Frequently Asked Questions
Do all JCPenney suppliers need to have their GS1-128 labels certified?
Yes. JCPenney's barcode requirements apply to all suppliers.
Which formats do JCPenney suppliers need to certify?
For GS1-128 shipping labels, certify each format you plan to use when shipping merchandise to JCPenney: Retail, Catalog, Furniture (DFW), Liquidation and Custom Decorating.
For RFID tags, certify each format you plan to use, depending on the type of product.
We ship from multiple locations that print identical labels. Do we need to send samples from every location?
Yes. GS1-128 and RFID samples are required from every ship and production location. Differences in materials, equipment, software and training commonly lead to differences in print quality and compliance. Certifying each ship and tagging location shows that your company can meet JCPenney's barcode and RFID requirements everywhere it ships from.
If we use a service bureau, does my company still need to certify?
Yes. GS1-128 and RFID certification serves several purposes. Most importantly, JCPenney wants every ship point and tagging location to show that it can meet JCPenney's requirements.
Every certified sample is archived so it can be compared against any future barcodes or RFID tags that JCPenney finds non-compliant. Both GS1-128 and RFID data use GS1 Company Prefixes, and certification includes checking that your prefix is valid and correctly positioned.
During registration we also ask for a primary contact and an optional secondary contact, so that any future supply chain issues reach the right people at your company.
Can we send in mockup test samples?
No. Only live samples are accepted. To evaluate compliance, we need the actual carton labels you ship with.
How long does it take to get test results?
You should receive results by email within 3 business days of Bar Code Graphics receiving your samples. Paying by check may delay results by 24 hours.
How do I know if my samples were received?
We recommend shipping your samples with a method that includes tracking and delivery confirmation. Once your package arrives and the Testing Agreement is processed, your primary contact will receive an email confirming that the samples are being evaluated.
Please don't call to check whether your package arrived unless it has been more than 24 hours since tracking showed it as delivered.
Why do you ask for multiple contacts?
Besides certification, Bar Code Graphics, Inc. also reviews any GS1-128 and RFID compliance issues that come up later. Having the right contacts at your company lets us reach the people who can correct a problem quickly.
If a sample doesn't pass certification, how will I know what to fix?
Every failed evaluation includes an issue summary, an ANSI/ISO print quality scan report (for barcode issues), an RFID encoding analysis (for RFID tags only), a digital image, and the corrective actions needed to fix each compliance issue.
You'll need to resubmit samples until each label or RFID tag format is certified.