Industry
Timelines and Requirements for the Implementation of Pallet Bar Codes
Overview:
A
survey was conducted in September of 1999, at the request of the ECR Supply
Chain Executive Committee, to assess the distributor readiness to utilize
pallet barcoding (SSCC) for shipping, receiving and cross docking purposes.
In addition the survey presented the distributors with pallet bar
coding recommendations, developed by the ECR Bar coding Sub-committee,
established to minimize implementation costs and maximize efficiency.
The survey results would also permit the establishment of industry
timelines allowing suppliers a sufficient timeframe to prepare and undertake
pallet bar coding implementation.
The results of
the recent survey showed, that the majority of the grocery retailers had
within their plans to implement pallet bar code scanning and cross-docking
functions within their distribution facilities. Implementation is to begin
fourth quarter 2000 and continuing though 2001 and 2002.
In addition the distributors endorsed the ECR Bar code Sub-committee
recommendations for the pallet bar code implementation.
Timelines:
The
Industry timelines for applying scannable pallet bar codes on all pallets is
November 1st, 2000. Please note this recommendation applies only to
vendors who utilize a mode of replenishment that make use of pallet bar codes
(i.e. warehouse delivery).
Pallet Bar coding Recommendations:
A
Serialized Shipping Container Code (SSCC) identifies a bar code applied to a
pallet for the logistical movement of the unit. The SSCC is used to uniquely
identify cartons and pallets throughout the supply chain, and can be used to
link the physical movement of goods to electronic information about those
goods and their final destination (via EDI).
This code can be incorporated into a number of different label formats
(referred to as pallet license plates). Depending
on the usage, these label formats may contain only a SSCC, or may contain a
variety of other information including ship to, and carrier specific
information.
In
order to facilitate efficiency and minimize implementation costs, the industry
recommendations for pallet bar codes permit the application of two different
pallet bar code label formats depending on the method of distribution and
handling.
-
For
distributors requiring additional information to support business
processes, i.e. cross docking, carrier information, etc. the EAN/UCC Common Label (MH.10) is recommended for cartons and pallets.
-
For
other applications a
SSCC bar code alone will fulfill the minimum labeling and information
requirements.
Benefits:
The
Serialized Shipping Container Code (SSCC) offers the following benefits for
customers and suppliers:
-
Facilitates
cross docking
-
Enables
tracking of product through data capture
-
Gives
earlier warning of stock outs
-
Quicker
order fulfillment cycle time
-
Expedites
customer payment
-
Reduces
returns and charge-backs
-
Reduces
deductions
-
Enhance
visibility and trace-ability
SSCC - Number and Data Structure
:
There
is no correlation between the SSCC and U.P.C.s of the units on the pallet.
The information linking these numbers is sent to the customer via the
appropriate EDI transaction set. Instead,
the Serialized Shipping Container Code uses a unique number that identifies just
one carton or pallet. The Serialized Shipping Container Code must not be
repeated on another container for at least one year or while the original
container is still in use.
The
SSCC (Serialized Shipping Container Code) is used to identify variable shipping
containers and other logistical units. The number is 18-digits long excluding
the application identifier and can only be printed in UCC/EAN-128 bar code
symbology. In addition, the SSCC
must be printed on a label.
SSCC
– Current Data Structure:
|
Position
|
18
|
17
|
16
|
15
|
14
|
13
|
12
|
11
|
10
|
9
|
8
|
7
|
6
|
5
|
4
|
3
|
2
|
1
|
|
Character
|
PT
|
N1
|
N2
|
N3
|
N4
|
N5
|
N6
|
N7
|
N8
|
N9
|
N10
|
N11
|
N12
|
N13
|
N14
|
N15
|
N16
|
C
|
The
SSCC-18 is an 18 digit number where:
PT
is a Packaging Type assigned by a particular member organization
N1-N16
is a unique number made of two parts:
-
a
number assigned by the UCC/ECCC or EAN to a member organization.
-
a
serial number assigned by the member organization to identify any one
entity (e.g. product, container, pallet) from another entity for 12 months
or the life of the entity, whichever is longer.
C
is a modulo 10 check character.
Packaging
Type*
- In a serial shipping container code, the packaging type denotes a
general type of container:
0
a shipping case or carton
1
a pallet (larger than a case or carton)
2
a container larger than a pallet, e.g. a truckload
3
undefined container type
4
internally defined container type
5
– 9
reserved for future use
*
Currently
being reviewed
SSCC
- Future Data Structure:
Effective
January 2001, the Extension Digit (E) replaces Packaging Type. The Extension
Digit has no defined logic and is available to the member company to increase
the capacity of the SSCC.
N
is positions 1 through 16, and is a unique number made of two parts: the
supplier identification number assigned by the UCC or EAN to a member company,
and a serial number assigned by the member company to identify any one shipping
container, e.g. case, pallet.
|
Position
|
18
|
17
|
16
|
15
|
14
|
13
|
12
|
11
|
10
|
9
|
8
|
7
|
6
|
5
|
4
|
3
|
2
|
1
|
|
Character
|
E
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
C
|
Structure:
Application
Identifier (AI) -
is
a prefix that defines what type of coding structure follows.
It is always shown in parenthesis.
Extension
Digit
– is a one digit placeholders that replaces the Packaging Type.
Company
ID Number – is a unique number that identifies a manufacturer for branded
products and brand owner for private label products in Canada and the USA.
