Unauthorised barcodes seller offers unusable codes

According to GS1 South Africa, the local custodian of barcodes, the 11-digit barcode numbers with prefixes of 600 or 604 belong to GS1. The prefix 600 and 601 belong to GS1 South Africa and the 604 prefix to GS1 Senegal.

According to GS1 South Africa executive Jacolien Richards, "No barcode scanners in the FMCG supply chain globally can read this 11-digit structure."

A supplier who buys this number and applies it to its packaging and labels, will find the barcode symbol cannot be scanned through the Point of Sale at a retail or wholesale location. "This means that the cost of re-barcoding all the products reverts back to the entire supply chain and ultimately could be carried by the consumer."

On stretching, the company adds that a barcode symbol has extensive technical standards and any manipulation of the symbol, which is out of proportion, will result in a no scan. "If the supplier is an exporter, the impact will be far worse with the distribution costs being doubled, because of the reverse logistics for returned stock that does not scan. This is compounded if the product is fresh produce, which will result in the loss of the entire order."

If prospective clients are in any doubt about the veracity of the barcode, GS1 South Africa issues a certificate to all members. The certificate carries the Global Location Number (GLN) for the organisation. This GLN is registered in a global registry where anyone can access the GLN owners contact details. "If any doubt, prospective clients should contact our offices immediately," concludes Richards.