EN 62090:2003

SLOVENSKI SIST EN 62090:2003
STANDARD
november 2003
Product package labels for electronic components using bar code and two-
dimensional symbologies
ICS 31.190; 35.040 Referenčna številka
©  Standard je založil in izdal Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje ali kopiranje celote ali delov tega dokumenta ni dovoljeno

EUROPEAN STANDARD EN 62090
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM February 2003

ICS 35.040; 31.190; 31.200
English version
Product package labels for electronic components
using bar code and two-dimensional symbologies
(IEC 62090:2002)
Etiquettes d'emballage de produits  Etiketten für Verpackungen elektronischer
pour composants électroniques, Bauelemente unter Anwendung von
utilisant un code à barres Strichcodierung und zweidimensionaler
et une symbologie bidimensionelle Symbologien
(CEI 62090:2002) (IEC 62090:2002)

This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2003-02-01. CENELEC members are bound to
comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European
Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.

Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on
application to the Central Secretariat or to any CENELEC member.

This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other
language made by translation under the responsibility of a CENELEC member into its own language and
notified to the Central Secretariat has the same status as the official versions.

CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic,
Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta,
Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.

CENELEC
European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung

Central Secretariat: rue de Stassart 35, B - 1050 Brussels

© 2003 CENELEC - All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC members.

Ref. No. EN 62090:2003 E
Foreword
The text of document 91/329/FDIS, future edition 1 of IEC 62090, prepared by IEC TC 91, Electronics
assembly technology, was submitted to the IEC-CENELEC parallel vote and was approved by
CENELEC as EN 62090 on 2003-02-01.

The following dates were fixed:

– latest date by which the EN has to be implemented
at national level by publication of an identical
national standard or by endorsement (dop) 2003-11-01

– latest date by which the national standards conflicting
with the EN have to be withdrawn (dow) 2006-02-01

Annexes designated "normative" are part of the body of the standard.
Annexes designated "informative" are given for information only.
In this standard, annex ZA is normative and annexes A, B, C and D are informative.
Annex ZA has been added by CENELEC.
__________
Endorsement notice
The text of the International Standard IEC 62090:2002 was approved by CENELEC as a European
Standard without any modification.

In the official version, for Bibliography, the following notes have to be added for the standards
indicated:
IEC 60286-1 NOTE Harmonized as EN 60286-1:1998 (not modified).
IEC 60286-2 NOTE Harmonized as EN 60286-2:1998 (not modified).
IEC 60286-3 NOTE Harmonized as EN 60286-3:1998 (not modified).
IEC 60286-4 NOTE Harmonized as EN 60286-4:1998 (not modified).
IEC 60286-5 NOTE Harmonized as EN 60286-5:1997 (modified).
IEC 60286-6 NOTE Harmonized as EN 60286-6:1998 (not modified).
__________
- 3 - EN 62090:2003
Annex ZA
(normative)
Normative references to international publications
with their corresponding European publications
This European Standard incorporates by dated or undated reference, provisions from other
publications. These normative references are cited at the appropriate places in the text and the
publications are listed hereafter. For dated references, subsequent amendments to or revisions of any
of these publications apply to this European Standard only when incorporated in it by amendment or
revision. For undated references the latest edition of the publication referred to applies (including
amendments).
NOTE When an international publication has been modified by common modifications, indicated by (mod), the relevant
EN/HD applies.
Publication Year Title EN/HD Year
1)
IEC 60194 - Printed board design, manufacture and - -
assembly - Terms and definitions

1)
ISO/IEC 15417 - Information Technology - Automatic - -
identification and data capture
techniques - Bar code symbology
specification - Code 128
1)
ISO/IEC 15418 - Information technology - EAN/UCC - -
application identifiers and fact data
identifiers and maintenance
1)
ISO/IEC 15434 - Information technology - Transfer syntax - -
for high capacity ADC media
1)
ISO/IEC 15438 - Information technology - Automatic - -
identification and data capture
techniques - Bar code symbology
specifications - PDF417
ISO/IEC 15459 Series Information technology - Unique - -
identification of transport units

1)
ISO/IEC 15459-1 - Information technology - Unique - -
identification of transport units
Part 1: General
1)
ISO/IEC 16022 - Information technology - International - -
symbology specification - Data matrix

1)
ISO/IEC 16388 - Information technology - Automatic - -
identification and data capture
techniques - Bar code symbology
specifications - Code 39
1)
Undated reference.
Publication Year Title EN/HD Year
1)
ISO/IEC 18004 - Information technology - Automatic - -
identification and data capture
techniques - Bar code symbology -
QR Code
1) 2)
ISO 3166 - Codes for the representation of names EN 23166 1993
of countries and their subdivisions

1)
ISO 8601 - Data elements and interchange formats - -
- Information interchange -
Representation of dates and times

2)
Valid edition at date of issue.

