JCPenney Barcode Testing Center

JCPenney GS1-128 & RFID Certification FAQ's
Q. Do all JCPenney suppliers need to have GS1-128 labels certified?
	The JCPenney barcode requirements are applicable to all suppliers.
Q. Which formats are JCPenney suppliers required to certify?
	For GS1-128 shipping labels, suppliers should provide certify each format they intend to use when shipping merchandise to JCPenney. Retail, Catalog, Furniture (DFW), Liquidation, Custom Decorating. For RFID tags, suppliers need to certify each format they intend to use, depending on the type of product.
Q. We have multiple ship/production locations which use identical printedlabels, do we need to send in samples from all the locations?
	Yes. Test samples for both GS1-128 and RFID are required from all ship/production locations. Due to differences in material, equipment, software, and training, it is very common for differences in print quality and compliance. Certification by ship location. tagging location illustrates your company's comprehensive ability to meet JCPenney barcode and RFID requirements.
Q. If we are using a service bureau, does my company still need to certify?
	Yes. Supplier certification for both GS1-128 and RFID serves multiple purposes. Most importantly, JCPenney wants each supplier ship point/tagging location to demonstrate their ability to comply with JCPenney’s requirements. Every certified sample is archived for future comparison against future barcode/RFID tags which JCPenney deems to be non-compliant. The data structures for both RFID and GS1-128 utilize GS1 Company Prefixes and a component of certification involves Prefix validation and positioning. During the registration process, primary and secondary (optional) contacts are requested so communications involving future supply chain disruptions may be communicated to the appropriate individual(s) within each company.
Q. Can we send in mockup test samples?
	No. Actual live samples are mandatory. In order to evaluation compliance, only actual cartons labels must be submitted for testing.
Q. What is the turnaround for test results?
	Suppliers should receive e-mail results within 3 business days of receipt at Bar Code Graphics. Payment by check may delay results by 24 hours.
Q. How do I know if my test submissions were received?
	We recommend suppliers send sample submissions using a shipping method which enables shipment tracking and delivery. Once a package is received and the Testing Agreement is processed, the primary listed contact will receive an e-mail notification indicating the samples are in the process of being evaluated. Please do not call Bar Code Graphics checking to see if your package has been received, unless it has been more than 24 hours since your tracking information indicated a package was delivered.
Q. Why are multiple contacts listed?
	Aside from Certification, Bar Code Graphics, Inc. also reviews all GS1-128 and RFID non-compliant issues, if they should arise. In order to enable a supplier to correct a problem, we ask for the appropriate contacts within an organization so the problem can hopefully be corrected quickly.
Q. If a particular submission does not pass certification, how will I know I to rectify the problem(s)?
	Evaluation which do not pass certification will be accompanied by an issue summary, a ANSI/ISO print quality scan report (for barcode issues), RFID encodation analysis (for RFID tags only), a digital image, and corrective actions which need to be taken to correct stated compliance issues. Suppliers are required to re-submit samples until a particular label or RFID tag format is deemed certified.