The Uniform Code Council (UCC) announced that all North American trading partners who scan the 12-digit U.P.C. symbol, known as UCC-12, should be capable of scanning 13 symbols by Jan. 1, 2005. However, the UCC recommended system changes to accept data structures up to 14 digits so companies will be prepared for any future symbol changes. This symbol expansion is based on the increased use of Bar Codes in global commerce.