The SSCC is a unique number with which you can identify specific logistic units. It is used for shipping and receiving products and is commonly used in EDI messages. This guide will give you an overview of how to create a logistic label incorporating an SSCC.
Using logistics labels for tracking pallets and logistic units is an effective and essential part of supply chain management. The label incorporates the SSCC, a unique serial number allocated to individual pallets for identification purposes. GS1 logistics labels enable you to present information in a standard format which is internationally recognised. It uses GS1-128 barcodes to represent the SSCC on a label, along with specific details about the contents of the logistics unit.
Information about the logistic unit such as the content, quantities, supplier and date of delivery and the SSCC itself would normally be sent by EDI so that the receiving party has information in advance of the logistic unit arriving.
These labels can also be used on any units that are transported between companies, for example, drums of chemicals, rolls of fabric or paper, pallets of raw materials, part pallets, individual traded units and so on.
Benefits
The SSCC provides a unified method for uniquely identifying logistics units, making it simpler to track and trace products through the supply chain. You can also use GS1 standards to provide information about the contents of each unit, which can be used in any trade and industry sector.
The benefits of using SSCCs and GS1 logistics units include the following:
One label that’s used throughout the supply chain.
Improved control procedures in warehousing and distribution.
Unique identification for standard and non-standard pallets.
A consistent link with EDI business messages.
Minimised labelling costs through the use of international standards.
Automation and efficient handling of transport units and their contents.
Increased speed of processing deliveries.
Improved control procedures in warehousing and distribution.
Creating the SSCC
The SSCC, sometimes known as ‘the license plate’, provides a unique identifier for each logistics unit. It contains no information about the logistics unit’s contents but provides instead a link to systems where the information is held.
The SSCC is an 18-digit number that is created from a GS1 Company Prefix. SSCCs are normally allocated by the company assembling the logistics unit, and they are also responsible for ensuring their uniqueness.
You are able to reuse SSCCs 12 months after they were last allocated, although you will find that each prefix generates so many numbers that there is probably no need to re-use them.
Depending on the length of your company prefix, the 18 digits are structured as follows:
- Extension Digit. This can be any value between 0 and 9 and allows you to create more SSCCs.
- GS1 Company Prefix This is allocated to you when you join GS1 UK and is available in My Numberbank when you login.This number is between six and nine digits in length.
- Serial Number. Each individual pallet requires a different serial number. The length of this number depends on the length of your GS1 company prefix.
- Check Digit. The last digit is calculated from the previous 17 digits. The calculation is the same as the calculation used for other GS1 identifiers, such as GTINs and GLNs.
Using SSCCs
The SSCC can only be shown in a GS1-128 barcode and the Application Identifier (AI) 00 always represents and SSCC. AIs can be two-, three- or four- digit numbers that specify the number that follow them in a GS1-128 barcode - by international agreement.
Details of the contents of a logistics unit, such as the GTINs of the products on the pallet (e.g. their quantity, batch number or expiry date), can also be shown. AIs, just like SSCCs, are internationally recognised by all companies along the supply chain.
Wherever possible, different sets of information is joined together (a process known as 'concatenation') in one symbol. This ensures the most effective use of the space available.
Business messaging
Companies using SSCCs to identify their logistics units can send details of each logistic unit to their trading partners before it arrives.
These Electronic data interchange (EDI) business messages can be processed automatically, so when the units arrive, the barcodes on the labels can be scanned and the SSCCs for each pallet can be matched to the information sent in advance.
Application Identifiers (AI)
The GS1 System provides over 200 application identifiers, including some which have been tailored for specialised applications.
The most commonly used are shown below:
| AI | Description | Data title |
|---|---|---|
| 00 | Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC) | SSCC |
| 01 | Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) | GTIN |
| 02 | Identification of trade items contained in a logistic unit | CONTENT |
| 10 | Batch or lot number | BATCH/LOT |
| 11 | Production date (YYMMDD) | PROD DATE |
| 15 | Best before date (YYMMDD) | BEST BEFORE or BEST BY |
| 17 | Expiration date (YYMMDD) | USE BY or EXPIRY |
Please note: It is not possible to provide information about mixed/pick pallets by using AIs with GS1-128 barcodes as AI can only be used once on any label.
There are rules about how AIs can be used together. Some, for instance, must always be used with other specific AIs, such as best before dates with GTINs.
Further information and the full list of AIs can be found in Section 3 of the GS1 General Specifications.
There is no limit to the number of GS1-128 barcodes that can be used on a GS1 logistics label.
The format of the GS1 logistics label
Most companies use an A5 label (148 mm x 210 mm) so that extra information may be included. Any label may be used as required – the GS1 General Specifications do not specify a standard size.
The logistics label can be used on any unit although it is typically used on a pallet. Two labels should be attached to adjacent sides: one on the short side and the other on the long right-hand side.
For units taller than 1,000 mm, place the label so that the barcodes are no higher than 800 mm and no lower than 400 mm above the floor.
For units lower than 1,000 mm, place the label as high as possible but make sure that the barcodes are no higher than 800 mm and no lower than 32 mm from the base of the unit.
The edge of a barcode (including the ‘light margins’) should also be no closer than 50 mm to a vertical edge of the logistics unit.
The label has three sections that allow you to provide information about the logistics unit as well as data that is defined by the GS1 System.
1. Top section - company name, logo or any other information.
2. Middle section - the SSCC for the logistics unit and any extra information that may be defined using the AI standards. This is shown in a human readable form.
3. Lower section - GS1-128 barcodes with the encoded data shown beneath each barcode. The SSCC should always be shown in the lowest barcode on the label.
The GS1 Logistic Label Guideline provides an overview of the rules and best practice recommendations for label implementation.