UPC

(Universal Product Code) The standard barcode printed on retail merchandise. The UPC is read by scanning the barcode at checkout counters in supermarkets and retail stores. Handheld UPC scanners are used to inventory merchandise stocked on shelves.

Global Trade Item Number (GTIN)
The UPC falls under the Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) identification system, which is administered by the GS1 organization (see GS1). The common 12-digit UPC-A code includes a vendor number assigned by GS1 along with the vendor's product number and a check digit. GTIN categories include numeric barcodes with 8, 12, 13 and 14 digits and also support alphanumeric (ASCII) characters.

Unlike the EPC code in an RFID system, the UPC does not include a unique serial number and cannot be used for individual item tracking. See EPC and RFID.

UPC scanning systems were introduced in the early 1970s. In the mid-1980s, UPCs were added to shipping containers, and mandates from retailers such as Walmart and K-Mart caused them to be widely adopted. See barcode and barcode scanner.

UPC Codes Everywhere

One can hardly find a retail package without the numeric UPC barcode label.

UPC Examples

UPC barcodes are ubiquitous and mandatory on nearly every saleable item. For small packages, the compressed six-digit UPC-E code is equivalent to the 12-digit UPC-A. (Images courtesy of GS1 US, www.gs1us.org)

UPC

Abbr. for “Uniform Plumbing Code.”

UPC

Acronym	Definition
UPC➣Universal Product Code
UPC➣Uniform Plumbing Code
UPC➣Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (Technical University of Catalonia; Barcelona, Spain)
UPC➣University Presbyterian Church
UPC➣United Pentecostal Church
UPC➣Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas (Monterrico, Peru)
UPC➣Unified Patent Court (EU in 2014)
UPC➣United Poultry Concerns (animal rights group)
UPC➣Ultra Personal Computer
UPC➣United Pan-European Communications
UPC➣Update Protect
UPC➣Usage Parameter Control
UPC➣Uniform Probate Code
UPC➣Union of Congolese Patriots
UPC➣Urban Planning Committee (various organizations)
UPC➣Uganda People's Congress
UPC➣University Programming Council (various schools)
UPC➣Usage Parameter Control (Asynchronous Transfer Mode)
UPC➣United Pan-Europe Communications
UPC➣Up Converter
UPC➣Union des Photographes Créateurs (France)
UPC➣University Planning Council (various schools)
UPC➣Ultimate Parent Company
UPC➣Universal Primary Completion
UPC➣Urinalysis Program Coordinator (US Navy)
UPC➣Utilities Protection Center
UPC➣Uplink Power Control (satellite telecommunications)
UPC➣Union Planters Corp (stock symbol)
UPC➣Ultra Physical Contact (fiber connector)
UPC➣Union of Cameroonian Populations (Cameroon)
UPC➣Uniform Practice Code (finance)
UPC➣Unit Production Cost
UPC➣Urine Protein: Creatinine Ratio
UPC➣Universidad Piloto de Colombia (Colombian University)
UPC➣Unique Playable Character (gaming)
UPC➣Universal Plumbing Code
UPC➣Université Protestante du Congo
UPC➣Underpinning Contract
UPC➣Unlimited Power Corp. (Santa Fe Springs,CA)
UPC➣Utah Prosecution Council
UPC➣Universal Personal Computing
UPC➣Unique Planning Component
UPC➣Universal Peripheral Controller
UPC➣United Philips Communications (since 1997: United Pan-Europe Communications)
UPC➣Ultra Polished Connector (fiber optic connector)
UPC➣United Processing Corporation (Somers, NY)
UPC➣Unió de Policia de Catalunya
UPC➣Unit Processing Code
UPC➣Unlimited Profits.Com, Inc. (website; Las Vegas, Nevada)
UPC➣United Provinces of Canada (pre-1867 colonial name for Ontario and Quebec)
UPC➣Underutilized Plant Capacity
UPC➣Unit Passport Clerk
UPC➣Uniform Part Code
UPC➣United Provinces of China
UPC➣United People of Cambodia
UPC➣Universal Power Cabinet (Cellular Tower sites)
UPC➣Universal Policing Contract (ATM Asynchronous Transfer Mode application)
UPC➣Unlimited Private Calls (wireless telecommunications)
UPC➣Utilized/Unutilized Plant Capacity
UPC➣Unciano Paramedical College (Manila, Philippines)