International Article Number

International Article Number, also known as the European Article Number (EAN), is a global standard that defines a barcode format and a unique numbering system used in retail and trade. It helps identify specific types of retail products based on their packaging and manufacturer, making it easier to track and manage products in international trade.

Originally developed to simplify product identification in stores, the EAN system has been integrated into the broader Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) standard. While GTIN can be expressed with any barcode format, the EAN barcode format remains the most widely recognized one used in inventory control, wholesale transactions, and accounting processes.

The most widely used version is EAN-13, an extension of the earlier 12-digit Universal Product Code (UPC-A) with an optional numeric prefix indicating the country of registration. Where space is limited, the shorter EAN-8 format can be used. EAN-2 and EAN-5 can be used to append supplemental information, such as periodical issue numbers and food-item prices.

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