Electronic Commerce Council of Canada Provides Bar Code Compliance Guidance

February 1, 2005

The ECCC effort coincides with the Jan. 1, 2005 effective date that all Canadian and U.S. companies be capable of scanning and processing EAN-8 and EAN-13 symbols, in addition to 12-digit U.P.C. symbols, at point-of-sale. With this initiative, known as 2005 Sunrise, products imported from Europe and elsewhere no longer require re-packaging or re-bar-coding for the North American market.

"The large majority of Canadian retailers have already transitioned their systems to comply with 2005 Sunrise meaning that their bar code systems can process EAN-8 and EAN-13 symbols in addition to the U.P.C. symbols, so consumers are experiencing a seamless transition," said Nigel Wood, director of industry relations, ECCC.

The ECCC has produced the following list for retailers, manufacturers and consumers about 2005 Sunrise:

Manufacturers using the 12-digit U.P.C. are not required to change to the EAN-8 or EAN-13 symbology;
2005 Sunrise was implemented to harmonize trade between North American and international retailers and manufacturers so that products imported from Europe and elsewhere no longer require re-packaging or re-bar coding for the North American market;
Retailers modifying their systems to accommodate EAN-8 and EAN-13 bar code should consider expanding their systems to also accept 14-digit structures already being used globally;
Consumers will not experience any problems at the cash register when purchasing retail items;
Manufacturers and distributors using EAN-8 and EAN-13 bar code symbols are encouraged to check that their retailer partners' database systems can accept all symbologies;
Retailers can follow the "2005 Sunrise Preparedness Checklist" found at www.eccc.org/sunrise2005
ECCC will change its name to GS1 Canada in June 2005.

Source: Electronic Commerce Council of Canada.