I work with UPCs a lot. We're regularly disappointed with how FEW things have UPCs. There are whole categories — foods, apparel, etc. — without UPCs, and other segments - old books, beer, wine - where UPCs aren't actually used for unique products, but instead for things like brands or prices.
Add to this that state and local laws change frequently, and that they aren't machine-readable (and, even if the rules were easily accessible, the rules frequently would require a lawyer to parse, and might change based on where the goods are sold). It is a very thorny problem.
Add to this that state and local laws change frequently, and that they aren't machine-readable (and, even if the rules were easily accessible, the rules frequently would require a lawyer to parse, and might change based on where the goods are sold). It is a very thorny problem.