NORME
CEI
INTERNATIONALE IEC
INTERNATIONAL
Première édition
STANDARD
First edition
2002-11
Etiquettes d'emballage de produits
pour composants électroniques, utilisant
un code à barres et une symbologie
bidimensionnelle
Product package labels for electronic
components using bar code and
two-dimensional symbologies
© IEC 2002 Droits de reproduction réservés ⎯ Copyright - all rights reserved
Aucune partie de cette publication ne peut être reproduite ni No part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any
utilisée sous quelque forme que ce soit et par aucun procédé, form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including
électronique ou mécanique, y compris la photocopie et les photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from
microfilms, sans l'accord écrit de l'éditeur. the publisher.
International Electrotechnical Commission, 3, rue de Varembé, PO Box 131, CH-1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland
Telephone: +41 22 919 02 11 Telefax: +41 22 919 03 00 E-mail: inmail@iec.ch  Web: www.iec.ch
CODE PRIX
X
Commission Electrotechnique Internationale PRICE CODE
International Electrotechnical Commission
ɆɟɠɞɭɧɚɪɨɞɧɚɹɗɥɟɤɬɪɨɬɟɯɧɢɱɟɫɤɚɹɄɨɦɢɫɫɢɹ
Pour prix, voir catalogue en vigueur
For price, see current catalogue

62090 © IEC:2002 – 3 –
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 5
1 Scope and object . 7
2 Normative references. 7
3 Definitions . 9
4 Label data content and requirements . 9
4.1 Data elements . 9
4.2 Data representation .19
4.3 Rules for encoding of mandatory and optional data elements in machine-
readable symbols and human-readable information .25
4.4 Data carriers.31
4.5 Label size, layout, and location.37
Annex A (informative) EIAJ use of 3N data identifier on component packages.45
Annex B (informative)  Glossary.51
Annex C (informative) Choice of symbologies in label design .75
Annex D (informative) Quality aspects of labels – Label adhesive characteristics and
mark durability .79
Bibliography.87
Figure 1 – Example of encoding data identifier data in a 2D symbol .21
Figure 2 – Examples of terminology .23
Figure 3 – Label with a linear bar code and human-readable information .37
Figure 4 – Label with a 2D symbol and human-readable information .39
Figure 5 – Label with a linear bar code, a 2D symbol and human-readable information .39
Figure 6 – Typical label locations .43
Figure A.1 – Examples of label and label layout .49
Figure C.1 – Flowchart to select bar code symbologies for use in label design.77
Figure D.1 – Adhesion tester.85
Table 1 – Data identifiers (DIs) used in item identification .11
Table 2 – DIs used to identify quantity.13
Table 3 – DIs used for traceability information.15
Table 4 – DIs used for supplier identification.17
Table 5 – Country of origin DI .17
Table 6 – Data elements, maximum length, and data status for product package labels .29
Table 7 – Summary of rules for encoding in machine-readable symbols and printing in
human-readable information.31
Table 8 – Product package label symbol requirements − Code 39 .33
Table 9 – Product package label symbol requirements − Code 128 .33
Table A.1 – Data elements of bar code pattern (EIAJ) .45
Table A.2 – Symbol requirements of bar code pattern (EIAJ).45

