Barcode Verification Systems

Verification is the measurement of the quality of a 1D barcode or 2D symbol according to an agreed-upon quality standard.des offers an array of barcode verification services to relieve you from the cost, time and learning associated with barcode verification. We also sell and support the most state of the art verification devices from Microscan/Omron.

Bar Codes Unlimited, Inc.'s verification services are reliable verification to application standards such as GS1, HIBC, USPS, and ISO/IEC 15415/15416.

At Bar Codes Unlimited, Inc. offers and includes:

GS1 US and 21 CFR Part 11 compliant reports
Verifies to over 20 global application standards and over 30 symbology types
Enables U.S. FDA UDI (Unique Device Identification) compliance for Medical Device Manufacturers and Labelers
Provides comprehensive and user-friendly barcode defect analysis to help guide corrections

What is the difference between barcode reading and verification?

Barcode reading recognizes a barcode symbology (the type of barcode; i.e., UPC, QR Code, Code 128, etc.), analyzes the content of the code (extracts encoded data), and transmits the data to a computer or other external equipment. Reading a code is not the same as verifying that a barcode is accurate and high-quality - although some people buy readers for the purpose of performing barcode health checks, assuming, "If it reads, then I have a good code." This is false! The fact that a barcode reader is able to extract data from a code gives no indication of the code's print quality over time or across different barcode reading equipment. For instance, one person may use a barcode reader with advanced decode algorithms that is able to reliably extract data from a damaged code. However, this same code may not be readable to another vendor using different equipment.

Verification systems measure the quality of a 1D barcode or 2D symbol by comparing what the verifier sees to the physical characteristics of an ideal, high-quality code. This comparison is made using agreed-upon barcode quality parameters (regarding a code's expected shape, skew, contrast, element size, and more). These parameters are regulated by barcode quality standards organizations (like ISO), and are intended to make sure that the barcode will be able to be read on the first attempt every time, regardless of what reader is used. Verification systems ensure long-term readability and alert users of specific defects in your code so that the necessary adjustments can be made.

The three important things to check when verifying barcodes are:

Print quality
Decodability
Structure

Who needs barcode verification?

There are four main groups of organizations who will require barcode verification.

Companies or organizations whose products will flow into the retail channel are all potentially subject to significant chargebacks if their barcodes do not grade out to a minimum requirement. Many of the large retailers require suppliers to provide verification reports of their UPC and shipping container codes.
Suppliers to major manufacturers (such as the auto industry) are required to verify the barcodes they supply with their shipments. Non-compliance to the manufacturer's standards can result in chargebacks to the supplier.
Medical Device manufacturer's are now required by the FDA to provide verification reports on all medical device UDI barcodes. Strict standards have been set in place by the FDA for compliance and penalties for non-compliance.
Suppliers to the DOD (Department of Defense) must conform to strict MIL-STD-130 barcode procedures. The DOD mandates all equipment and supplies be marked with IUID nameplates.

Should I invest in barcode verification or outsource my verification needs?

The decision to invest in barcode verification equipment will depend on many factors. How often you need to verify a code, whether you are verifying 1D or 2D codes, whether you will need ongoing verification or if it's a relative infrequent need.

Bar Codes Unlimited, Inc. verification service can many times eliminate a significant investment in testing equipment. Contact a barcode expert at Bar Codes Unlimited, Inc. and we can consult with you to find the best option.