Product Identification Code
From Scandia
A product identification code (PIC) is a 13-digit number that is unique to each trade item sold at retail. It is in near universal use across Scandia in the form of a barcode which is scanned at the point of sale to display the cost. In most cases, the seller's inventory records are automatically adjusted to accurately reflect stock on hand and determine optimum restocking times.
The International Trade Agency (ITA) of the World Economic Organization (WEO) developed the PIC concept and maintains the standards for it. Officially, the program is the World Economic Product Identification Code Scheme (WE-PICS).
Encoding
A PIC's thirteen digits fall into five distinct categories despite the fact the barcode displays them in three sets.
Prefix
The single-digit prefix identifies the nature of the item.
- 0 for discount coupons, refunds, or other credit transactions
- 1 for medicaments and pharmaceuticals
- 2 is reserved for local use such as locally packaged products like a fruit basket assembled by a grocer
- 3 designates a non-tangible service
- 4 for items sold by weight or other measurement, such as meat, fruits, and petrol (gasoline)
- 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 are all used for tangible goods
Country Code
The two-digit country code is the same as the Telecommunications Country Codes developed and administered by the International Telecommunications Coordination Agency (ITCA).
Establishment Code
Normally, the establishment code is five digits long, but WE-PICS permits both four or six digit codes. Longer or shorter establishment codes conversely shorten or lengthen the product code. The ITA does not assign establishment codes, which are left to the discretion of national trade officials.
Product Code
In addition to goods, services are also given a product code, typically consisting of five digits. If a longer or shorter establishment code is used in the PIC, then the product code is adjusted accordingly. As with establishment codes, the ITA does not assign product codes.
Check Digit
The final digit of the PIC is a checksum digit to permit computer systems to validate the data sent to them is accurate. The checksum is calculated by adding the bits that represent each digit in the PIC.
