Glossary — Letter E

EAN code / EAN symbol / Element / Even Parity Character / Extended Version

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EAN code

European Article Number. A common product code established by the European countries in 1977, based on the popularity and success of UPC, and later adopted throughout the world.
JAN in Japan is one of the codes derived from EAN.
UPC consists of 12 digits, including 1 digit for the NS. EAN consists of 13 digits, with an extra 1-digit prefix, including 2 (or 3) digits for the flag.

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EAN symbol

The EAN symbol barcode consists of 13 digits:

• 2 (or 3) digits for the flag code assigned by the International EAN Association,
• 5 (or 4) digits for the maker code,
• 5 digits for the item code,
• 1 digit for the checkdigit.

JAN symbol is a variation of it.

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Element

Each of the black/white bars in a multi-level barcode. (See module)

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Even Parity Character

A character in an EAN symbol whose sum of black bar modules is even (not odd). (See Odd Parity, flag)

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Extended Version

One of the types of Standard Symbology for Physical Distribution, which has a 2-digit (actually, to make the length even, a dummy zero is affixed before it, so it appears as 3 digits) identification code for PD, in order to conform to the unique circumstances of physical distribution in Japan.
Used only domestically in Japan. (See Standard Version)