62090 © IEC:2002 – 5 –
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
PRODUCT PACKAGE LABELS FOR ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS
USING BAR CODE AND TWO-DIMENSIONAL SYMBOLOGIES
FOREWORD
1) The IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of the IEC is to promote
international co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To
this end and in addition to other activities, the IEC publishes International Standards. Their preparation is
entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested in the subject dealt with may
participate in this preparatory work. International, governmental and non-governmental organizations liaising
with the IEC also participate in this preparation. The IEC collaborates closely with the International
Organization for Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by agreement between the
two organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of the IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an
international consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation
from all interested National Committees.
3) The documents produced have the form of recommendations for international use and are published in the form
of standards, technical specifications, technical reports or guides and they are accepted by the National
Committees in that sense.
4) In order to promote international unification, IEC National Committees undertake to apply IEC International
Standards transparently to the maximum extent possible in their national and regional standards. Any
divergence between the IEC Standard and the corresponding national or regional standard shall be clearly
indicated in the latter.
5) The IEC provides no marking procedure to indicate its approval and cannot be rendered responsible for any
equipment declared to be in conformity with one of its standards.
6) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this International Standard may be the subject
of patent rights. The IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
International Standard IEC 62090 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 91:
Electronics assembly technology.
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
91/329/FDIS 91/344/RVD
Full information on the voting for the approval of this standard can be found in the report on
voting indicated in the above table.
This publication has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The committee has decided that the contents of this publication will remain unchanged until
2005. At this date, the publication will be
• reconfirmed;
• withdrawn;
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
62090 © IEC:2002 – 7 –
PRODUCT PACKAGE LABELS FOR ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS
USING BAR CODE AND TWO-DIMENSIONAL SYMBOLOGIES
1 Scope and object
This standard applies to labels on the packaging of electronic components for automatic
handling. These labels use linear bar code and two-dimensional (2D) symbols. Labels for
direct product marking and shipping labels are excluded. Labels required on the packaging of
electronic components that are intended for the retail channel of distribution are also excluded
from this standard.
Bar code and 2D symbols markings are used, in general, for automatic identification and
automatic handling of components in electronics assembly lines. Intended applications
include systems that automate the control of component packages during production,
inventory and internal distribution.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document.
For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition
of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
IEC 60194, Printed board design, manufacture and assembly – Terms and definitions
ISO/IEC 15417, Information technology – Automatic identification and data capture
techniques – Bar code symbology specification – Code 128
ISO/IEC 15418, Information technology – EAN/UCC application identifiers and fact data
identifiers and maintenance
ISO/IEC 15434, Information technology – Transfer syntax for high capacity ADC media
ISO/IEC 15438, Information technology – Automatic identification and data capture
techniques – Bar code symbology specifications – PDF417
ISO/IEC 15459, Information technology – Unique identification of transport units
ISO/IEC 15459-1, Information technology – Unique identification of transport units – Part 1:
General
ISO/IEC 16022, Information technology – International symbology specification – Data matrix

62090 © IEC:2002 – 9 –
ISO/IEC 16388, Information technology – Automatic identification and data capture techniques –
Bar code symbology specifications – Code 39
ISO/IEC 18004, Information technology – Automatic identification and data capture techniques –
Bar code symbology – QR Code
ISO 3166, Codes for representation of names of countries and their subdivisions
ISO 8601, Data elements and interchange formats – Information interchange – Represen-
tation of date and times
3 Definitions
For the purpose of this publication, the following definitions apply :
3.1
component
electronic or electrical parts (e.g. bare printed circuit boards, integrated circuits, capacitors,
diodes, electronic modules, switches, heat sinks, resistors, electronic/electrical connectors,
etc.) used in a first level assembly
3.2
component packaging
commercial unit of components defined by the supplier including, if applicable, their means for
protection, structured alignment or for automated assembly
NOTE 1 TYPICAL EXAMPLES (see B.20).
NOTE 2 For the purposes of this standard, the term “component packaging” includes a multiple of the above, e.g.,
four reels in one box.
3.3
country of origin
manufacturing country wherein the product obtained its present identity as a part,
subassembly, or finished product. The definition of “country of origin” should be in line with
local regulations.
4 Label data content and requirements
4.1 Data elements
4.1.1 General
The label format accommodates both mandatory and optional data elements.
This standard does not supersede or replace any applicable safety or regulatory marking or
labelling requirements. This standard is to be applied in addition to any other mandated
labelling requirements. The labelling requirements of this standard and other standards may
be combined into one label or appear as separate labels.
___________
A complete glossary of the terms used in this document is given in Annex B.

