Barcode Registration in India

Barcodes are machine-readable symbols in the form of numbers and parallel lines used universally to identify and track products. Barcodes play a key role in supply chains, enabling retailers, manufacturers, and transport providers to easily identify and track products as they move through the supply chain. In this article, we look at the procedure for getting barcode registration in India.

Barcode in India

GS1 is a not-for-profit, global entity that manages and standardizes bar codes across India. GS1 sets standards and manages the barcode standard used by retailers, manufacturers and suppliers. Approximately two million companies across 20 industries such as Retail & Consumer Packaged Goods, Food, Healthcare, Transport & Logistics (including Customs), Government etc. worldwide are using the GS1 System of standards. Therefore, GS1 is the organization that controls the issuance of barcode that can be scanned anywhere in the world.

In India, GS1 India was established in the year 1996 as a not-for-profit organization by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India along with leading Chambers of Commerce and Industry. As an affiliate of GS1 Global, GS1 India administers and allocates GS1 barcodes in India.

Types of Barcode

The different application requires different barcodes with the capability to hold different data. Therefore, to diverse requirements, GS1 sets standards for use with different types of barcode symbols. GS1 barcodes can be categorized into the following categories:

• GS1 EAN/UPC Family Barcodes
  

GS1 EAN/UPC Family of barcodes are instantly-recognizable barcodes that are printed on virtually every consumer product in the world. They are the longest-established and most widely-used of all GS1 barcodes.

• GS1 DataBar Family Barcodes
  

DataBar barcodes are often used to label fresh foods. These barcodes can hold information like an item’s batch number or expiry date, in addition to other attributes used at the point-of-sale such the item weight.

• GS1 1D Barcodes
  

GS1-128 and ITF-14 are highly versatile 1D barcodes that enable items to track through global supply chains. The GS1-128 barcode can carry any of the GS1 ID keys, plus information like serial numbers, expiration dates and more. The ITF-14 barcode can only hold the Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) and is suitable for printing on corrugated materials.

• GS1 2D Barcodes
  

Two-dimensional (2D) barcodes look like squares or rectangles that contain many small, individual dots. A single 2D barcode can hold a significant amount of information and may remain legible even when printed at a small size or etched onto a product. A wide range of industries2D barcodes, from manufacturing and warehousing to logistics and healthcare.

 Pricing for Barcode in India

The pricing for barcode registration in India varies on the basis of the number of barcodes, the annual turnover of the company and the number of years barcode subscription. The following chart illustrates the cost for a company having an annual turnover of fewer than Rs.10 crores wishing to obtain 1-100 GS1 barcodes.

Registration fee: This is dependent on the product numbering capacity desired. This is determined by taking into consideration the total number of SKUs/product variants/product types that are currently available, and also what is likely to be added in the next few years.

Subscription fee: Subscribers are expected to remit the subscription renewal fee on or before the expiry of the subscription validity period as specified at the time of initial registration or at the time of subsequent renewal of the same.

Security deposit: Interest-free, the refundable security deposit is payable once on registration where it refunds the amount after cancellation/ termination of subscription by GS1 India.

Registered MSME businesses in India can enjoy a subsidy of up to 75% of the cost of obtaining barcode in India.

Process for obtaining Barcode in India

In India, it is easy to obtain Barcode by submitting the following documents along with a requisite fee to GS1 India for allocation of GS1 Company Prefix has been used for barcoding of products. Submit the below following documents:

• GS1 India registration form duly filled and signed along with the “product classification sheet” duly encircling/highlighting the product categories being manufactured/supplied.
  
• Request letter/forwarding letter on letterhead for allocation of GS1 company prefix number.
  
• Copy of balance sheet (relevant page in support of sales turnover) as on 31st March 2015 or latest.
  
• PAN card copy of Proprietor – in case of Proprietorship firm or PAN card copy of the applicant company in other cases.
  
• Proof of status of Applicant Company
  

Documents required for the Barcode registration

Documents requirements may vary state to state in case of shop establishment certificate as every state has a different registration procedure. Following are the documents:

1. PAN Card of the company/ PAN Card of the proprietor for a proprietorship firm
   
2. One copy of the Audited Balance Sheet
   
3. Company letterhead revealing a request for barcode allotment
   
4. Any proof about the status of the applicant company such as:
   

• GST registration certificate for Proprietorship firms
  
• GST registration certificate or partnership deed for Partnership firms
  
• GST registration certificate and ROC certificate or MOA (Memorandum of Association) for Private/public Ltd. company
  
• GST registration certificate or Registrar of Society (ROS) certificate for other entities such as HUF, Registered Society etc.
  
• A copy of canceled cheque of the company.
  

Business Benefits of Barcode

The motive behind the innovation and development of barcodes was to improve the speed of sales transactions. But besides this only reason, there are several other benefits also that businesses are availing. These includes:

Eliminate Human Error: With the introduction of barcodes, the possibility of human error came down to negligible. The chances of error by manual entering of data is significantly higher than that of barcodes. Whereas, mere barcode scan is enough to save time as it is fast and more reliable.

Reduce training time: With the help of barcode registration system, a business can easily reduce its time of employee training. It takes just a minute to master the hand-held scanner for reading barcodes. Moreover, employees are not having gain familiarity with an entire inventory or pricing procedure. It is not only confined to time-saving but it makes the training procedure less expensive.

Inexpensive design and printing: Basically, they cost very less regardless of their purpose or where they will be affixed. You can customize it economically in a variety of finishes and materials.

Versatile in nature: Barcodes can be used for any kind of necessary data collection. It can include either pricing or inventory information. Furthermore, it can be attached to just about any surface and they can be used to track not only the products themselves.

Improves Inventory control: As barcodes made it possible to track inventory so precisely, inventory levels can be reduced. This usually translates into a lower overhead. Besides, you can also track the location of equipment and reduce the time of searching.

Provides better Data: As soon as the barcode is ready to be used for inventory and pricing information, you can obtain the data more quickly. However, you can also customize it to contain other relevant information according to the requirement. Its data is generally more fast and reliable for a wide variety of applications.

Rapid Data availability: As the information is scanned directly into the central computer, it is instantaneously ready. This ensures that even minutes will not be wasted on data entry or retrieval.

Promotes better decision making: It is possible to make more informed decisions as it obtains rapid and accurate information. So, the better decision making basically saves the time as well as money.

FAQs

Q. Why do I require Barcode for my products?

In the current scenario, almost all retailers rely upon the barcodes to manage pricing, a sales figure, stock, ordering, and inventory. It is a common requirement for most of the retailers. To create a widest possible market for your product as well as an audience, it is strongly recommended you to obtain a unique barcode to assign your products.

Q. What amount of barcodes should I get?

Every unique item that you intend to sell requires a EAN/UPC number. Each product variations need unique barcodes per variation to satisfy the requirements of global retailers. For example, you intend to sell a clothing item in a few different color schemes and sizes a separate unique barcode number is required for every different variation.

Q. How does this barcoding work?

At the time of supply of new products to the retailers and stores, you are required to fill out your product’s information on a form which will link your products and business information to your assigned barcode. Then, the retailer then enters your product item and business information manually on their sales software inventory thus allowing your products to scan at the POS.

Q. Do barcode store information?

No, the barcode is simply a guaranteed unique identifier which is linked to your products and recorded into a retailer’s inventory.

Q. Can a barcode be expired once I get it?

Never, the codes are yours permanently after you have purchased a barcode.

For more information on this visit www.taxaj.com

Posted by Pooja

Team Taxaj