Barcode Verification Reports

A low cost, high-quality alternative to GS1

Getting your barcodes tested quickly is crucial to ensure you hit launch deadlines and maximise time on shelf. SKUvantage also performs barcode verification for just $25 per product, compared to the standard GS1 rate of $33. A welcome saving in these challenging times!

Watch this video to see how straightforward it is to save time, money & hassle with self-barcode verification.

Start saving time and money today!

Save $$$ on barcode verification fees, particularly  if you are not a GS1 member

SKUvantage has been providing barcode verification services since 2016. We charge just $25 for a barcode verification report, whether you are a client of ours or not. For urgent requirements, there is the option of having these delivered as a “Fast track” for a small premium. Numerous vendors, large and small, have made the switch to our service. To learn more, just fill in the form below.

 

Please see the below policy changes which have been spearheaded by SKUvantage to help our clients save cost and effort. We have partnered with Cobra Systems and Intermax, the resellers of the Axicon barcode verification hardware, to provide guidance on how our clients can do barcode verification themselves.

Save even more money…

Policy Changes

With the 2020 change in retailers’ policies relating to barcode verification (see changes below), it is now possible for vendors to perform this process themselves or choose another provider other than GS1 Australia. This could save vendors significant time, cost and effort. This could also help get your products to shelf faster and simplify your internal product launch processes.

The process of barcode verification to the necessary retailer standard takes 5-10mins at most and is not complex. In every other market in the world it is perfectly common for vendors to do this themselves or for a variety of service providers to offer this service. Information on how to do a barcode verification is available here.

January 2020: Interim Reports No Longer Required

Confirmation has been received from the three major retailers that Interim Verification reports are not mandatory, though may be requested by Woolworths under certain circumstances. Interim reports provide minimal useful information, and do not prove a product will scan in the supply chain. In our opinion and the industry experts we have discussed this with, they are largely pointless, and just add unnecessary cost and administration for vendors. To understand what can be checked by an “interim report”, and do this yourself without sending product or artwork anywhere, click here.

This change will save the industry millions of dollars per year, in barcode verification fees, courier costs and admin effort. Combined with SKUvantage’s 25% lower BVR cost, this could reduce a vendor’s BVR fees significantly! It could also get products to shelf faster by reducing the time of the critical path, and so result in more sales.

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Barcode Verification Reports FAQ

Barcode Verification is much more than just checking that your barcode can be scanned by a barcode scanner or that it returns with the number you expect.

Barcode verification is about checking that the barcode:

      • Will scan on all retailer barcode equipment, at
        point of sale and in the supply chain.
      • Meets all the necessary ISO standards.
      • Meets all the necessary retailer standards.

If barcodes fail to scan in the supply chain or at retail, this reduces efficiency and increases cost and may result in complaints or penalties from your customers.

Previously, all suppliers to major grocery retailers were required to use GS1 Australia to obtain barcode verification reports for their products. This involved sending one of every product and associated packaging to GS1 for scanning. This can be both costly and time consuming for vendors, and increases time to market. Paradoxically it can also reduce the likelihood of barcode scanning in the supply chain because verification is only performed once in a products packaging lifecycle, not on-going.

The major retailers have now all agreed to relax this criteria to permit any suitably trained organisation to provide these barcode verification reports. This means that vendors now have a choice to either do it themselves or choose from a range of providers such as SKUvantage to improve convenience or lower the cost. The cost savings and simplification of business processes should be significant and the investment required will pay back very quickly for anyone but the smallest vendor.

Woolworths’ vendor document can be found here. And the change is on page 9.

 

Metcash’s vendor document can be found here. And the change is on page 8.

 

Coles’ vendor document can be found here. And the change is on page 9.

Globally, vendors and other third parties do barcode verification without issue. GS1 UK for example, have produced this guide (page 24) for manufacturers about barcode verification. A number of Australian vendors have staff internally who are accredited to do their own barcode verifications. They benefit from more frequent quality checks at a lower cost, and a shorter time to market.

In terms of barcode validity, you can check ownership of barcodes here (on the GS1 database). But nothing stops someone fraudulently copying your barcode, whether provided by GS1 Australia or not.

It is necessary to be suitably trained, with the right equipment and process in order to meet the necessary requirements stipulated by retailers.

The hardware that is typically used for barcode verification is provided by Axicon, and the resellers of this hardware in Australia is Cobra Systems and Intermax. These companies are experts on barcode standards and verification processes, and provide training to a wide range of organisations.

Intermax and Cobra have put a program in place that will:

                • Assess the appropriate solution based on the needs of your business.
                • Advise and source the appropriate barcode verifier.
                • Provide training to use the verifier and meet the retailer requirements.
                • Help you maintain the quality of your process on-going.
                • Provide training to use the verifier and meet the retailer requirements.
                • Help you maintain the quality of your process on-going.

 

More reference information on barcode verification can be found at: www.barcodeverification.com.au

For more information, click here to view Barcode Technical References