SCC Label Requirements and Specs
Any exceptions to the following procedures must be approved by the PLCB
The information in these pages outline the current and acceptable requirements for all products shipped to the PLCB. The PLCB retains the right to implement changes at any time. When changes occur the Vendor of Record will be notified and the information will be posted on the PLCB web site.
New vendors are encouraged to confirm that their labeling is acceptable prior to shipment by contacting the PLCB SCC/Labeling Coordinator (information below).
The PLCB requires the following information be on all cases of product received in any of our warehouses:
- The PLCB/State item number
- A brief description of the product (including name, size and vintage or proof)
- The Shipping Container Code (SCC) (barcode and readable-must appear on two adjacent sides, see “Label Placement” for details)
- Consumer-readable freshness date, if this date is printed on the retail unit
This information can be combined into one label if assembled and placed correctly. The information can be printed on the cartons in lieu of a label. In these instructions reference will be made to “labels” but it is understood that the same information and requirements also refers to printed boxes.
For Further Information:
Contact the PLCB SCC/Labeling Coordinator at ra-lbSCC@pa.gov or fax to (717) 783-8821.
PLCB STANDARD CASE CODE LABEL REQUIREMENTS AND SPECIFICATIONS
The PLCB standard case code label has been developed to identify the product being received. All information provided must be consistent with all other information on the label. For example, the PLCB item number cannot reflect a product different than the one described or the one represented by the UPC, and/or the SCC.
The label (if printed on paper as opposed to on the carton surface) must be printed on WHITE stock paper.
NOTE: The above label is representative of the information and location on a label combining the PLCB/State label and the SCC label. It DOES NOT meet size requirements for each element. See the following chart for actual size requirements.
As long as the information and specifications of that information is consistent with the PLCB requirements, the PLCB will accept Multi State and/or National Alcoholic Beverage Control Association (NABCA) labels in lieu of the PLCB/State label.
Holiday Packaged Merchandise (Prewraps):
In addition to the standard label requirements outlined above, all Holiday Packaged Merchandise (Prewraps) must have the suffix “G” added to the PLCB code as illustrated below.
Please review the notes on SCC codes and their application in regard to Holiday Packaged Merchandise.
Sample of Holiday Gift Wrap Label
(Element sizes do not conform to standards in this sample)
(NOTE: that this label does not have the SCC barcode included)
SCC LABEL REQUIREMENTS AND SPECIFICATION
Pennsylvania accepts only 14 digit Shipping Container Codes, at this time.
It is the responsibility of the vendor to develop the SCC numbers for their items. The vendor is also responsible for notifying the proper person(s) at the PLCB with all SCC’s as they are established. If a product is received with an SCC that is not in our system, the product will be relabeled as incorrect and surcharged to the vendor.
For more information on the development of SCC’s, go to the PLCB web site. Remember that you can apply multiple SCC’s to any product. These would be used to distinguish Holiday Gift Wrap or other special packaging, vintage wines, proof change, vendor change, and/or unit pack changes. By assigning a new and unique SCC number, you and we will be able to track and distribute inventory in a more efficient manner.
There is only one bar code symbology for the SCC-14 that the PLCB will accept. This is Interleaved 2-of-5. No other coding is currently scannable in the Pennsylvania warehouses.
The symbology must include a ¼ inch “quiet zone” (white space) on both sides of the bar code. This quiet zone is considered a required part of the bar code and all placement and printing should be done with respect to the outer edges of that quiet zone. Bearer Bars are acceptable, either on the top and bottom or encompassing the entire code as long as they do not interfere with the size and placement requirements.
This sample shows the SCC barcode and readable with Bearer Bars.
The Barcode MUST be 1 ¼ inches high and should be no shorter than 4 inches in length and no longer than 6 inches. The definition of the bars and clear unmarred white spaces is imperative in producing a clear and acceptable symbol. The readable figures are for visual confirmation of the bar coding if necessary and only need to be large enough as to be easily read.
More detailed information regarding the structure of the bar within these symbologies is available on the UCC web site. Many software packages are available for the printing of SCC and/or UPC bar coding.
LABEL PLACEMENT
Placement of these labels is as important as the configuration.
PLCB/State Label placement (excluding the SCC bar coding):
Affix the PLCB/State case code label in the upper left-hand corner of the narrow side of the case approximately one-half (1/2) inch from the edges to prevent fringing.
NOTE: If the PLCB/State Label includes the SCC bar coding, the labels must be placed in accordance with the SCC label placement requirements, as summarized below.
SCC Label placement:
Proper placement and configuration of the SCC label will permit scanning by a conveyor belt scanning system.
The SCC barcode must be placed on two adjacent sides of each carton. The bottom edge of the bar code (not including the bearer bars) must be placed 1 ¼ inches (plus or minus 1/8 inch) from the container’s natural bottom. The outer edge of the bar code (not including the bearer bars) shall be no closer than 1 ¼ inches to either vertical edge. Wrap-around SCC labels are permitted if they allow for the proper placement of the bar code in relation to the carton’s edges. Proper placement not only allows for consistent scanning but it also protects the label from edge crush .
Consumer-Legible Freshness Date
Beginning Sept. 4, 2017, any product where the date is visible and legible to the consumer on the retail sale unit must also have that same date clearly visible on the exterior of each case. Consumer legible dates include “Best by,” “Use by,” “Consume by,” “Expires,” or any other wording that reflects or implies freshness or expiration dates.
Freshness date case label requirements:
- Pallets of the same item (unitized) should contain only one consumer date.
- The freshness date can be a separate label on the case, or integrated with the PLCB SCC label described above.
- If a separate label is printed, only one label is required on the case.
- The text should match what is printed on the retail unit ("Expires," "Best by, " etc.).
- The date format should be MM-DD-YYYY.
- Font size should be three-quarters of an inch, at minimum.
- The text must be printed on a contrasting area of the case (black ink on white label etc.).
SURCHARGE/PENALTY FOR CORRECTIONS
If a shipment is received by the PLCB from a vendor bearing a PLCB/State and/or SCC label that is not formatted according to the aforementioned requirements and specifications, one bearing unrecognized coding, and/or labels not properly affixed to each case, the distribution of the merchandise to the store locations will be withheld until the cases are properly identified and labeled. Corrections will be made by the distribution center operator.
Surcharges, which will include an Administration fee and may also include penalties, will be levied for failure to comply with these requirements.
Because of differing wage scales and other restrictions at the various distribution centers, it is impractical for the Board to establish a single rate for the entire state to cover the cost of correctly identifying and labeling or coding improperly marked cases. Therefore, each contract operator will establish a schedule of fees that he will charge the vendor to correct improperly marked cases. The fee schedule may be based on an hourly rate with a minimum for each job, or a rate per case with a minimum for each job. Requests for fee schedules should be made by vendor’s communication directly with the various distribution center contractors.
FOR SPECIFIC INFORMATION ABOUT CURRENT DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS AND SHIPPING PROCEDURES, PLEASE CONTACT US AT RA-LBMerchPOSupport@pa.gov.
You can access the UCC and ABI web sites through the PLCB site. A supplier/vendor list of items and associated SCC’s, and an information page in a question/answer format giving valuable information on UPC/SCC development, use, and placement are also available.