Today, global industries widely use machine-readable markings, such as bar codes, on products for inventory control, quality control, and product life cycle management. Common technologies, data structures, conformance, and applications standards are necessary to enable all trading partners to draw the maximum benefits from such markings both internally and along the supply chain.

The purpose of the new ISO 28219:2009, Packaging � Labelling and direct product marking with linear bar code and two-dimensional symbols is to define the machine-readable (linear, two dimensional, and composite symbols) and human readable content, as well as the physical characteristics of the symbols for direct marking and labeling of items, parts, and components. The International Standard:

- Defines minimum requirements for identifying items

- Provides guidelines for item marking with machine-readable symbols

- Covers both label and direct marking of items

- Includes testing procedures for label adhesive characteristics and mark durability

- Provides guidance for the formatting on the label of data presented in linear bar code, two-dimensional symbol or human readable form.

Mr. Hirokuni Ono, Chair of ISO technical committee ISO/TC 122, Packaging,comments: "A number of different product labelling and marking standards exist, each designed to meet the requirements of a specific industry sector. For effective and economic use within and between industry sectors, one common multi-industry standard such as ISO 28219:2009 is a necessity. A standard linear bar code or two-dimensional symbol marked on a product or part will facilitate the automation of inventory control, quality control, and product life cycle management. "

Useful in various areas such as production, inventory, distribution, field services, point of sales, repair and in multiple industries: automotive, aerospace, chemical, consumer items, electronics, health care, marine, rail, telecommunications, the linear bar code or two-dimensional symbol information on the product may be used as a key to access the appropriate database that contains detailed information about the product, including information transmitted via EDI (Electronic Data Interchange). In addition, the marking may contain other information as agreed between trading partners.

(Source: http://www.iso.org)