scope:

This International Standard

- defines minimum requirements for identifying items;

- provides guidelines for item marking with machine-readable symbols;

- covers both labels 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;

- is intended for applications which include, but are not limited to, support of systems that automate the control of items during the processes of:

- production;

- inventory;

- distribution;

- field service;

- point of sale;

- repair, and

- is intended to include, but it is not limited to, multiple industries including:

- automotive;

- aerospace;

- chemical;

- consumer items;

- electronics;

- health care;

- marine;

- rail;

- telecommunications.

The location and application method of the marking are not defined (these will be reviewed and agreed upon by suppliers and manufacturers and their trading partners before implementing this International Standard).

This International Standard does not supersede or replace any applicable safety or regulatory marking or labeling requirements. This International Standard is meant to satisfy the minimum item marking requirements of numerous applications and industry groups and as such its applicability is to a wide range of industries, each of which may have specific implementation guidelines for it. This International Standard is to be applied in addition to any other mandated labeling direct-marking requirements.

The labeling and direct marking requirement of this International Standard and other standards can be combined labeling into one label or marking area or appear as separate labels or marking areas.

This International Standard uses the terms "part marking" and "item marking" interchangeably. Unless otherwise stated, this document will use the term "item marking" to describe both the labeling and direct part marking (DPM) of an item, where DPM includes, but is not limited to, altering (e.g. dot peen, laser etch, chemical etch) as well as additive type processes (e.g. ink jet, vacuum deposition).

The purpose of this International Standard is to establish the machine-readable (linear, two dimensional, and composite symbols) and human readable content for direct marking and labeling of items, parts, and components.

This International Standard provides a means for items, parts and components to be marked, and read in either fixtured or handheld scanning environments at any manufacturer's facility and then read by customers purchasing items for subsequent manufacturing operations or for final end use. Intended applications include, but are not limited to supply chain applications, e.g. inventory, distribution, manufacturing, quality control, acquisition, transportation, supply, repair, and disposal.

The figures are illustrative and not necessarily to scale or to the quality requirements specified in this International Standard.