Identify authentic and fake products by barcodes (2024)

Counterfeiting is becoming increasingly sophisticated in almost all items – from food, drinks, and construction materials to fashion products, medicines, and cosmetics. To distinguish between authentic and fake goods, buyers can check the barcode printed onthe product packaging.

1. What is the barcode on the product packaging?

2. How to check barcodes on packaging by smartphone applications

It is simple to use an application to check barcodes. Use the camera on your phone to scan barcodes or the QR Code on the packaging or product sticker. The application will display all information that the business has provided, such as:

• Full product name

• Product type (color, color code, product code)

• Company name, brand

• Place of manufacture, manufacturing company address, country

• Product description

• E-commerce sites that sell products

• Demo image of the product

• Ingredients

• Manufacture date, expiry date

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Explain detail the barcode on product packaging (Image: nationwidebarcode.com)

3. Recommended software to scan barcodes on product packaging

• iCheck:

Constantly updated prices, information about the manufacturer, production address, contact phone number, and reviews of other users about the product.

• Barcode Viet:

Scan barcodes and QR codes super fast, even on low-quality cameras. This app displays most types of barcodes in Vietnam: manufacturer information, contacts, contact phone number, and product update date.

• QR Barcode Scanner TeaCapps

The application can scan all popular barcode formats such as QR, Data Matrix, Aztec, UPC, EAN, and Code 39.

4. Does barcode scanning software verify authentic goods?

The barcode on the packagingshould be used to check and compare the accuracy of the information on the product packaging when buyers are in doubt.

In addition to the bar code, we must pay attention to other factors such as checking invoices, receipts, anti-counterfeit labels, product forms, logos, and packaging – all must be clear and detailed.

5. What to notice when scanning barcodes on the packaging?

There are many reasons why thebarcode on packagingcannot be scanned; they may be corrupted or simply printed on materials that are not up to standard quality.

• Code readers are not compatible with barcodes

There are many types of barcodes on the packaging, and each will have a corresponding barcode because the encoding is different, so the size and shape cannot be the same.

• Barcode printing error

The manufacturer prints most bar codes on products. Each manufacturer publishes the code on different packaging material, even the color of the barcode is different. Others print with no flat surface, making reading them more difficult.

• Barcode color errors

The color of the barcode also significantly affects whether the code can be read or not; the scanner can only read the bar code when dark bars are used on a light background, in contrast to the printed barcode.

• Barcode position is not correct

Check if your bar code is at the corner or the edge of the product packaging, whether it is hidden or not.

• Barcode printed product surface

If the product has a transparent or translucent color, this will cause problems with color contrast.

• Barcodes are blurred or broken

Check if all barcode lines are transparent and clear. Redundant ink points, broken if a barcode scanner, will be challenging to read in this case.

• Barcode length does not match

A fairly common mistake during print design. If you notice, you may recognize barcodes that can vary in length. The barcode length here is the width of the barcode; it may be too long or too short.

6. What is the real meaning of a barcode on product packaging?

The barcode we usually see on the package consists of two parts:

• Codes of goods for people to identify

• Barcodes for computers and scanners are included in the system management

Barcodes on packaging have two common standards: UPC-A and EAN

• The UPC-A standard is a 100% American product: this standard is specific to the Canadian and US markets

• EAN: used for markets in Europe, Asia, and many other countries

You can refer to bar code printing and usage regulations on the GS1 Vietnam website.

In Vietnam, most goods on the market apply the EAN standard with 13 numbers, divided into four groups:

• Group 1: From left to right, the first three digits are the country code (territory)

• Group 2: Next, with four digits, is the enterprise code

• Group 3: Next, with 5 digits, is the goods code

• Group 4: The last digit (right) is the check digits