For a complete and transparent (back)tracking and identification, each shipment unit (e.g. carton, pallet, container) requires a globally uniform number, commonly known as Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC). It consists of 18 digits and is assigned to each unit in form of an individual sequence of digits. It is available to the participants of the respective supply chain, as it becomes a means of communication (Electronic Data Interchange) and is used, for example, for subsequent recalls.