In industrial production, product quality is determined not only by the production line itself but also by the information engraved on the product. Serial numbers, batch codes, production and expiration dates, and barcodes or QR codes are not only informative but also a legal requirement . To comply with international standards (ISO, GS1, etc.) and industry regulations, this information must be encoded on the product in an accurate, readable, and permanent format.
So, how should a product be coded in accordance with regulations? This process involves many technical components, from the substrate used to production line speed, from technology selection to data management. In this article, Electrojet Technology why a proper coding system is essential for regulatory compliance and quality assurance .
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Why is Legal and ISO Compliant Coding Required?
In many industries, including food, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, chemicals, defense, automotive, and more, product coding is not only a quality factor but also legal requirement . Manufacturers must be able to document when, where, and under what conditions their products were manufactured, and if necessary, be able to trace the entire chain backwards.
This requirement is directly related to the "traceability" principle of the ISO 9001 Quality Management System. Furthermore, barcode structures compatible with the GS1 system, EU regulations, FDA standards, or local agriculture and health ministry regulations require clear, indelible, and readable data coding on the product.
Moreover, this coding directly to the product or packaging surface . This means the coding technology must not only be printable, but also printable with the right technology, in the right place, and with the right content
What Technologies Are Used for Legally Compliant Coding?
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Inkjet Coding (CIJ & TIJ)
Electrojet's inkjet systems integrate with various production lines and dynamically print variable data. They are the most preferred solution in industries such as food, beverage, cosmetics, packaging, and building materials.
CIJ (Continuous Inkjet) systems, in particular, enable high-speed lines to print production dates, expiration dates, lot numbers, and serial numbers with excellent contrast. TIJ (Thermal Inkjet) systems are ideal for printing barcodes and QR codes at higher resolutions.
Advantages:
- Barcode and data matrix printing in accordance with GS1 standards
- Fast-drying, solvent- or pigment-based ink options
- UV visibility, custom character sets, variable data processing capabilities
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Laser Coding
Laser coding systems are particularly preferred on durable surfaces such as metal, glass, and hard plastic. Instead of using ink, permanent markings are created by changing the physical structure of the surface.
Laser systems are generally the pharmaceutical, electronics, automotive and white goods sectors to comply with standards such as ISO 11607 and ISO 13485.
Advantages:
- Permanent, indelible and wear-resistant marking
- Consumable-free operation
- Sensitive data processing such as 2D code and serial number
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Labeling and Thermal Transfer Printing
In some cases, thermal transfer printers or labeling systems are preferred for coding on product packaging rather than on the product itself. However, these solutions are generally suitable for secondary packaging and may be inadequate in industries requiring data directly on the product.
Things to Consider for Compatibility During the Coding Process
It's not just about choosing the right technology; it's also about ensuring the entire process complies with legal requirements. With Electrojet expertise, the following points should be considered:
- Coding Format: GS1 data structures, EAN/UPC codes, 2D DataMatrix, or QR codes must be used in accordance with standards. Number of characters, data type, and order are important.
- Printing Position: The printing area on the product must be predefined and the device must print at this location with 100% accuracy at each production time.
- Readability Test: Each code must be high-contrast, non-diffusing, and machine-scannable. Readability tests must be conducted in accordance with ISO/IEC 15415 and 15416 standards.
- Automatic Data Feed: Coding systems that work integrated with your ERP system eliminate data entry errors and increase consistency.
- Print Recording and Traceability: Coding systems provide a great advantage during ISO audits as they digitally record and report each production batch.
100% Legal Compliance, 100% Production Speed with Electrojet
Electrojet Technology not only offers hardware-based marking solutions tailored to your industry; it also develops system architectures to ensure regulatory compliance. All our devices support ISO-compliant data formats, can encode according to GS1 and FDA regulations, and can integrate with ERP systems.
Our devices operate uninterruptedly on high-speed lines, providing control at every stage from production to the quality control department with automatic cleaning, minimum maintenance requirements and cloud-based data control systems.
Coding is No Longer Just a Tool of Control, It's a Tool of Repression
Product coding is no longer an aesthetic complement to production, a legal and quality assurance requirement . ISO standards, industry regulations, and global trade systems require manufacturers to print traceable, accurate, readable, and systematic information on their products.
Electrojet eliminates the technical details of this process for you, leaving you to focus only on your production.
