The black and white lines of a barcode are simply a scannable version of its GS1 GTIN™ number.
Those lines are “read" by scanners that know how to measure the space between the vertical lines. The number written below the barcode is the item's GS1 GTIN™, and it is there as a reference for humans and computers.
The various digits of a GS1 GTIN™ indicate the manufacturer or GS1 GTIN™ allocator, the country you got your GS1 GTIN™ from, the item number, and a check digit to verify the structure of the barcode.
The important thing to remember is that GS1 GTINs™ represent the identity of a product and link it to a brand or company, all of which is verifiable in the GS1 database via Verified by GS1.
One GS1 GTIN™ can only be assigned to one product. However, it can be used unlimited times on the same product. For instance, the GS1 GTIN™ of a bottle of soda is unique to that size of the bottle of soda but is printed millions of times every day on millions of bottles.
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