ISO 15394:2017

Overview

ISO 15394:2017 - "Packaging - Bar code and two-dimensional symbols for shipping, transport and receiving labels" is an international standard that defines the minimum requirements for designing shipping/transport/receiving labels. It specifies how to encode data using linear bar codes and two-dimensional (2D) symbols, how to present the same data in human‑readable form, and how to ensure traceability of transport units using a unique transport unit identifier (licence plate). The standard covers label formatting, symbology selection, quality requirements, placement, size, free text/graphics guidance, and label material selection. It is not applicable to direct printing onto kraft‑coloured corrugated surfaces.

Key Topics and Technical Requirements

• Data content & structure: Defines mandatory and optional data elements (e.g., unique transport unit identifier, ship‑to/ship‑from, keys to carrier/customer databases) and guidance on concatenating data fields.
• Data carriers: Guidance on use of linear bar codes and 2D symbols, plus human‑readable representation and translation considerations.
• Symbology and quality: Recommends appropriate barcode symbologies and specifies quality requirements to support automated scanning and carrier sortation systems.
• Label design: Minimum requirements and recommendations for layout, label dimensions, text size, and the inclusion of free text and graphics.
• Label placement & material: Guidance for placement on transport packages, unit loads (pallets) and other transport units; considerations for label materials and durability.
• Interoperability: Advice on using standardized identifiers and concatenation methods such as GS1 Application Identifiers (AIs) and ANSI MH10.8.2 Data Identifiers (DIs) to link scanned labels to electronic data (EDI).
• Supporting information: Informative annexes provide practical examples, location recommendations, design templates, and considerations for multi‑symbology environments.

Applications and Who Uses ISO 15394

ISO 15394 is designed for organizations involved in the physical distribution and traceability of goods, including:

• Logistics and supply chain managers
• Carriers and parcel/express operators
• Warehouse and materials handling teams
• Packaging engineers and label designers
• ERP/EDI and WMS integrators
• Label and printer manufacturers Use cases include automated sortation and tracking, linking physical transport units to electronic records, improving scan rates in logistics operations, and creating consistent cross‑industry shipping labels.

Related Standards

• ISO 22742 - guidance for product packaging (complements ISO 15394)
• ISO 17365 - use of RFID on shipping/transport units
• ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 31 - barcode and automatic identification technologies (technical reference)
• GS1 and ANSI MH10.8.2 conventions for data identifiers and application identifiers

Keywords: ISO 15394:2017, shipping labels, transport labels, barcode, 2D symbols, transport unit identifier, label design, label placement, traceability, GS1, ANSI MH10.8.2.