62090 © IEC:2002 – 11 –
The number included in character count is exclusive of overhead characters such as start and
stop characters, data identifiers and any other characters required by a standard symbology
specification to properly encoded data.
All data elements encoded in a machine-readable medium shall be preceded by the
appropriate ISO/IEC 15418/ANSI MH10.8.2 data identifier.
It is recommended that data structures used to identify products or the traceability of
products include identification of the organization providing the coding as well as the
specific coding structure. This coding structure uses the Issuing Agency Code (IAC)
established in ISO/IEC 15459-1 and the Company Identification Number (CIN) assigned
by the issuing agency.
4.1.2 Mandatory data elements
• Item identification code
• Quantity without or quantity with unit of measure
• Traceability identification
− serial number
or
− traceability number
4.1.2.1 Item identification
Item identification may be assigned by either the supplier or the customer. Either the
customer item identification or the supplier item identification or both may be shown on
the label as agreed between the trading partners. If both are shown on the label, at least one
of the two item identifiers shall be encoded in a machine-readable symbol.
It is recommended that the item identification assigned by the customer be the same as the
item identification used on the purchase order.
The supplier’s part number shall be used for item identification in the absence of a different
agreement between trading partners.
The maximum length of this data element is given in Table 1.
The item identification data field should be in one of the formats below. These identifiers
represent the most frequently used formats for product package. The complete list of possible
item identification codes can be found in ANSI MH10.8.2.
Table 1 – Data identifiers (DIs) used in item identification
Data characteristics
Data identifier Data field Description
type/length
P Product number An1+an.25 Customer assigned part number
1P Product number An2+an.25 Supplier assigned part number
25P Product number An3+an.32 Combined IAC/CIN and item code assigned by
the supplier
62090 © IEC:2002 – 13 –
4.1.2.2 Quantity
The quantity shall be the quantity in the package or container to which the label is affixed.
The default unit of measure for data identifier “Q” is “EACH” or “PIECES”.
When a different unit of measure is required, as agreed between trading partners, data
identifier “7Q” shall be used with the quantity followed by two alphanumeric characters
representing the ANSI X.12.3 unit of measurement code.
The maximum length of this data element is given in Table 2.
The quantity data field should be in one of the formats below. These identifiers represent
the most frequently used formats for product package applications.
Table 2 – DIs used to identify quantity
Description
Data characteristics Examples show encoded characters.
Data identifier Data field
type/length Spaces are shown for clarity
but are not encoded.
Q Quantity in an1+n.8 The number of products (pcs) in the product
package package.
EXAMPLE: Q2000
7Q Quantity with unit an2+n.8+an2 The Quantity with ANSI X12.3 Data Element
of measure Dictionary qualifier of products in the product
package (CR = cubic meter)
EXAMPLE: 7Q1CR
(This includes an encoded decimal point, if
necessary)
NOTE Print only the significant digits for the human-readable quantity. Do not print leading zeros.
4.1.2.3 Traceability identification
The traceability identification shall be assigned by the supplier. This category of identification
includes serial numbers and lot/batch numbers.
When data identifiers are used, traceability identification should be either a serial number
(using data identifier “S” or “25S”) or a lot/batch number (using data identifier “1T” or ”25T”).
In certain circumstances, both the serial number and the lot/batch number may be shown on
the label. In this case, at least one of the two should be encoded in a machine-readable
symbol.
The maximum length of this data element is given in Table 3. The traceability identification
data field should be in one of the formats below. These identifiers represent the most
frequently used formats for product package applications.

62090 © IEC:2002 – 15 –
Table 3 – DIs used for traceability information
Data identifier Data field Data characteristics Description
type/length
S Serial number an1+an.25 Serial number or code assigned by the
supplier to an entity for its lifetime
25S Serial number An3 +an.32 Combined IAC/CIN and the serial number
assigned by the supplier
1T Lot/batch number an2+an.25 Lot/batch number defined by the
manufacturer
25T Lot/batch number an3 +an.32 Combined IAC/CIN and entity identification
and lot/batch number assigned by the
supplier
4.1.2.3.1 Serial number
A serial number is a unique code assigned by the supplier to an entity for its lifetime. The
format for the serial number is to be defined by the manufacturer.
4.1.2.3.2 Lot/batch number
A lot/batch number is a code assigned by the supplier to identify or trace a unique group
of entities (e.g., lot, batch, etc.). The format for the lot/batch number is to be defined
by the manufacturer.
4.1.3 Optional data elements
• Supplier identification
• Country of origin
• Date code
• Others (not specified)
4.1.3.1 Supplier identification
The supplier identification shall uniquely identify the supplier location to which the component
is traceable. The supplier identification should be assigned by the supplier or a recognized
body assigning supplier identification in mutual agreement between trading partners; it may
be assigned by the customer.
It is recommended that the supplier identification shown on the label be the supplier
identification assigned by the supplier or a recognized body assigning supplier identification.
The supplier identification field should be in one of the following formats:

