Variable weight items

For encoding variable weight items,  a distinction is made between consumer units that are scanned at the checkout and secondary packaging that does not pass through the checkout. 

4 ways of encoding consumer units

Consumer units of variable weight can be encoded in the following ways: 

1) GS1 DataMatrix with GTIN

What information do you encode in a GS1 DataMatrix for variable weight items? 

• A GTIN-13, preceded by a meaningless 0; this is mandatory 

• The net weight; this is mandatory 

• Additional information such as lot number or expiry date; this is optional.

A GS1 DataMatrix is a 2-dimensional (2D) barcode. It can only be scanned with image-based scanners. Several retailers in Belgium have already adapted their point-of-sale scanning systems or will do so soon. Discuss with your chain partners whether 2D barcodes are already supported in your chain. 

2) GS1 DataBar Expanded (Stacked) with GTIN

What information do you encode in a GS1 DataBar Expanded (Stacked) for variable weight items? 

• A GTIN-13, preceded by a meaningless 0; this is mandatory 
• The net weight; this is mandatory 
• Additional information such as lot number or expiry date; this is optional 

3) EAN-13 barcode with an internal number

Is the item weighed or packaged by the retailer? In that case, the retailer creates an internal number for the product themselves. This internal number is encoded in an EAN-13 barcode. 

4) EAN-13 barcode with a national number

Is the item: 

• weighed or packaged by the supplier 
• and sold on the Belgian-Luxembourgish market? 

Then the supplier can request a national number from GS1 Belgium & Luxembourg. This national number is then encoded in an EAN-13 barcode. 

What about secondary packaging? 

Secondary packaging of variable weight items which are not scanned at the checkout are labelled with a GS1-128-barcode. 

What information do you encode in the GS1-128 barcode? 

• A GTIN-14 with a 9 as the first digit; this is mandatory 

• The net weight; this is mandatory 

• Additional information, such as the lot number; this is optional 

If various layers of secondary packaging are provided for a commercial unit of variable weight, each of these layers of secondary packaging must have a unique GTIN-14 that starts with a 9.