{"id":2093,"date":"2026-04-27T12:32:55","date_gmt":"2026-04-27T12:32:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanta.com\/precision-medicine\/?p=2093"},"modified":"2026-05-12T11:59:33","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T11:59:33","slug":"3-iso-barcode-standards-explained","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanta.com\/precision-medicine\/articles\/3-iso-barcode-standards-explained\/","title":{"rendered":"3 ISO Barcode Standards Explained"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Barcode
Macro view of blue barcodes with selective focus effect<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Barcode patterns have to follow pre-set symbology specifications in order to be read. If certain barcode standards aren\u2019t met due to poor printing, lack of contrast, or incorrect dimensions, the codes are unverifiable and can\u2019t be read by barcode scanners<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All barcodes are verified against ISO standards, developed to ensure universal consistency so that all codes can be reliably decoded at the point of use. In this article, JADAK outlines the three main ISO barcode standards, how they can be met, and the types of barcode that each standard applies to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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TALK TO AN ENGINEER<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

What are ISO Barcode Grading Standards?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

ISO barcode grading standards are grading criteria determined by the International Organization for Standardization. These standards are in place to ensure barcodes meet quality levels and can be scanned reliably at different end points, including in retail<\/a> and logistics<\/a> settings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are currently only 3 ISO standards that are applicable to barcode quality and verification. These include ISO\/IEC 15416 for 1D barcodes, ISO\/IEC 15415 for 2D barcodes, and ISO\/IEC TR 29158 for DPM (Direct Part Marking) barcodes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ISO Standard<\/strong><\/td>Barcode Type<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
ISO\/IEC 15416<\/a><\/td>1D label-based<\/td><\/tr>
ISO\/IEC 15415<\/a><\/td>2D label-based<\/td><\/tr>
ISO\/IEC TR 29158<\/a><\/td>2D DPM (Direct Part Marking)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Barcodes are graded against different parameters pertaining to their ability to be scanned, and are assigned grades A \u2013 F.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ISO\/IEC 15416 barcode standard<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Applicable to:<\/strong> 1D label-based barcodes<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is a 1D Barcode?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A 1D, or one-dimensional, barcode (also known as a linear barcode) is the most widely recognized barcode in use. These barcodes consist of vertical lines and spaces that vary in diameter, and hold encoded data that is read horizontally from left to right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1D barcodes only contain alphanumeric data, and can hold up to 85 characters. They are typically used for product packaging, where they will be used to store product IDs, prices, serial numbers, and other crucial product information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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ISO Grading Parameters for 1D Barcodes<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

1D barcodes are made up of 10 scan lines, each of which is graded using the ISO\/IEC 15416 standard to determine an overall grade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The following parameters are measured against the ISO standard and assigned a pass or fail grading. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Parameters<\/strong><\/td>Detail Assessed<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Minimum Reflectance<\/td>If the bars are dark enough to meet ratio requirements<\/td><\/tr>
Decode<\/td>If the code can be read using the standard reference decode algorithm<\/td><\/tr>
Minimum Edge Contrast<\/td>The color distinction between bars and spaces<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If the barcode achieves a pass for all 3 parameters, the grading software then assesses several more areas, awarding each scan line a grade from A to F. The final grades are then collated to deliver a final overall grade for the barcode.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Parameters<\/strong><\/td>Detail Assessed<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Symbol Contrast<\/td>Contrast of dark and light areas of the barcode<\/td><\/tr>
Decodability<\/td>Whether the bar and space widths are accurate<\/td><\/tr>
Defects<\/td>Any markings or print errors<\/td><\/tr>
Modulation<\/td>Local variations in contrast<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n


ISO\/IEC 15415 Barcode Standard<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Applicable to:<\/strong> 2D label-based codes<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is a 2D Barcode?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A 2D barcode is a two-dimensional barcode that contains information on the horizontal and vertical axis. They can contain more data than traditional black and white lined barcodes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Examples of 2D barcodes include:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n