GS1 Composite

A GS1 Composite symbol pairs a linear component with a two-dimensional component printed directly above it, so that one label satisfies two populations of reader at once. The linear part is an EAN/UPC, GS1-128, or GS1 DataBar symbol carrying the GTIN, which installed scanners already read; the component above it carries Application Identifier data such as batch, serial number, and expiry date for readers that support the format. Three variants exist, designated CC-A, CC-B, and CC-C, with CC-C reaching 338 alphanumeric characters. GS1 defined the structure in 2001. Quiet zone requirements follow the linear component, and the nominal X-dimension is 0.264 mm. Healthcare and fresh food specify composites most often, because legacy checkout equipment and serialisation mandates coexist there.