Date Codes, Lotting, and Variable Data

1. Consumer-facing date text is regulated in EU/UK and largely unstandardized at US federal level. EU/UK require either date of minimum durability (best before/best before end) or use by depending on safety; exact wording/order is prescribed and, for some foods, date of freezing is also required. [1, 2]
2. Lot (batch) identification is legally required in EU/UK (limited exemptions); the lot indication should be preceded by “L” unless clearly distinguishable, and the use by/DMD can serve as the lot if it shows at least day–month in that order. [3]
3. US has no single federal rule mandating standardized consumer date labels (infant formula aside). USDA‑FSIS recommends “Best if Used By”; FDA and USDA are exploring standardization, and FSMA 204 introduces traceability lot code concepts for foods on the Food Traceability List (records, not consumer date text). [4, 5, 20]
4. Encode dates & batch with GS1 AIs: (10)=Batch/Lot; (15)=Best before; (17)=Expiration; (11)=Production date. Dates in data carriers use YYMMDD; follow HRI rules. [6, 7]
5. Barcode quality matters: Typical GS1 minimum print quality is Grade 1.5 (ANSI C) under ISO/IEC 15416 (linear) / 15415 (2D); reserve quiet zones and avoid low‑contrast backgrounds. [8, 9]
6. Technology selection is a design decision: CIJ vs TIJ vs TTO vs Laser differ by substrate, line speed, and contrast; capture constraints in RFQs. [10, 11]
7. 2D at POS is coming: GS1 Sunrise 2027 expects POS to accept 2D codes (e.g., GS1 DataMatrix/QR with Digital Link), enabling GTIN+date+lot in one symbol. [12]

• Lock region‑specific phrases in copy decks/templates (EU/UK: “best before/best before end/use by”; US: align with FSIS “Best if Used By”). [1, 4]
• Standardize a GS1 data plan: pick AIs by channel (POS/e‑com/logistics) and harmonize HRI strings and barcode space on dielines. [6, 7]
• Design for verification: clean, unvarnished print window; specify Grade ≥1.5 (C) and camera OCV/OCR for date/lot. [8, 9, 13]
• Choose coding tech by substrate & speed (CIJ/TIJ/TTO/laser); include consumables, uptime, contrast in RFQs. [10, 11]
• Roadmap to 2D: pilot GS1 Digital Link / GS1 DataMatrix or QR off‑POS; ensure POS readiness by 2027. [12]

• US label text drift as FDA/USDA consider standardization. [5]
• Retailer 2D requirements accelerate; artworks may need redesign. [12]
• Coding failures from low contrast/varnish/emboss textures; mitigate with print windows and inspection. [8, 13]

• GS1 Sunrise 2027: retail POS acceptance of 2D by end‑2027; pilot now. [12]
• US date label standardization under discussion; monitor for updates. [5]

• Reserve a print window: unprinted/varnish‑free, high contrast; follow GS1 placement/quiet zones. Designer tip: note “NO VARNISH / NO EMBOSS / LIGHT BACKGROUND” on the coding zone. [21, 8]
• Keep HRI legible: OCR‑B recommended; do not restyle bracketed AIs; place HRI near symbol. [15, 22]
• Date formats: EU/UK consumer text follows prescribed wording/order; encoded dates use YYMMDD. Avoid printing YYMMDD to consumers unless required. [1, 6]
• Verification: specify ISO grade ≥1.5 and aperture/wavelength where relevant (e.g., 1.5/06/660 for POS linear). [8]
• On‑line inspection: for inkjet/laser alphanumeric dates, use OCV/OCR to verify presence/legibility and prevent missing codes. [23, 24]

• Films with barrier: choose CO₂ laser wavelength appropriately (e.g., 9.3 µm PET; 10.2 µm PP) and control depth. [17]
• Curved PET bottles: CIJ often wins; maintain print distance/orientation; reserve matte panel. [10]
• Cartonboard + varnish: knock out varnish; TIJ or laser for crisp text.
• Multiple lanes: TIJ can drive multiple small heads from one controller. [26]

Provide: x‑dimension/height, symbol type, AI set, HRI content/location, window size & finish, target grade, substrate, line speed, print tolerances, and inspection plan (OCV/OCR + reject logic).

• Print‑ready date/lot: wording (region‑correct), placement, knockout window, carrier choice, AI set, HRI content/location, quiet zones, min grade, verifier report, substrate & coding tech confirmed, camera OCV settings, sample approvals.
• EU/UK foods: “best before/best before end” vs “use by” decision; date of freezing where required; lot present with “L” (or DMD/use by serving as lot with day–month). [1, 3]
• US FSMA 204: FTL applicability, traceability lot code format, KDEs/CTEs captured, record retention and access procedures. [20]

• Choose consumer date phrase (EU/UK) → Highly perishable with rapid safety risk? → Yes: “use by”. No: “best before/best before end”. [1, 2]
• Choose data carrier → Need GTIN+date+lot in small area or future POS 2D? → Yes: GS1 DataMatrix/GS1 QR (Digital Link). Else: GS1‑128 for logistics; EAN/UPC + inkjet HRI for POS today. [12]

1. Linear symbol width ≈ (X × N modules) + 2 × quiet zone; quiet zone (GS1‑128) ≥ 10×X. Inputs: X, modules, quiet‑zone multiplier. Output: required width. [18]
2. DataMatrix symbol size ≈ (Nmodules × X) + (2×X quiet zones). Inputs: payload → symbol size table, X. Output: mm width/height. [20]
3. HRI length estimator → digits + parentheses + spaces; ensure legible font (e.g., ≥2.5–3.0 mm x‑height as practice); test. [15, 22]

Region & category; legal date phrase; date granularity; AIs; carrier; X‑dimension target; quiet zone; min grade; coding tech; substrate; window finish; verification plan (aperture, wavelength, grading, OCV); samples & approvals.