Frequently Asked Questions
#1: On which product labels will the 2D barcodes be implemented?
Ultimately, 2D barcodes will be implemented across the entire Life Science product portfolio (with the exception of products with labels that are too small to accommodate the barcodes).
#2: Will the information on the 2D barcode be removed from the labels?
No, all information stored in the 2D barcode will stay 'human readable' on the labels.
#3: Do you plan to put any other data on the 2D barcodes?
Yes, very likely and we will inform you soon after updates are made.
#4: Do I need any special technical equipment to scan a 2D barcode?
Yes, please use a scanning device which is able to read Data Matrix 2D barcodes that adhere to the GS1 standard.
Important note - Do not confuse 1D Data Matrix GS1 barcode scanners with scanners able to read 2D Data Matrix GS1 barcodes. Scan Now requires that your device be able to read 2D barcodes.
#5: Will 1D barcodes be removed from the label?
Not immediately. After internal and customer systems/processes have been updated, the 1D barcodes will likely be removed.
#6: Where can I learn more about the 2D barcodes on Emprove® product labels?
For more information, visit the Smart Label page.
#7: Are there any scanner configuration recommendations for the Scan Now page?
For best results, please set up your scanner to use an English keyboard layout.
If you encounter any issues, please contact customer service.
#8: Are there plans to create a Scan Now App?
Yes. Please see the Scan Now App download page for more information.
#9: What is an AI (Application Identifier)?
MilliporeSigma Smart Labels follow the barcode guidelines defined by GS1, a global not-for-profit standards group. Read more about GS1 here.
The specification includes rules for how to format the product data contained in the barcode. Those rules include Application Identifiers (AIs), which are prefixes that are paired with the product information itself, such as the expiration date, for example.
When it is possible, GS1 standardizes the data fields themselves, too. For instance, the aforementioned expiration date is AI code 17; the GS1 rules say that the date is six digits long, two digits for the year, two for the month, and two for the date. So a full example Expiry Date would be 17250128 where '17' is the AI, '25' is the year (2025), '01' is the month (January), and '28' is the date.
There are hundreds of AIs, including GTIN (AI 01), USE BY OR EXPIRY (AI 17), BATCH/LOT (AI 10), SERIAL (AI 21), and ORIGIN (AI 422).
Read more about AIs on the GS1 website here and the GS1 standard here.
The Scan Now webpage reads the long string of numbers and letters that make up a Smart Label barcode, finds the AIs and product data and displays the information in a table.
About the Scan Now App
Copyright 2021 Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
Portions of the Scan Now app make use of Adobe Cordova (PhoneGap)
About the Adobe Cordova (PhoneGap) License
Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License"); you may not use Adobe Cordova except in compliance with the License.
You may obtain a copy of the License at
https://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. See the License for the specific language governing permissions and limitations under the License.
About Application Identifiers (AIs)
MilliporeSigma Smart Labels follow the barcode guidelines defined by GS1, a global not-for-profit standards group. Read more about GS1 here.
The specification includes rules for how to format the product data contained in the barcode. Those rules include Application Identifiers (AIs), which are prefixes that are paired with the product information itself, such as the expiration date, for example.
When it is possible, GS1 standardizes the data fields themselves, too. For instance, the aforementioned expiration date is AI code 17; the GS1 rules say that the date is six digits long, two digits for the year, two for the month, and two for the date. So a full example Expiry Date would be 17250128 where '17' is the AI, '25' is the year (2025), '01' is the month (January), and '28' is the date.
There are hundreds of AIs, including GTIN (AI 01), USE BY OR EXPIRY (AI 17), BATCH/LOT (AI 10), SERIAL (AI 21), and ORIGIN (AI 422).
Read more about AIs on the GS1 website here and the GS1 standard here.
The Scan Now webpage reads the long string of numbers and letters that make up a Smart Label barcode, finds the AIs and product data and displays the information in a table.