62090 © IEC:2002 – 17 –
Table 4 – DIs used for supplier identification
Data characteristics
Data identifier Data field Description
type/length
1V Vendor code an1+an9 Supplier code assigned by a supplier
12V DUN’s number an3+n9 Entity (manufacturer)
identifying
Identification assigned by Dun and Bradstreet
manufacturer
20V Company An3+an1.3+ Combined IAC/CIN and Party Qualifier Code
identification (EDIFACT DE 3035)
an3.13+”+”+an3
21V Company An3+an1.3+ Combined IAC/CIN and sub-unit identification
identification
an3.13+an.xx (up to
18 characters)
It is further recommended that all supplier identification migrate to the following proposal:
The supplier identification shall use the issuing agency code as assigned by ISO/IEC 15459
followed by the company identification which is assigned by the issuing agency followed by
an internally assigned location or entity identification.
For example:
21V LE XYZ 12345678901
Data identifier Issuing agency code Company identification Internal identification
The maximum length of this data element is 18 alphanumeric characters.
4.1.3.2 Country of origin
When the country of origin is required to be included on the label, it shall be shown in human-
readable information using the two-letter designation as specified in ISO 3166.
This may be in addition to the data being encoded in a machine-readable symbol.
When using data identifiers, the fixed length of this data element is two alphabetic characters.
The country of origin code field should be in the following format:
Table 5 – Country of origin DI
Description
Data characteristics Examples show encoded characters.
Data identifier Data field
Spaces are shown for clarity
type/length
but are not encoded.
4L Country code An2+an2 2-character country code assigned by ISO.
The country of origin is defined as the manufac-
turing country wherein the product obtained its
present identity as a part, sub-assembly, or
finished product. With the agreement of the
trading partners and when the country of origin
is mixed, country code “AA” shall be used.
The country code is found in ISO 3166.
EXAMPLE: 4L US
62090 © IEC:2002 – 19 –
4.1.3.3 Date code
Date code shall be in accordance with ISO 8601. It is recommended that date codes include
the four-position designations for the year. When encoded in a machine-readable symbol, it is
recommended that data identifiers “11D” or “16D” be used.
4.1.3.4 Others not specified in this standard
Examples of this category of data elements are product description and parametric values.
4.2 Data representation
4.2.1 General formatting
Data elements can be represented on the label as human-readable information or encoded
in machine-readable symbols or both.
The label shall consist of machine-readable data elements and human-readable data
elements.
It is important that the appropriate data identifiers, data separators, and start and stop
characters are utilized in accordance with their associated industry, country, or region, and
also symbology standards. For this standard, the data identifiers for each data element shall
be selected from the options given in 4.1 (preferred) or ISO/IEC 15418. Note that EIAJ has
prescribed special data semantic rules given in Annex A for component packages intended to
meet EIAJ requirements.
4.2.2 General formatting for machine-readable symbols
In this standard, machine-readable symbols can be linear bar code symbols or 2D symbols.
4.2.2.1 Linear bar code
4.2.2.1.1 Syntax
Generally, it is recommended that each data element be encoded in a separate bar code
symbol.
If mutually agreed upon between trading partners, data elements can be concatenated into
one bar code symbol to facilitate capture of more than one data element with a single
scanning operation.
Concatenation shall be in accordance with ANSI MH10.8.2 (as referenced in ISO/IEC 15418).
Two common techniques are used to concatenate data with bar code symbols. The first
technique is the use of a combination of fixed length fields. The second technique employs a
special concatenation character between variable length fields. This second technique is
frequently used with variable length fields. This standard recommends the use of the plus “+”
character (ASCII Decimal 43) to delimit variable length fields when using data identifiers in
either the Code 39 or the Code 128 bar code symbology.
4.2.2.1.2 Maximum symbol length
The maximum symbol length of a linear bar code symbol should be no more than 8 cm.

