Leading Zeros for UPC/EAN Codes?

Leading Zeros for UPC/EAN Codes?

Why are leading zeroes deleted for UPC and EAN codes? EAN-13 type is literally a UPC with an extra leading '0' - why not just change the data type from Integer to Text or something similar that will support the data as required?

I did connect with support staff that just replied that they don't support it, but absolutely zero indication as to why. An enormous chunk of barcodes start with a 0.