturer, or the product
    manufacturer if he uses an on-demand printing system), for quality assurance and
    process control purposes;
  • the person on whose product or item the bar code is being applied (the brand owner), for assurance that your customers will accept the symbols;
  • the person receiving the bar coded item, for assurance that the symbols will work
    satisfactorily in your operation;
  • persons handling the goods at intermediate stages of the supply chain, who may wish to assure themselves of the symbol quality for similar reasons.

It is the responsibility of the ‘originator’ of the bar code (usually the brand owner of the product being bar coded) to ensure that it meets the quality requirements of the entire supply chain.

Benefits

The biggest benefits of verification are, simply, reassurance and confidence that the bar code will perform as intended at all stages of the product's passage down the supply chain, leading to untroubled supplier-customer relationships. Additional benefits accrue to the symbol producer, who is able to make use of the measurement information on the symbols he is producing to monitor your production process and adjust your equipment or procedures in order to correct any deviations from your optimum quality. Package designers can use feedback from verification to make sure that symbol size, position and colour will not result in point-of-use difficulties.


The receiver of bar coded products, too, reaps advantage from verification of incoming bar codes, to assess the likelihood of their causing him scanning problems in your handling and inventory control systems, or at the point of use.

 

How to get your Bar Codes Verified

Members of GS1 New Zealand can use the online application facility for verification reports.  Please use the link below and follow the on screen instructions (Please note - your product samples still need to be sent to GS1 New Zealand's Wellington office). Members GS1 Bar Code Verification Report Application

Non-Members should download the GS1 Bar Code Verification Application Form, print it, fill it out, and send it, together with samples, packaging, shipping cartons, and/or labels to the head office of GS1 New Zealand, situated in Wellington.

Please note, a physical copy of the verification application form should accompany physical samples, while a verification application form should be 'attached' to any artwork being sent electronically.

If physical samples are being verified they should, along with the application form, be couriered to:

GS1 New Zealand Inc.
Verification Service
Level 2, The Woolstore Design Centre
262 Thorndon Quay
Wellington

or posted to:

GS1 New Zealand Inc.
Verification Service
P O Box 11-110
Wellington

We recommend that samples be sent by courier, as regular post may take up to one week to arrive at GS1 New Zealand.

Note: The verification service is only available at GS1's head office situated in Wellington.

If samples (artwork) are being sent electronically they should, along with the application form, be emailed to verify@gs1nz.org

Ideally, samples should be in their final form, which allows for more extensive testing in terms of colour, contrast, location, etc. Note that reports of tests done on loose labels or unfilled packaging may not be reliable since applying labels or filling packages can sometimes affect the scanning performance of a bar code due to the shape of the unit or the effects of filling-colour showing through, package bulging, etc. If a report is thought to be unreliable because of the above situation the report may be labelled an ' Interim ' verification report. Retail units that are curved, bottles, cylinders, etc. should be submitted with attached and loose labels where possible. Please note, trade units, cartons, inners, etc. can be sent flat to enable ease of postage.

Quality may vary between print runs so it is recommended that you have your bar codes verified on a regular basis. We recommend that you send your bar codes in for verification every time you do a new print run.

 

Want to know more about Bar code Verification

Please join us in an online tutorial. for more information please click here

Alternatively, please call 04-494-1050 or email verify@gs1nz.org.