UPC, short for Universal Product Code, is a standardized bar code used to manage retail items. It consists of a series of 12 numeric digits which uniquely identify a product and its manufacturer. While UPC is the most widely used terminology, there are several other synonyms that refer to the same concept. These include GTIN (Global Trade Item Number), EAN (European Article Number), and JAN (Japanese Article Number). GTIN, like UPC, is a 12-digit barcode used to identify products globally. EANs are similar to UPCs, but features an additional digit for country identification. On the other hand, JAN is used specifically in Japan. All these terms refer to product identification numbers used by businesses to maintain inventory and track sales.