62090 © IEC:2002 – 21 –
4.2.2.2 2D symbols
4.2.2.2.1 Data element syntax for 2D symbols
The encoding shall be as described in ISO/IEC 15434. The message and format header, the
R G
first 7 characters “[)> 06 ”, and the message and format trailer, the last 2 characters
S S
R E
“ O ”, are fixed for this application (with format indicator “06” for data identifier structure).
S T
G
When data elements are combined within a two dimensional symbol, the “ ” (ASCII/ISO 646
S
Decimal “29”, Hex “1D”) character and the appropriate data identifier shall be used to identify
each of the combined fields.
The example in Figure 1 is comprised of data identifiers, other overhead characters, and
mandatory fields (an item identification, quantity, and a traceability identification (e.g.
lot/batch number)).
Data identifiers
R G G G R E
[ ) > 06 1P Item-Ident Q Quant. 1T Trace-Ident O
S S S S S T
Message Message
header trailer
Format Data elements Format
indicator trailer
Data element
separator IEC  2707/02
Figure 1 – Example of encoding data identifier data in a 2D symbol
Thus, the character string (without blank spaces) is represented as follows:
R G G G R E
[ ) > 06 1P Item-Ident Q Quant. 1T Trace-Ident O
S S S S S T
4.2.3 General formatting for human-readable information
Human-readable information can be human interpretation, human translation, data titles or
free text and data.
4.2.3.1 Human-readable interpretation
A Human-Readable Interpretation (HRI) of each linear bar code symbol shall be provided
adjacent to the bar code. Such human-readable interpretation shall represent the encoded
data. See Figure 2.
The human-readable interpretation shall represent the encoded data, exclusive of the data
identifier. The data identifier appears in parentheses as part of the data area title, e.g.,
“(S) Serial #.”
The human-readable interpretation of the linear bar code symbol shall be printed above the
bar code symbol.
For 2D symbols, human translation (see below) should be used.

62090 © IEC:2002 – 23 –
4.2.3.2 Human translation
In addition to the human-readable interpretation, human translation of linear bar code
information may be provided in a separate section of the label. See Figure 2.
Human translation of 2D symbols may be provided in a separate section of the label.
4.2.3.3 Data area titles
Data areas comprise information in bar code or human-readable form. Data areas shall be
identified with the corresponding data area title in human-readable text. A data area title is not
required when a data area contains:
• a single linear bar code symbol concatenating multiple data elements, or
• a data area containing multiple linear bar code symbols that are intended to be scanned in
a single data capture operation.
Data area titles for linear bar code symbols may be presented with a full data element title,
e.g. (S) Serial Number 123456, or an abbreviated data element title, e.g. (S) Ser. No. 123456.
The data element title is placed directly after the data identifier.
If the real estate available for marking is insufficient to support the marking of the data
element title and the data identifier, the data area title may be abbreviated to only include the
data identifier enclosed in parentheses, e.g. (S) 123456.
Human-readable
(1V) SPLR ID
interpretation
Linear bar
code symbol
(1P) PART # SPLR
MH80312
Data
identifier
Data element
title
(Q) QTY
Data area
title
SPLR
Supplier: 0098756
Part No. MH80312 Human
Two-dimensional
translation
Lot No.: 95312Q41XMJH
symbol
Origin: U.S.A.
Quantity: 6
(1T) TRACE
95312Q41XMJH
(4L) ORIGIN
US Free
HyperMedia
text
For HAL Compatibles
IEC  2708/02
Figure 2 – Examples of terminology