The Company ID number is assigned by the Electronic Commerce Council of
Canada or by the Uniform Code Council, Inc. (in the USA).
Note:
To
accommodate the EAN assigned manufacturer’s number, position 17 is 0 filled
with UCC/ECCC manufacturer numbers.
Serial
Number - is a unique 9-digit number you assign to identify a shipping
container. The number should not
be repeated on any other shipping container for 12 months or while the
shipping container (containing the product) may still be in use, whichever is
longer.
Check-digit – is calculated from the other numbers in the code.
For
more detailed information on the SSCC data structure please refer to the ECCC
publications Application Standards for
Shipping Containers, or Barcoding
Basics For Shipping Containers.
EAN/UCC
Common Label:
The
EAN/UCC common label is a 4” X 6” modular label containing a variety of
information necessary to accurately receive, route, and cross-dock pallets and
cartons of product. Used
extensively in the General Merchandise and Drug Retail Industry, the EAN/UCC
common label typically contains:
-
Ship
from and to information
-
A
ship to postal code in bar code format
-
Carrier
information, including a bill of lading number
-
Mutually
defined information that may be utilized by the supplier, carrier and/or
distributor
-
A
ship to store number in human readable and bar code format
-
Mark
For Address/Store Number – either a detailed address or a store number
-
And
most importantly, a SSCC bar code used to marry the physical flow of product
to the Advance Ship Notice EDI Transaction (856)
Example of a EAN/UCC
Common Label
 |
|
From/DE:
Good
Time Suppler
1155
Main Street
Anytown
Province
X0X 0X0
|
To/A:
Food
Service Distributor
246 King Street
Bigtown
Province Z9Z 9Z9
|
|
Ship to Postal Code/EXPEDIER
A:
(420) Z9Z 9Z9
|
Carrier/TRANSPORTATEUR:
Best Freight
PRO:
2895769860
B/L: 853930
|
|
PO:
345-896779-0
DEPT: 092
|
|
STORE/MAGASIN: (91)
1519
|
Mark For Address/ MARQUER
L’ADDRESS
Food Service Distrib.
Store 1519
Bigtown
Province Z9Z 9Z9
|
|
SSCC
(00) 0 00 12345 555555555 8
|
|
|
|
 
|
|
For
more detailed information on the EAN/UCC common label please refer to the ECCC
publications Application Standards for
Shipping Containers, or Barcoding
Basics For Shipping Containers.
Simple
SSCC Bar code Label:
The
minimum requirement for bar coding a shipping container is to apply a SSCC Bar
code to the pallet. An SSCC bar code can be accommodated within a 4" X
2" label.
This label format can only be
used if:
1)
If
the retailer does not require the additional information contained within the
EAN/UCC Common Label Format.
e.g.
Cross Docking
Example of simple SSCC
bar code label
|
SSCC
(00) 0 00 12345 555555555 8
|
For
more detailed information please refer to the ECCC publications Application
Standards for Shipping Containers, or Barcoding
Basics For Shipping Containers.
Location:
Location
of the pallet bar code is crucial to the efficient receiving and scanning of
products.
Location guidelines are as follows:
|
Pallets
·
For
pallets and other units greater than 39” (1 meter) in height, labels
should be placed at a height between 16” (400 mm) and 32” (800 mm)
from the surface on which the pallet stands. (Currently under review)
·
The
bar code label should be no closer that 2” (50 mm) from the edge of
the vertical face.
Note:
The placement refers to
the shipping container bar code symbol itself, not the label. |
 |
Pallet Bar coding and EDI:
EDI
(Electronic Data Interchange) moves data between trading partners as a
computer-to-computer exchange. Using a public standard format, EDI improves the
flow of information between trading partners, and enables information intensive
business processes, such as flow-through distribution and continuous
replenishment.
The
Advance Ship Notice/Manifest (856) EDI transaction set and the pallet bar code
function together to tie the physical shipment of product to the electronic
information flow regarding that product.
The 856 transaction set is sent from the company shipping the product to
the company receiving that product and informs the receiver of what goods and
their quantity are contained in a particular shipment.
The SSCC bar code number is included within the 856 transaction, and
permits the receiver to match the received product to the electronic
information.
This
advanced notification of shipment and detailed shipment information permits
efficiencies to be gained in the distribution and payment of product through the
implementation of practices such as cross docking and ERS. (Evaluated Receipt
Settlement.)
For
more information on EDI and the 856 transaction set please refer to the Canadian
Food & Drug Retail and Foodservice Implementation Guideline for EDI.
This document is available from the ECCC.
Where to Get More Information:
 |
To
get more help on any of the topics in this guide or to receive the
following publications, contact:
Electronic
Commerce Council of Canada
885 Don Mills Road, Suite 301
Don Mills, Ontario
M3C 1V8
Phone: (416) 510-8039
1-800-567-7084
Fax:
(416) 510-8043
Web-sites:
www.eccc.org |
Manuals:
1.
Application Standards for Shipping Container Codes
“A
comprehensive and detailed look at shipping container marking.”
2.
Barcoding Basics for Shipping Containers
“A
fundamental and general overview of shipping container marking."
3.
Canadian
Food & Drug Retail and Foodservice Implementation Guidelines
For EDI
“An
implementation guidelines for the Grocery, Foodservice and Pharmaceutical
Industries.”