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Scan product barcodes starting with 890 using Smart Consumer app and get additional product information before purchase

When a consumer walks into a retail outlet or search online to purchase a product, s(he) ignores the most important aspect of the product — its barcode number, which is printed on product labels.
These labels also comprise of some details pertaining to the product — like manufacturing date, expiry date (if it’s a consumable), batch number along with the retail product price.
Barcode numbers starting with prefix ‘890’ consists of a GS1 Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) which is a global standard widely used in the retail sector. The barcode number is linked to an external tool which holds additional information about the product that the label presents. Simply put, these barcodes link back all the information about the product all through the chain — when it was manufactured, the batch it was manufactured in, the date, the time, its packaging details, etc.
In India, the platform which acts as a national repository to accurate & authentic product information is called DataKart. Information on retail products is directly populated by brand owners, and hence trusted information. It is used by brand owners to manage information on new product introductions, updates/changes, and share the same, at one go, with several retailers and shopping portals, over the lifecycle of products. This includes information on product attributes, such as brand name, ingredients, product image, MRP, net content, dimensions, Regulatory information like FSSAI license numbers and their validity, etc.
This initiative of GS1 India has a direct consumer benefit through the mobile application called — Smart Consumer App by Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Government of India, in collaboration with GS1 India is working to empower consumers with reliable product information regarding their purchase choices. By simply scanning a 890 product barcode using the Smart Consumer mobile app on their smartphone, digital product information can be accessed by consumers to instantly learn purchase-relevant details like the product’s name, date of manufacture, MRP, net content, along with manufacturer details, consumer care details.
The consumers can download the consumer app by government from Google Play store or Apple store. Once installed, consumers can start validating digital product information for consumers by scanning its barcode. All data in Smart Consumer app is directly populated by brand owners through DataKart.
The app helps to validate/authenticate information on products and its Regulatory licenses along with their validity. The app also provides consumers with the ability to make better informed purchase decisions, especially when buying through online shopping portals, through the access to complete and trusted information on retail products, as it is directly provided by brand owners. They can also use the Smart Consumer app to give feedback on products directly to their manufacturers, and to report complaints, if any, with the manufacturer and Regulatory bodies.
Considering the pace at which the retail sector in India is expanding and changing, Industry is pushing for a nationwide adoption and implementation of these standards for products being sold in India, which could have a big impact on the sector.

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