The symbol encodes 13 characters: the first two or three are a country code to identify the country in which the manufacturer is registered (not necessarily where the product is actually made). The country code is followed by 9 or 10 data digits (depending on the length of the country code), and a single digit checksum. Two-digit and five-digit supplemental barcodes may be added for a total of 14 or 17 data digits.
EAN-13 is used world-wide for marking retail goods.