Purpose
The purpose of this document is to help a vendor create their GLN.
Definitions
The GLN (Global Location Number) is a 13-digit code, including the check-digit, used to uniquely identify an
entity. A vendor will need to generate and assign a GLN to represent itself as an entity.
A GLN is made up of 3 parts:
1. GS1 Company Prefix (The globally unique number assigned to a company by GS1 US™ or another GS1
Member Organization. The GS1 Company Prefix is used as a foundation to create the identification
numbers of the GS1 System. The GS1 Company Prefix is what makes the identification numbers of the
GS1 System unique. This number can vary in length)
2. Location reference numbers (These numbers does not need to have any specific logic behind it.
Choose any combination of numbers)
3. A check digit (is a calculated one-digit number used to ensure data integrity. To understand how this
digit is calculated, refer to www.gs1us.org/checkdig)
Before you create a GLN
Please check the GS1 database to see if your company already has a GLN Note: GLNs are created using the GS1 Company Prefix assigned to the company. The GS1 Company Prefix may be directly assigned to the company or the company may utilize the GS1 Company Prefix of its parent company, with the knowledge and consent of the parent company. However, a parent company may not use a GS1 Company Prefix assigned to a company it owns. http://gepir.prod.gs1us.org/GEPIR/jsp/client.jsp How to set up a GLN
Scenario 1 (of 3)
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Your company creates the UPCs for your products
Page 1 of 3 •
The UPCs are 12 digits in length
Scenario 1 process steps:
1. Take your vendor prefix. The vendor prefix is a variable length number, anywhere from 4 to 10 digits. In
this example, the vendor prefix is 6 digits in length:
Ie: 799366
2. Add a leading 0 so it becomes: 0799366
NOTE: If your company has a U.C.C. Company Prefix, add a zero as your first digit.
If you have an EAN assigned Company Prefix, do not add a zero as your first digit.
This is the beginning of your GLN
In this example, we need 6 more numbers, the last one is the check digit. You choose the next 5
numbers. the final number is determined by the online check-digit calculator.
3. choose any combination of 5 numbers to make a total of 12 digits.
Example: 0799366xxxxx
4. Enter these numbers (12 total) in the field called “GTIN-13 see screen-shot.)
http://www.gs1.org/barcodes/support/check_digit_calculator
5. Click “calculate”
Page 2 of 3 6. The check digit will appear in the “Check Digit” field 7. This is your GLN: In this example, the GLN is: 0799366123453
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Scenario 2 (of 3)
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•
Your company creates an EAN for your products
The EAN is 13 digits in length
Scenario 2 process steps:
1. Same process as scenario 1, except there is no need to add the 0 in front of your GLN as described in Step 3
of Scenario 1
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Scenario 3 (of 3)
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If you do not have a GS1 Company Prefix (i.e. you don’t create GTIN’s (aka UPC or EAN) you can
purchase a single use GLN from GS1
Scenario 3 Process steps:
1. You must apply for a single GLN by contacting [email protected]
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Further Help
Website http://www.gs1.org/glnrules/index.php/p=home
email: [email protected]
Phone: +1 937.435.3870
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