62090 © IEC:2002 – 25 –
When two-dimensional symbols are used, each 2D symbol should be identified by the
following data area titles displayed above the 2D symbol.
A 2D symbol containing data meant for
• the supplier only shall be identified by the title “SPLR”;
• the customer only shall be identified with the title “CUST”;
• both the supplier and the customer shall be identified with the title “SPLR/CUST”.
4.2.3.4 Free text and data
Human-readable information that is not a translation of the bar code information may be
provided according to the requirements of the trading partners.
4.3 Rules for encoding of mandatory and optional data elements in machine-readable
symbols and human-readable information
4.3.1 General rules
All machine-readable data elements shall be preceded by the appropriate data identifier.
The data identifier shall be selected from the options given in 4.1 and in accordance
with ISO/IEC 15418.
4.3.2 Rules for mandatory data elements
4.3.2.1 Encoding in machine-readable symbols
Mandatory data elements shall be encoded in a machine-readable symbol:
If only a linear bar code is used, the mandatory data shall be in the linear bar code.
If both a linear bar code and 2D symbol are used on the label, the mandatory data shall be
in the linear bar code and the 2D symbol.
If only a 2D symbol is used, the mandatory data shall be in the 2D symbol, and specific
agreement is needed between trading partners to ensure that both trading partners are
prepared to utilise the 2D symbol.
4.3.2.2 Human-readable information for encoded data elements
Human-readable information for mandatory data elements shall be on the label in all cases.
For linear symbols, the human readable shall be human-readable interpretation.
For 2D symbols, the human readable shall be human translation.
4.3.3 Rules for optional data elements specified in 4.1.3.1 through 4.1.3.3
4.3.3.1 Encoding in machine-readable symbols
Optional data elements should be encoded in a machine-readable symbol.
If only linear bar codes are used, the data should be in the linear bar code.
If both linear bar codes and 2D symbol are used, data should be in linear bar code and
should be included in 2D.
62090 © IEC:2002 – 27 –
If the data are included in the linear bar code, the data shall also be included in the 2D
symbol.
If only a 2D symbol is used, the data should be in the 2D symbol. The use of a 2D symbol
must be accompanied by the linear bar code of the mandatory data fields unless mutually
agreed upon between trading partners.
4.3.3.2 Human-readable information for encoded data elements
Human-readable information for optional data elements encoded in a linear symbol shall be
on the label in all cases. In this case, human-readable interpretation shall be present and
human translation may be added.
For data elements encoded in 2D symbols, the human-readable information should be on the
label and it shall be human translation.
4.3.3.3 Human-readable information for data elements not encoded
Human-readable information for optional data elements that are not encoded in machine-
readable symbols may be shown in human-readable information only.
4.3.4 Rules for optional data elements not specified in 4.1.3.1 through 4.1.3.3
For these other data elements, the following rules shall be applied.
4.3.4.1 Encoding in machine-readable symbols
If only linear bar codes are used, the data may be in the linear bar code.
If both linear bar codes and 2D symbol are used, data may be in linear bar code and should
be included in 2D.
If the data are included in the linear bar code, the data shall also be included in the 2D
symbol.
If only a 2D symbol is used, the data should be in the 2D symbol. The use of a 2D symbol
must be accompanied by the linear bar code of the mandatory data fields unless mutually
agreed upon between trading partners.
4.3.4.2 Human-readable information for encoded data elements
For data elements encoded in a linear symbol, the human-readable information shall be on
the label in all cases. In this case, human-readable interpretation shall be present and human-
readable translation may be added.
For data elements encoded in 2D symbols, the human-readable information may be on the
label and it shall be printed as human translation.

62090 © IEC:2002 – 29 –
4.3.4.3 Human-readable information for non-encoded data elements
Other data elements may be shown in free text only: for example, product description and
parametric values.
4.3.4.4 Survey of label content, rules for encoding and printing of data elements
In this subclause, a summary of the label content and rules for encoding in machine-readable
symbols and printing in human-readable information is given in Tables 6 and 7. This summary
is intended to facilitate the reading of this standard. In case of conflicts with the text of 4.1
to 4.4, the text of 4.1 to 4.4 shall be used.
Table 6 – Data elements, maximum length, and data status for product package labels
Maximum number
a
Data element Data status
Data identifier
a
of characters
Item identification 25 an (P,1P) P or 1P, 25P Mandatory
32 an (25P)
Quantity 8 n Q or 7Q Mandatory
Traceability identification 25 an (S,1T) S,25S or 1T,25T Mandatory
32 an (25S,25T)
Supplier identification 9 an (1V), an3+n9(12V), 1V,12V,20V,21V Optional
an3+an1.3+an3.13+an…xx (20V)
an3+an1.3+an3.13+an.xx (up to
18 characters) (21V)
Country of origin An2+an2 4L Optional
Date code 8 n 11D or 16D Optional
b
Others 25 an Optional
Use ISO/IEC 15418
a
See Annex A for the EIAJ use of the 3N data identifier.
b
ISO/IEC 15418 refers users to ANSI MH10.8.2 for data identifiers (see the Bibliography).

