How does EAN origin tracking work?

Behind every barcode on a food product lies a standardized system designed by the global organization GS1. The most widely used code in Europe is the EAN-13 code (European Article Number). It consists of 13 digits that indicate the registration country of the manufacturer.

1. Structure of an EAN Code

An EAN code is divided logically into several parts:

• Digits 1-3: The GS1 country prefix (identifies the country where the company is registered).
• Digits 4-8: The manufacturer code (unique identifier for the company).
• Digits 9-12: The product code (assigned by the manufacturer).
• Digit 13: The check digit (used to validate the barcode during a scan).

2. GS1 Prefixes of Key European Countries

Here is an overview of the primary EAN country prefixes for Europe:

GS1 Country Prefix	Country of Registration	Region
400 - 440	Germany	Europe (EU)
900 - 919	Austria	Europe (EU)
760 - 769	Switzerland	Europe
300 - 379	France	Europe (EU)
500 - 509	United Kingdom (UK)	Europe
800 - 839	Italy	Europe (EU)
840 - 849	Spain	Europe (EU)
870 - 879	Netherlands	Europe (EU)
540 - 549	Belgium & Luxembourg	Europe (EU)
590	Poland	Europe (EU)

3. Limitations of EAN Prefixes ("Made in..." vs. "Registered in...")

An important aspect to keep in mind while shopping: the GS1 prefix indicates the country where the company is registered. It does not necessarily mean the product was physically manufactured there. For instance, a German company (prefix 400) could manufacture food in South America and still print a German EAN code on the package.

4. How EuroScan solves this limitation

To provide reliable information, EuroScan utilizes an intelligent hybrid approach:

• Database Matching: We cross-reference scanned codes with GS1 databases and the Open Food Facts repository to read actual ingredient origins.
• AI Analysis (DeepSeek Integration): For unclear cases, our artificial intelligence analyzes the brand name, parent company, and corporate structure to evaluate whether the economic value remains in Europe or if it belongs to an overseas conglomerate.