EAN vs UPC Barcodes: Key Differences and Best Practices for SMBs

Key takeaways

• The difference between EAN vs UPC barcodes is their length and where in the world businesses use them. 
• Businesses in Europe, Asia, and other parts of the world use the 13-digit EAN barcode. They include a manufacturer code, product code, check digit, and country code. 
• Businesses in North America use the 12-digit UPC barcode. They have a manufacturer code, product code, and check digit but do not have a country code.
• EANs were adapted from UPCs to accommodate international markets.
• Both barcodes are part of GS1’s global standards. This means you can use either format depending on where you do business.
• When you purchase barcodes from GS1, you’re actually buying a GTIN (Global Trade Item Number), which you can encode as either an EAN or a UPC based on your business needs.
• Choosing between EAN and UPC depends on your market: use EANs for EU and global markets, UPCs for North America, and consider both if you’re selling worldwide.

In the early 1970s, history was made when the first item marked with a barcode was scanned in a supermarket. Since then, barcodes have become an integral part of the global supply chain and the heart of modern inventory management. Two of the most widely used barcodes are EAN (European Article Number) and UPC (Universal Product Code), and for businesses operating in the EU, it’s essential to understand the difference.

In this article, we’re going to break down the differences between EAN vs UPC barcodes. We’ll start by exploring their origins and then provide valuable insights on how to implement them. So, if you’re a small-to-medium-sized business in the EU or are considering expanding into global markets, this guide is here to help!

What are barcode symbologies?

Barcodes come in many shapes and sizes. We call these different types of barcodes symbologies. Symbologies are systems that encode data into visual patterns for scanning devices to read. 

Each barcode symbology has unique characteristics, such as the number of digits, supported characters, layout, and so on. EAN and UPC are the two most common barcode symbologies. For the sake of this article, we’re going to focus on those two specific types: EAN vs UPC. 

A brief history of UPC and EAN barcodes

The Universal Product Code (UPC) was the first barcode to be scanned back in 1974 in the United States. It would begin a new era of not only customer checkout but also inventory management as a whole. However, as time went on and global trade began to expand, it became apparent that an international barcode standard was needed.

So, in the late 70s, the European Article Number (EAN) was introduced, specifically designed to accommodate European markets. Over time, EAN evolved to meet global standards, and today, it’s known as EAN-13. 

GS1, a non-profit responsible for barcode standardization worldwide, manages both UPC and EAN barcodes.

What is an EAN barcode?

An EAN barcode also called an EAN code or EAN number, is a 13-digit barcode (hence the name EAN-13). Although “European” is in the name, it’s not exclusively used in Europe. In fact, EANs are standard across Europe, Asia, and most other international markets outside of North America. For this reason, EANs are also often referred to as international article numbers. 

What is a UPC barcode?

The Universal Product Code (UPC) is a 12-digit barcode standard in North America. It includes the same information as an EAN, including the manufacturer’s code, product code, and a check digit for error detection. However, it doesn’t have the thirteenth digit, which represents the country of origin. 

EAN vs UPC: what’s the difference?

The only real difference between EAN vs UPC is the length of characters in the barcode. That’s really it. They’re both linear barcodes that provide nearly identical functionality. The region you use for each barcode is what sets them apart.

GS1 uses both UPC and EAN barcode symbologies to encode Global Trade Item Numbers (GTINs). When you purchase barcodes from GS1, you’re actually buying the GTIN, not the barcode. You have the choice to encode your GTIN in either a UPC or an EAN, depending on where you’re located.

Here is an example to help illustrate. Let’s say I want to relay a message to someone. I could write out an email, or I could write a private message. The message I’m sending is exactly the same, but how I’m sending that message is different. That’s how barcode symbologies work!

When to use EAN vs UPC barcodes

Whether you need an EAN or UPC will depend on where you’re doing business. For example, if you’re business operates out of the EU but you export goods to the US, you may need a UPC. If you operate entirely in the EU or anywhere outside of North America, you might need an EAN. If you’re doing business all over the world you may even need both.  

Luckily, so long as you’re working with official GS1 barcodes, EAN and UPC are effectively interchangeable. This is because of a 2005 initiative by GS1 called GTIN Sunrise 2005, which successfully made EANs readable in relevant areas.

How to implement UPCs or EANs?

Now that you know the difference between EAN vs UPC, you’re probably looking to set up your own. The most important thing is that you get official barcodes straight from GS1.  

You can create and use custom barcodes, but those should only be for in-house use. Obtaining a UPC or EAN is pretty straightforward. Here’s what the process looks like:

1. Go to your local GS1 website (ex. GS1 US, GS1 UK, etc.).
2. Select whether you would like to purchase a “Company Prefix” or a single GTIN.
3. Decide whether you want a UPC, EAN or both.
4. Once you have made the purchase GS1 assigns you a unique GTIN.
5. In your GS1 account, assign the GTIN to a specific product with details like product name, size, and description.
6. After assignment, your product officially has a GTIN, which you’ll use to generate the barcode.
7. If your GTIN is 12 digits, it’s ready for UPC barcode generation.
8. If your GTIN is 13 digits, it’s ready for EAN barcode generation.
9. To convert your UPC to an EAN, add the leading zero, for example: 012345678901 → 0012345678901.
10. To convert your EAN to a UPC, remove the leading zero, for example: 0012345678901 → 012345678901.
11. Use the tools provided in your GS1 account to generate high-resolution barcodes for printing. 

Note* If your EAN doesn’t have a leading zero you will need to register a separate GTIN if you need a UPC for that product. For this reason, it’s a good idea to think about your company’s future needs before registering for your GTIN.

Inventory barcode software to make sense of it all 

For any business in the EU, understanding the differences between EAN vs UPC barcodes is essential to ensure compliance with regional standards. But that’s just one piece of the puzzle. Once you have your barcodes, you’ll need a way to utilize them. This is where our barcode inventory software inFlow can make all the difference.

inFlow is inventory management software with a built-in barcode system. Our software simplifies inventory management, making it easy to assign, track, and manage both EAN and UPC barcodes.

So no matter where in the world you’re located, inFlow can help you along your barcoding journey.