Global Trade Item Number (GTIN)
What is a GTIN?
A GS1 GTIN is a globally unique identification number for an item or product and can be used to identify your products at any packaging level. It follows the product throughout the supply chain, from production to consumer without ever changing.
Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) is the number you see under a barcode frequently called “barcode”. It is also known by its previous name as an EAN or UPC.
GTINs are issued by national member organisations of GS1 globally to ensure their uniqueness. GS1 Association-Greece is the only authorised provider of unique GTINs. Our GTINs and barcodes are used and accepted by retailers and marketplaces across the world, making it easy to sell your products anywhere.
Types of GTINs
GTINs, regardless of their digits, are used for the identification of products whether they are for sale in a retail outlet or online.
For the majority of products destined for points of sale we come across the GTIN structure of 13digits, the GTIN-13.
More GTIN structures:
50 years of transforming tomorrow
GS1 celebrates 50 years of digitalisation in commerce. The GTIN – the number behind the barcode – was developed 50 years ago and transformed the global economy.
Who is responsible for numbering trade items?
The Brand Owner, the organisation that owns the specifications of the trade item regardless of where and by whom it is manufactured, is normally responsible for the allocation of the Global Trade Item Number (GTIN). On joining a GS1 Member Organisation the Brand Owner receives a unique GS1 Company Prefix which is for the sole use of the company to which it is assigned.
A Brand Owner can be:
The manufacturer or supplier
- The company manufactures the trade item or has it manufactured, in any country, and sells it under its own brand name.
The importer or wholesaler
- The importer or wholesaler has the trade item manufactured, in any country, and sells it under its own brand name.
- The wholesaler changes the trade item (e.g. by modifying the packaging) in which case a new GTIN must be allocated.
The retailer
- The retailer has the trade item manufactured, in any country, and sells it under its own brand.
On joining a GS1 Member Organisation the Brand Owner receives a unique GS1 Company Prefix which is for the sole use of the company to which it is assigned. The Company Prefix may not be sold, leased or given, in whole or in part, for use by any other company.
How many GTINs do I need?
The number of GTINs needed depends on the number of product types you have, and their variants (e.g. colour, size, scent, flavour, packaging). We suggest that you multiply the number of your products with the number of their variants, bearing in mind a 3 year progression.
Example
If your product is clothes and you have 10 different shirts, with 9 different colours and 4 different sizes for each colour then you need 360 GTINs ( 10 products x 9 variants x 4 sizes each).
The annual fee for a GS1 Company Prefix provides up to 100.000 GTIN-13 barcodes, which are issued progressively, upon the needs of each business.
Therefore you can apply for the GTINs you actually need and in the future you may require more to be issued. With a written request you will be issued an additional company prefix for your business.
When should a new GTIN be allocated?
The GTIN Management Standard requires that if a product is new to the market, it should always be assigned a new GTIN to accurately distinguish the new product from any existing product in market. New products are those which do not currently exist in a brand owner’s portfolio and are new to the market.
Changes to existing products are considered “replacement products” (the previous version will no longer exist once the replacement product has flowed through, as determined by the brand owner). The GTIN Management Standard defines when a change to certain attributes of an existing product in market is such that a new GTIN is required.
When do I need to change the GTIN on my product?
Πότε πρέπει να αλλάξω τον κωδικό GTIN και το barcode σε ένα προϊόν μου;
GTIN Allocation
Through our Members Area you have exclusive management of your GTINs.
To allocate a GTIN to a product just sign in our Members Area and choose Products, there the next available GTIN will show up for you to register the product details. That easy! This process does not require any expertise in computer use, code structure or check digit calculation.
We remind you that by choosing Definitive Registration for your products they become globally visible and available through our service Verified by GS1.
When is GTIN valid?
GS1 Company Prefixes and single GTINs are issued exclusively by GS1 Global and MO offices, they are the only authorised source for the management and issuing of GS1 barcodes.
Verified by GS1 is the registry that connects GTINs with the licensed company information. This way anyone in the world can verify the validity of a GTIN.
Verified by GS1 is sourced directly from brand owners who upload data about their products. All companies across the commerce ecosystem benefit as access to accurate, consistent product data becomes seamless and more efficient.
Product Exports
GTIN standards were created and keep evolving to serve the demands and needs of the supply chain thus product exports. Eventhough their application is optional it is considered a business cheque. However, in many countries and sectors, GTIN product codification is required to be able to distribute your products through the supply chain.
I need GTINs for my products
The uniqueness and validity of GTINs and GS1 barcodes is ensured only when these are issued by GS1 national associations, which consist the only reliable source for their management globally.
GS1 Association Greece is an independent, not-for-profit organisation, member of the global Organisation. It is the only legal and authorized carrier in Greece to issue and manage GS1 prefixes 520 and 521.
FAQs
Fill out and send the registration form accompanied by the necessary supporting documents, followed by the payment of registration and annual fee.
