# Revising the National Drug Code Format and Drug Label Barcode Requirements
> **Food and Drug Administration** · Final rule. · Published 2026-03-05 · Effective 2033-03-07 · 91 FR 10749
## Document
- **Document number:** 2026-04368
- **Category:** fda-drug
- **Sub-agency:** Food and Drug Administration
- **Federal Register citation:** 91 FR 10749
- **CFR reference:** 21 CFR 201
- **Publication date:** 2026-03-05
- **Effective date:** 2033-03-07
- **HHS docket:** Docket No. FDA-2021-N-1351
## Abstract

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA, the Agency, or we) is issuing a final rule to standardize the format of the National Drug Code (NDC). Under this final rule, all FDA-assigned NDCs will be required to be 12 digits in length with 3 distinct segments and 1 uniform format. The first segment is a 6-digit labeler code, the second segment is a 4-digit product code, and the third segment is a 2-digit package code. Additionally, we are revising the drug product barcode label requirements to permit the use of other data carriers that meet the standards of this final rule.

## Source
- [Federal Register document](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/03/05/2026-04368/revising-the-national-drug-code-format-and-drug-label-barcode-requirements)
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