Information Disclosure
Chain Packing
24
2023
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05
[National Standard] The center participates in the drafting, revision, and development of standards related to one-dimensional and two-dimensional barcodes for packaging.
In recent years, driven by the global initiatives of "carbon neutrality" and "carbon peak," industries across the board have been tirelessly working to advance energy transformation and achieve the "dual carbon" goals—striving to pave a greener, more sustainable path forward. Against this backdrop, two-dimensional barcodes have naturally emerged as an innovative solution: serving as product "digital labels" that can be read from two distinct dimensions, they offer both convenience and environmental benefits.
To further standardize the use of one-dimensional and two-dimensional barcodes, national-level standards are continuously being updated and refined. The center has been involved in part of the work related to the standards for both one-dimensional codes and QR codes, including Led the drafting of the national standard GB/T 41977-2022
01 Scope of Application of These Standards
02 The Difference Between One-Dimensional and Two-Dimensional Barcodes
A two-dimensional barcode is a technology that encodes information into a two-dimensional matrix pattern—essentially an extension of the one-dimensional barcode, where the barcode symbol represents data across two dimensions. Two-dimensional barcodes typically consist of small black and white squares or dots, with the position and color of each element encoding specific information. When a scanner or reader passes over the 2D barcode, it captures the positional and color data of every square or dot, converts this information into digital or character form, and sends it to a computer or other device for further processing.
03 How to Use Two Types of Barcodes
One-dimensional barcode Widely used in sectors such as retail, logistics and inventory management, document management, and postal services, common one-dimensional barcode types include UPC codes, EAN codes, Code 39, Code 128, and more. Each type of one-dimensional barcode has its own unique encoding rules and specific application scenarios. Thanks to their simplicity, ease of use, and low cost, one-dimensional barcodes remain one of the most widely adopted automatic identification technologies across numerous industries. In our country, product barcodes are uniformly assigned by the China Article Numbering Center and are valid for two years.
Two-dimensional barcode Widely used in areas such as mobile payments, ticket management, logistics and inventory control, document management, and healthcare. Common types of 2D barcodes include QR codes, Data Matrix codes, PDF417 codes, and more. Each 2D barcode type comes with its own unique encoding rules and specific application scenarios. Thanks to their high density, robust error tolerance, and versatile functionality, 2D barcodes have become an indispensable technology in modern life.
It is clear that one-dimensional and two-dimensional barcodes are two distinct types of barcode symbols, each tailored for different applications in various fields. While one-dimensional barcodes primarily serve to identify items, two-dimensional barcodes focus more on providing detailed descriptions of those items. To ensure that all industries can properly utilize both types of barcodes, comprehensive, industry-wide standards are essential for establishing clear guidelines.
The center is capable of participating in the drafting, revision, and development of national and industry standards in the packaging sector—this is a social responsibility that the center, as an authoritative third-party packaging testing organization, should fulfill. Moreover, leveraging its extensive practical experience and robust research capabilities, the center can contribute modestly yet meaningfully to the industry's sustained and healthy growth.
In the ongoing efforts to refine standards for both one-dimensional and two-dimensional barcodes, the center will continue to leverage its strengths, drawing on real-world experience to enrich the theoretical framework. This approach will provide valuable guidance for more organizations, collectively driving industry growth forward. By continuously advancing packaging solutions, we can ensure that people’s daily lives keep pace with technological progress—and help the industry achieve meaningful success on the path toward sustainable, eco-friendly development.
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