How many digits typically does an EAN contain?

The correct answer is that an EAN (European Article Number) typically contains 13 digits. The EAN system is used to uniquely identify products in the retail and logistics sector, enabling efficient tracking and management of inventory. The 13-digit format allows for a wide range of unique identifiers that can represent various products from different manufacturers.

The first part of an EAN is the country code, which indicates where the product was registered, followed by the manufacturer code, and a product code which is unique to that specific item. An optional checksum digit is also included, which helps in verifying the authenticity of the number when scanned.

This standardized approach makes it easier for businesses and consumers to identify products accurately and streamline transactions at points of sale. While there are variations in barcode formatting, such as UPC codes which typically contain 12 digits, the standard EAN used widely in Europe is the 13-digit system.