How to Create GS1-128 (UCC/EAN-128) Barcodes for Supply Chain and Compliance in .NET

What Is GS1-128 (UCC/EAN-128) Barcode?

GS1-128, also known as UCC/EAN-128, is a standardized 1D barcode for encoding variable-length, structured supply chain data with Application Identifiers (AIs)—used globally for logistics, healthcare, pharma, food, and retail. GS1-128 enables batch, lot, expiry, and serial tracking, and is mandatory for many compliance-driven industries.

Quick Start (Minimal Example)

using Aspose.BarCode.Generation;
var generator = new BarcodeGenerator(EncodeTypes.GS1Code128, "(01)09521234543213(10)ABC123");
generator.Save("gs1-128-shipment.png", BarCodeImageFormat.Png);

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. What Is GS1-128 (UCC/EAN-128) Barcode?
3. Quick Start (Minimal Example)
4. Prerequisites
5. Step-by-Step Implementation
6. Formatting Application Identifiers (AIs)
7. Customizing Barcode Appearance
8. Supported Output Formats
9. Troubleshooting & Common Issues
10. FAQs
11. Use Cases and Applications
12. Best Practices
13. Related Articles
14. Conclusion

Introduction

This guide demonstrates how to generate GS1-128 (UCC/EAN-128) barcodes for global supply chain, pharmaceutical, and regulatory compliance using Aspose.BarCode for .NET. Includes real C# code, AI formatting, and tips for validated output.

Prerequisites

• Visual Studio 2019 or later
• .NET 6.0+ or .NET Framework 4.6.2+
• Aspose.BarCode for .NET (NuGet)
• Basic C# knowledge

PM> Install-Package Aspose.BarCode 

Step-by-Step Implementation

using Aspose.BarCode.Generation;
// Example with GTIN-14 (01) and batch/lot (10)
BarcodeGenerator gen = new BarcodeGenerator(EncodeTypes.GS1Code128, "(01)09521234543213(10)ABC123");
gen.Save("gs1-128-shipment.png", BarCodeImageFormat.Png);

Formatting Application Identifiers (AIs)

• Start each data element with its AI in parentheses, e.g., (01), (17), (10), (21)

• For variable-length fields (batch, lot, serial), group AI and data with no space, and terminate with a FNC1 if more fields follow (Aspose.BarCode does this automatically)

• Examples:

  • GTIN-14: (01)09521234543213
  • Batch/Lot: (10)ABC123
  • Expiry: (17)250430

Customizing Barcode Appearance

• Bar Height/Width: csgen.Parameters.Barcode.BarHeight.Pixels = 100; gen.Parameters.Barcode.XDimension.Pixels = 3;
• Color/Background: csgen.Parameters.Barcode.BarColor = Color.Black; gen.Parameters.Barcode.BackColor = Color.White;
• Caption: csgen.Parameters.CaptionBelow\.Visible = true;

Supported Output Formats

• PNG, JPEG, BMP – Standard print and web
• TIFF – High-res/archival
• SVG, EMF – Vector for labeling and packaging

Troubleshooting & Common Issues

• Barcode not scanning or wrong data?

  • Ensure correct AI syntax, correct use of parentheses, and no extra spaces.

• Variable-length field not parsed?

  • Confirm proper FNC1 placement (handled by Aspose.BarCode automatically for GS1-128).

• Too dense/large for label?

  • Adjust XDimension or use multi-row formatting.

FAQs

Q: How do I encode multiple data fields? A: Concatenate multiple AI-data pairs (e.g., (01)...(10)...(17)...).

Q: Are GS1-128 barcodes required for pharma and food exports? A: Yes, for many regions and industries—always validate with your compliance standards.

Use Cases and Applications

• Global supply chain tracking
• Pharmaceutical batch/expiry labeling
• Food and beverage logistics
• Healthcare device compliance
• Warehouse and shipping automation

Best Practices: Quick Reference Table

Conclusion

GS1-128 (UCC/EAN-128) is essential for supply chain, healthcare, and regulatory barcoding. Aspose.BarCode for .NET provides robust tools for GS1-compliant barcode generation. See the Aspose.BarCode API Reference for more.