QUESTIONS relating to obtaining lists of assigned numbers
Section 1, Question #1 - Since I answered the question asked most often -- "where one can obtain a list of all U.P.C. numbers assigned and the products they represent" -- several years ago, there has been considerable activity in this area. A July 2005 update follows:
Answer- GS1 US (formerly UCC) now maintains a site called GEPIR where one can enter the GTIN* number and obtain the name and address of the owner. GS1 US expects to expand this to include the product name as well.
*The GTIN number is the globally unique EAN.UCC System identification number for products and services. A Global Trade Item Number may be 8, 12, 13, or 14 digits in length using the EAN/UCC-8, UCC-12, EAN/UCC-13, or EAN/UCC-14 Data Structure respectively. The GTIN number is commonly called the U.P.C. number.
I have listed a few links below that will look up a U.P.C. code for no charge. Others in the listing provide a complete list, usually for a fee. The sites, their contents, and completeness change constantly. I have not checked these site in quite awhile so if you should find one that doesn't work, or has expired, please let me know.
Some sites are more complete than others. Some will return the manufacturer's name and address if it can't find the product, while others may simply not respond. These sites are quite dynamic and therefore I cannot suggest one as being best.
Defense Logistics Agency The Naval Supply Systems Command site was constructed in conjunction with the Universal Code Council.
Universal Product Code Database
A few commercial services supply databases for a fee.
GE Information Systems. UPC*Express (a division of GEIS) has an on-line database of UPC numbers you can access for a fee. 1-800-Database sells a database of UPC product codes.
One can buy a CD-ROM with a UPC listing at Internet UPC Database maintained by Robert Ford.
Section 1, Question #2 - Quite often I am asked where one can obtain a list of all U.P.C. numbers assigned and the products they represent? 4/2/00
Answer- The GS1 US assigns only the manufacturer's number (first six digits except when the first digit is 1, 8, or 9. The manufacturer then assigns the item number to the products. The method of cataloging is left to the manufacture. The manufacturer is responsible for communicating this information to his retailers and others who need to know in order for them to conduct business.
Section 1 Question #3- I would like to know if it is possible to find all the total U.P.C. codes for a specific product, such as a record company? 10/8/98
Answer- Most record companies are assigned numbers in the "0" or "4" system number (1st digit) categories. In these categories (or formats), the Uniform Code Council assigns and manages the manufacture number which is the first five data digits. The next five data digits are the item number and is assigned and managed by the manufacture. They can skip, retire, or reuse numbers as they see fit. I know of no group that officially maintains a list of all numbers, although I have seen links on the web to such lists. The GS1 US is working toward this.
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If anyone sends me a question pertaining to the U.P.C. symbol, history, or the like, which can be answered concisely via e-mail, I will send the answer to their mail box and post both question and answer of some of them here.
I truly enjoy helping people, however, it would be nice if you send a "thank you"
e-mail if I am of help!
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George J. Laurer
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Revised: July 2005