EAN Definition
EAN (European Article Number) is a standardized product identifier, typically 13 digits long, encoded in the barcode printed on retail products sold in Europe and much of the world outside North America.
Despite the name, the EAN is not limited to Europe. It is part of the global GS1 identification system and is technically a form of GTIN — specifically GTIN-13. The terms EAN and GTIN-13 refer to the same number.
How is an EAN structured?
A standard EAN-13 consists of three parts: a GS1 company prefix assigned to the manufacturer or brand owner, an item reference the company assigns to each product, and a final check digit calculated from the preceding twelve digits to catch typing and scanning errors. A shorter 8-digit version (EAN-8) exists for small packages where a full barcode does not fit.
How does an EAN differ from a UPC or SKU?
- UPC — the 12-digit North American equivalent; any UPC can be converted to an EAN by adding a leading zero
- SKU — an internal code a retailer or seller invents for its own inventory; unlike an EAN, it is not standardized and has no meaning outside that company
- ASIN — Amazon's own product identifier, usually linked to an EAN or UPC during listing
Why does it matter for product data?
Marketplaces and retailers use the EAN to match listings to a single, unambiguous product. A missing or incorrect EAN is one of the most common reasons a product listing is rejected or matched to the wrong item. In a PIM system, the EAN is typically a required attribute validated before data is published to any channel.
