Each code is composed of 6 figures, plus one control key figure used in computer applications (modulo 11).

The code series that have been designed are :

The 600 000 to 669 999, 700 000 to 799 999 and 425 000 to 489 999 series
for human and veterinary healthcare products.

The 250 000 to 269 999 series for assembled and promotional items.

The code identifies a brand name, a galenic form, a container, a capacity and a single unit sold to the consumer. It contains no information about the manufacturer, price or VAT rate.

The outlook: the 7 figure code will be replaced by a 13 character code thus offering additional options. The EAN13 structure has been adopted to replace the ACL7 structure.

The 13 character code will be either created and managed by ACL, or created and managed by the manufacturers themselves according to EAN.UCC standards. In both cases the code is unique and international.

The ACL coding structure that has been adopted is the following :

Thus

3 401 YYYYYYYY Z

3 = France
401 : healthcare product with ACL.

Y : product code (8 digits, one of which represents the product category)
0 = Medical device
1 = Veterinary healthcare products
2 = Specialised dietary products
3 = Beauty products
5 = Healthcare and hygiene products
Z (1 digit from 0 to 9): Control key

When the coding of the products is made by the manufacturer himself, the EAN 13 structure is the following :

PXXXXXXYYYYYZ

P : Country identifier allocated by the national agency GS1 (« 3 » for French companies).
X : Exclusive identifier allocated to the company by GS1 (in France between 5 to 8 digits).
Y : Product identifier assigned by the company (in France between 6 and 3 digits).
Z : Control key.

It is essential that all healthcare products are declared and registered into the ACL interprofessional data base whether they are managed by ACL or by the manufacturer. Indeed, ACL represents the common information source for all partners. By supplying information to ACL, the manufacturer has the guarantee that distributors, pharmacists, healthcare establishments and their partners will receive the right information at the right time.