Märkningsenhet

Märkningsenhet is a Swedish term used to describe a unit that carries information intended to identify, describe or classify an item within a system, such as in manufacturing, logistics or information management. The concept covers both physical labels or tags attached to objects and digital data elements stored in records or databases.

The marking unit serves purposes such as identification, traceability, inventory control, quality assurance and compliance. In practice, it enables tracking an item's origin, movement through a supply chain, handling requirements, and ownership. Marking units are essential for processes like warehousing, shipping, product recalls and asset management, where consistent labeling supports interoperability between systems and organizations.

A marking unit typically contains structured data. Common elements include a primary identifier (such as a SKU or GTIN), a serial or lot number, production or expiry dates, quantity, and destination or storage location. Many marking units incorporate machine-readable formats, such as barcodes or QR codes, and may also use RFID tags. Data standards often guide the content and format of marking units to ensure compatibility across partners and systems.

Physical and digital forms coexist. Physical marking units include product labels, shipping labels, asset tags and barcode stickers. Digital marking units are data fields in ERP, WMS or product records that describe an item and can be synchronized with physical labels.

Standards commonly applied in marking units include GS1 and related barcoding conventions (GTIN, SSCC, EAN/UPC) to promote global interoperability. The exact requirements depend on industry, region, and the specific logistics or information system in use.