International Article Number (EAN)
![GTIN-13 number encoded in EAN-13 barcode. The first digit is always placed outside the symbol; additionally a right](/Images/godic/202501/12/EAN-13-5901234123457.svg5559.png")
![Encoding EAN-13](/Images/godic/202501/12/Codering_EAN-13_new.svg5559.png")
![Encoding L-digits](/Images/godic/202501/12/EAN-L5559.png")
![Encoding G-digits](/Images/godic/202501/12/EAN-G5559.png")
The International Article Number (EAN) (also known as European Article Number, which technically refers to EAN-13) is a 13-digit barcode symbology, which is a superset of the original 12-digit Universal Product Code (UPC) (also known as UPC-A), developed in 1970 by George J. Laurer.