gs1-healthcare
GS1-128 (formerly UCC/EAN-128) (GS1-128)
Application standard of Code 128 encoding structured GS1 data for shipping containers, master cartons, and pallet SSCC tracking.
Governing Specification: ISO/IEC 15417 / GS1 General Specifications Section 5.4
Data Format & Required Fields
Code 128 utilizing FNC1 character immediately following the start character. Encodes standard Application Identifiers.
Allowed Character SetGS1 Application Identifiers with numeric and alphanumeric case identifiers.
Payload Length Rule Between 6 and 48 characters
Required GS1 Structure Encodes standardized GS1 Application Identifiers (AIs). Unit-level and master packaging require primary identification (e.g. GTIN-14 or SSCC-18) combined with variable batch and serialization attributes for supply chain verification.
Check Digit / Checksum Rule Requires a verified modulo-10 check digit to prevent scanner misreads and data transposition errors.
Example Valid Format
(00)103000123456789010Industry Guidance & Practical Applications
- GS1 Logistic Label Serial Shipping Container Codes (SSCC-18)
- Wholesale pharmaceutical case-level DSCSA aggregation labels
- Indian consumer goods outer carton batch and manufacturing date labeling
- Cold-chain transport monitoring labels
Packaging & Scanning Notes: Widely used on corrugated master cases in wholesale distribution centers.
Symbol Constraints & Label Guidelines
- Maximum physical symbol length is 165 mm (including quiet zones) per GS1 specifications.
- Data length cannot exceed 48 alphanumeric characters (excluding start/stop/fnc1).