Atlanta — The ECIA’s Global Industry Practices Committee (GIPC) is pleased to announce the publication of its EIGP 114 Rev A Labeling Standard, ‘Labeling Specification for Product and Shipment Identification in the Electronics Industry - 2D Barcode (Including Human Readable and 1D Barcode).” This milestone represents the culmination of several years of work by the GIPC committee identifying and standardizing the common requirements of distributors and end customers, which has allowed the creation of standardized formats that suppliers can use with all of their ECIA trading partners. These specifications further refine the use of ANSI MH10 Data Identifiers and are intended to bring usage into closer alignment with the existing standards.

This 55-page document suggests recommendations for symbology(s), dimensions, print quality, standardized sets of data, and data identifiers, as well as specific barcode placement for each applicable level of labeling applications used in the electronic component supply chain.

“2D barcoding has proven very effective in applications where it’s been implemented,” according to the introduction to the standard. “Benefits include single barcode scans, improved data accuracy, and increased efficiency. Because of the design of the 2D symbology, more information can be included on the labels. With the increasing requirements to add attributes (RoHS, REACH, etc.) to labels, the ability to add more information will become ever more important.”

“The GIPC is very proud to offer this important work to the broader industry,” added ECIA Vice President of Industry Practices Don Elario. “We know the adoption of 2D barcode labeling has brought a new level of documented efficiency and cost savings to the electronic component supply chain. GIPC spent 10+ years implementing the original document as a specification which was used and developed over that time with many distributors and manufacturers. Now it has reached a point of maturity where it has become an EIA Standard to continue its adoption globally.”

This document, along with all other ECIA standards, may be purchased from the ECIA Standards Store, hosted by Accuris. ECIA members receive a discount on standards purchased as part of their membership.

ECIA, through its EIA Standards Committee (ESC), provides a unique forum for the discussion of technical issues and development of industry standards that drive the manufacture, application and use of electronic component products and systems on a global basis. These voluntary industry standards carry the “EIA Standards” trademark and are developed in accordance with, and accredited by, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). In addition, EIA Standards Committees have the flexibility to produce guidelines, handbooks and other documents to address industry issues when the formal standards process is not required.