62090 © IEC:2002 – 31 –
Table 7 – Summary of rules for encoding in machine-readable symbols
and printing in human-readable information
Requirement for encoding
Data element Machine-readable Requirement for human-
status symbols on label readable information
Bar code 2D
Bar code Shall Shall
Mandatory Bar + 2D Shall Shall Shall
2D Shall Shall
Bar code Should Shall, if encoded
Shall, for data encoded in
b
Optional
Bar + 2D Should
Should
bar code
a
Specified
2D Should Should, if encoded
No May
Bar code May Shall, if encoded
Optional
Shall, for data encoded in
Bar + 2D May May
bar code
a
Not specified
2D Should May, if encoded
a
“Specified optional data elements” are in this standard supplier identification, country of origin, and date code.
All others belong to the category “Optional data not specified”.
b
If the data element is encoded in a linear bar code, it shall also be included in the 2D symbol.
4.4 Data carriers
4.4.1 Data carrier selection
It is permitted to encode in a linear bar code or in a combination of linear bar code and 2D.
The use of linear bar code symbols to encode mandatory and optional data is the default data
carrier choice of this standard. If only 2D symbols are used, an agreement is needed between
trading partners.
Guidance on the data carrier selection is provided in the paragraph below and in Annex C.
If space exists to encode the mandatory data elements, linear bar code symbols shall be
used. If insufficient space is available for linear bar code symbols to encode the mandatory
data elements, PDF417 should be used. If insufficient space exists for PDF417, or if mutually
agreed upon between trading partners, Data Matrix ECC 200 or the QR Code should be used.
If sufficient space is available to encode mandatory data elements in linear bar code symbols
as well as additional data elements encoded in 2D symbols, then both may be used.
4.4.2 General symbology requirements
Bar code and 2D symbologies used to meet the requirements of 4.4.2.1.1 and 4.4.2.2.1 shall
be in accordance with the appropriate ISO/IEC JTC 1 standard.
When implementing this standard, the reader output string should include the appropriate
data carrier identifier as set forth in ISO/IEC 15424.

62090 © IEC:2002 – 33 –
4.4.2.1 Linear symbologies requirements
4.4.2.1.1 Selected symbologies
The linear bar code symbologies to be used in this standard are as follows:
Code 39 (reference: ISO/IEC 16388)
Code 128 (reference: ISO/IEC 15417 excluding UCC/EAN 128)
4.4.2.1.2 Symbol requirements for linear bar code symbols
Recommended symbol parameters of the bar code symbols are shown in Tables 8 and 9
below. Deviations from the parameters recommended in this standard shall be mutually
agreed upon between trading partners.
For the Code 39 symbology, the optional check digit shall not be encoded.
This standard recommends a minimum narrow element width of 0,25 mm, but in no case shall
the minimum narrow element be less than 0,17 mm. If narrow element width of less than
0,25 mm are used, trading partners must realise the need to use scanning equipment suitable
to read this small narrow element width. Regardless of the narrow element width, the linear
symbol shall meet the minimum print quality requirements of 1,5/05/660.
Table 8 – Product package label symbol requirements −−−− Code 39
Recommended Recommended
Code 39
minimum maximum
Dimensions (nominal) Ratio of wide to narrow 2,25:1 3:1
Narrow element width “X” 0,25 mm
Wide element width As ISO 16388
Intercharacter gap 1X to 5,3X
Height of bar code 5 mm or greater
Minimum print quality 1,5 / 05 / 660
Table 9 – Product package label symbol requirements −−−− Code 128
Recommended
Code 128
minimum
Dimensions (nominal) Module/element width 10X
Height of bar code 5 mm or greater
Minimum print quality 1,5 / 05 / 660
4.4.2.2 Two-dimensional (2D) symbols used on product packages
The two-dimensional symbologies permitted for use in this standard are as follows:
PDF417 (reference: ISO/IEC 15438);
Data Matrix ECC 200 (reference: ISO/IEC 16022);
QR Code (reference: ISO/IEC 18004).

62090 © IEC:2002 – 35 –
For product packaging, this standard recommends the use of PDF417 as the default 2D
symbology. With mutual agreement between trading partners, either Data Matrix ECC 200 or
the QR Code may be used. Additional guidance on symbology selection can be found in
Annex C.
Linear bar code symbols and the PDF417 symbology can be read by either 2D-capable
imaging or 2D-capable laser scanning technologies. Data Matrix ECC 200 and the QR Code
require 2D-capable image scanning technology.
Users should ensure that the scanning technology they select is capable of reading the
symbols they choose to read.
4.4.2.2.1 “X” dimension
The minimum narrow element dimension “X” for the PDF417, Data Matrix ECC 200, and QR
Code symbologies shall be 0,254 mm. The recommended “X” dimensions for each symbology
are as follows:
0,254 mm for PDF417;
0,38 mm (cell size) for Data Matrix ECC 200;
0,38 mm (cell size) for the QR Code.
The X dimension shall be determined by the printing capability of the
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