RMSCC Supply Chain Information Standard

Standard: Pallet Labels - Domestic multiple products (barcodes)
Status: RELEASED
Issue date:
Endorsement:
Purpose:

The purpose of the Pallet Label information standards is to define a consistent supply chain approach to the numbers and barcodes applied to pallets for ease of barcode scanning and data interoperability along the meat supply chain.

The overall objective is to ensure that each participant along the meat supply chain can easily extract the trade information about pallets containing meat products.

The Pallet Label Information standards are split into a series of information standards to handle differences in pallets that have single or multiple products and pallets sent domestically or exported.

Each pallet is barcoded following the GS1 standards to ensure that they are identified with a globally unique ID number, providing the basis for traceability along the whole supply chain. For more information on the GS1 standards go to: gs1.org
Scope:

Pallets can hold either single or multiple products and can be sent domestically or exported. In each case, the information that facilitates these transfers will require different needs.

In response to those needs, the Pallet Label information standards are split into four sections.

This information standard covers the data codification methods for barcode labels on non-retail pallets holding multiple products that are transported domestically.

The term "domestic" refers to B2B transactions that do not traverse a country border and therefore are not exposed to export and import government verification activities.

The term "multiple products" refers to many products or trade items of different types.

Products refers to meat and meat products sold by weight.
References:

This information standard is based on the GS1-128 Barcode Symbol, along with GS1 Application Identifiers.

GS1 Application Identifiers covered in this standard include:

  • AI (00) - Serial Shipping Container Code
  • AI (13) - Packing Date
  • AI (37) - Count of trade items or trade item pieces contained in a logistic unit
  • AI (3101) - Net weight, kilograms (variable measure trade item)

The AI (310n) is used as it captures net weight of variable weight products, which allows the weight to be allocated to an instance of a sold product.

See AUS-MEAT trade descriptions for further information on meat sold by weight, and which products it may apply to.
Details:

Allocating a Serial Shipping Container Code

The Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC) is a unique, non-significant, eighteen-digit number, which is assigned by the company constructing the logistic unit. It remains the same for the life of the logistic unit.
The SSCC is encoded in a GS1-128 Barcode Symbol, and is identified by the Application Identifier (00).

When assigning an SSCC, an individual SSCC number must not be reallocated within one year of the shipment date from the SSCC assignor to a trading partner.

Pallet label - Domestic multiple products

Example Data & Format Attribute Information
(310n) 011294 Net Weight - Kilograms n6 - 6 digits numeric (fixed length)
The fourth digit (n) indicates the number of decimal places.
In this example as n = 1, start at the very right of the measurement data field and count to the left 1 place. The net weight is 1129.4 kg.
(n indicates that the position of the decimal point is n places to the left of the end of the number e.g. 3101)
NB: Weight information is mandatory if the item is a variable weight trade item.
(13) 130704 Packaging Date (YYMMDD) n6 - 6 digits numeric (fixed length)
In this example the packaging date is 4th July 2013.
(37) 42 Count of trade items .. n8 – up to 8 digits numeric (variable length)
The count of items field contains the number of trade items or number of trade item pieces contained in the respective logistic unit.
Example Data & Format Attribute Information
(00) The Application Identifier (AI) identifies the number that follows as an SSCC.
9 The Extension Digit Any number between 0-9 is used to increase the capacity of the Serial Reference within the SSCC. It is assigned by the company that constructs the SSCC.
9333017 The GS1 Company Prefix, either nine, eight or seven digits in length, should belong to the company originating the logistic unit, which is not always the brand owner. It makes the SSCC unique worldwide, but does not identify the origin of the unit.
001000875 The Serial Reference, either seven, eight or nine digits in length, is structured at the discretion of the company responsible for its assignment to uniquely identify each transport package. The method used to allocate the Serial Reference is at the discretion of the company barcoding the unit.
4 The Check Digit is mathematically calculated and ensures the whole number is correct. Correct calculation is essential for successful scanning of the barcode symbol.

Labelling the Logistic Unit

The organisation responsible for the printing and application of the label determines the content format and the dimensions of the label. However, the SSCC is the minimum requirement in the logistics label. Any other information over and above the SSCC should comply with the specification of this section and with the proper use of AIs.

Label Layout
For each label applied to the logistic unit, the top section contains free format information, the middle section contains text information and the Human Readable Interpretation of the barcode symbol(s), and the lowest section contains the barcode symbols. In all cases the SSCC is placed in the lowest portion of the label.

Barcode Symbol Specifications

The GS1-128 (previously UCC/EAN-128) Barcode Symbol is used for GS1 Logistics Labels.

Magnification

The magnification range for the GS1-128 Barcode Symbol containing the SSCC is 48.7% to 92.5%.

The magnification range for barcode symbols on the logistics label that do not contain the SSCC is 25% - 100%. However, if a magnification factor of less than 48.7% is used it is likely that the reading distance will be reduced.

For all symbols selecting a magnification factor at the higher end of the permissible range will always enhance the scanning reliability.
Height of Bars The minimum bar height for the GS1-128 Barcode Symbol containing the SSCC is 32mm. For other barcode symbols on the logistics label a minimum height of 27mm is acceptable based on historic specifications, but a migration to 32mm should be made.
Human Readable Interpretation To facilitate key entry, Application Identifiers should be set apart from the data by the use of brackets. The brackets are strictly for the Human Readable Interpretation and must not be encoded in the barcode symbol.
Label Location Whilst the absolute minimum requirement for logistic units is one logistics label, for efficiency of scanning it is strongly recommended that at least two sides of the item be barcoded with the same data.
Comments and Feedback:

Comments and feedback about this standard are sort from industry. This includes any requests for any enhancements or changes. Any submitted comments, feedback or change requests are reviewed by the Work Group following the RMSCC Core Principles and the RMSCC Standards Development model. To submit comments, feedback or change requests click on this link: RMSCC Feedback and Change Requests.
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