EAN-8 barcode is derived from the longer European Article Number (EAN-13) code. It was introduced mainly to use on small packages where an EAN-13 barcode would be impractical; for example on cigarettes, pencils even though not used very common and chewing gum packets.

EAN-8 is a shortened version of the EAN-13 code. It includes a 2 or 3 digit country code, 4 or 5 data digits (depending on the length of the country code), and a checksum digit. The primary purpose of the EAN-8 is to be used on small packages, so the code must use as little space as possible.

EAN-8 codes are most common in the UK, and as such many UK-based companies use blocks of EAN-8 codes for own-brand products which are only sold in their stores. These are formatted as 1xxx xxxx.