Ok, I'm an idiot.
Apparently there is a new 14 digit code to be used "real soon". Just that no one is using it yet. The new code called EAN/UCC-14 is a 13 digit number with a calculated check digit (making it 14).
The Standard, supposed to be adopted in 2005 has been in place for a long time now in the US. Any company that scans international product barcodes is already using it. Most supermarkets here in Los Angeles for example, have to scan Hispanic products from Mexico (which use the "13" digit code.
It's not 13 digits though, it's 12. The last "digit" is actually a calculated check digit used by the scanners to double check the read of the barcode.
For some reason the EAN (12 digit codes) have the check digit printed exactly the same format as the rest of the numbers, directly to the right, thus the confusion with most thinking it's 13 digits (even the supposed experts reporting this stuff).
US UPC's print the check digit in a smaller font to the right, so most think of the US code as 11 digits.
Bottom line, there is no standard 13 digit code coming out. It's 12 and has been for a long time. This is a non-story based on confusion.
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Ok, I'm an idiot. Apparently there is a new 14 digit code to be used "real soon". Just that no one is using it yet. The new code called EAN/UCC-14 is a 13 digit number with a calculated check digit (making it 14).
The Standard, supposed to be adopted in 2005 has been in place for a long time now in the US. Any company that scans international product barcodes is already using it. Most supermarkets here in Los Angeles for example, have to scan Hispanic products from Mexico (which use the "13" digit code.
It's not 13 digits though, it's 12. The last "digit" is actually a calculated check digit used by the scanners to double check the read of the barcode.
For some reason the EAN (12 digit codes) have the check digit printed exactly the same format as the rest of the numbers, directly to the right, thus the confusion with most thinking it's 13 digits (even the supposed experts reporting this stuff).
US UPC's print the check digit in a smaller font to the right, so most think of the US code as 11 digits.
Bottom line, there is no standard 13 digit code coming out. It's 12 and has been for a long time. This is a non-story based on confusion.