Databar GS1 Barcode

A new barcode symbology that can not only encode the usual article numbers (GTIN) like EAN 13 / UPC-A but also additional information like, for example, produce weight, a "best-before" date, or a lot size. Other applications beyond the point of sale include coupons where Databar GS1 is supposed to replace UPC-A and Code 128 GS1 barcode coupons.

Databar is actually a collection of seven different symbologies, some of them stacked. Originally, Databar was christened "RSS" (for "Reduced Size Symbology"), however, to avoid confusion with "Really Simple Syndication", the name was changed subsequently.

Databar defines the following variations:

Barcodes intended for POS

GS1 Databar Omnidirectional (replaces the EAN 13 / UPC-A, same data content, GTIN, but smaller)
GS1 Databar Stacked Omnidirectional (as above but stacked)
GS1 Databar Expanded (replaces the 128 GS1, up to 74 digits or 41 letters)
GS1 Databar Expanded Stacked (as above but stacked)

Barcodes not intended for POS

GS1 Databar Truncated (like Omnidirectional but with reduced height)
GS1 Databar Stacked (as above but stacked)
GS1 Databar Limited (for very small items in health-care)

Originally, RSS also specified so called Composite barcodes, where a 2D barcode (a variation of Micro PDF417) was put above a linear barcode. However, composite barcodes have not been integrated into Databar.

All Databar Barcode variations at a glance:

Databar Barcode Overview

Source: GS1.org

The RSS family of barcodes actually dates back to the 1990s. However, promises made by the proponents of the RFID technology stalled the progress of RSS / Databar. Now that RFID tags are no longer a serious proposal for the Point-of-Sale, the code family has been brought back to life.

However, the rapid progress in 2D matrix barcode technology (e.g. with Datamatrix and QR Code "Cellphone Barcode") led to barcode symbologies which offer great advantages over stacked symbologies (Databar, Code 49, PDF417) with regard to capacity, error correction etc.

An illustrative example: In the above picture the code tagged "GS1 Databar Expanded Stacked" encodes only about 35 characters (the sequence "0198898765432106320201234515991231", to be precise). A Datamatrix with the same content would easily fit in an area only a quarter of size of the Databar code. Here's a Datamatrix with the same content:

Databar vs DataMatrix

(Created with our Barcode Generator.)

The sunshine phase (the start of using the code in retail at the POS) is scheduled to begin early 2010. While retailers are in principle required to support the new code at the POS, manufacturers can choose if they want to stick with UPC / EAN on their products until at least 2014. Originally, introduction of Databar GS1 Barcode Coupons was planned for January of 2010 but this was recently postponed by one year (source).

Our software Barcode Generator for Mac supports all seven Databar GS1 symbologies as described above.

For integration of Databar GS1 capability in other products, please see the roadmap.

More Info

GS1 - Databar Introduction
GS1 - Software for Databar, applications from 2000 and 2001, might no longer work in today's environments.

The official RSS/Databar specifications can be obtained from ISO