What is the GS1 company prefix?
The GS1 company prefix allows you to create bar codes and other identifiers, no matter what your industry is. The GS1 company prefix is a unique identifier granted to the company by GS1 Finland Oy. It is the basis of the GS1 standards found in all GS1 identification codes. The most common examples of GS1 identifiers are GTIN (Global Trade Item Number), SSCC (Serial Shipping Container Code) and GLN (Global Location Number).
Why should I get a GS1 company prefix?
When your company has a GS1 company prefix, it has the right to use said GS1 company prefix, and no other company can use the same prefix or codes based on it. The identification codes generated using the GS1 company prefix can be used both in the company’s internal operations and globally for identification purposes between trade partners.
How can I choose the correct option of the different company prefixes?
GS1 Finland grants four different sizes of GTIN code packages for the generation of bar codes: 10 codes, 100 codes, 1,000 codes or 100,000 codes. Furthermore, there is a specific company prefix for the encoding of products with variable weight. Each product variant (size, colour, flavour etc.) needs a unique GTIN code, so you should consider the number of codes needed carefully. If there are four different colours and four different sizes of a specific product, you need 16 codes in total for it. You should consider the needs for codes a few years in advance and choose the company prefix accordingly. This ensures that the numbering space is adequate for a longer period of time and that the company does not need to get a new GS1 company prefix so soon. An annual fee is charged for each GS1 company prefix. The annual fee must be paid as long as the company prefix is used for individual identifiers.
Which GS1 company prefix should I choose for products with variable weight?
In products with variable weight, the weight of the product, and also the price, vary between products. Products with variable weight are weighed using a scale with software that produces the bar code indicating the weight of the product. A GS1 company prefix for products with variable weight is ordered for products with variable weight.
How much does a GS1 company prefix cost?
A one-time joining fee is charged for the GS1 company prefix following the order. The fee varies according to the GS1 company prefix selected. Furthermore, an annual GS1 company prefix fee is charged based on the company’s turnover.
How can I order a GS1 company prefix?
You can order a GS1 company prefix using the electronic order form from this link.
Please make sure that you have the following information available before filling in the order form.
• Client company’s details (name and address)
• Business ID
• Last financial year’s turnover
• Industry of the company according to the Standard Industrial Classification (5-digit TOL 2008 code)
• Invoicing address/electronic invoicing address and operator
• Contact person (name, phone number, e-mail address)
• Personal online bank user identifiers for electronic signature
If you cannot use an electronic signature, please contact GS1’s customer service: asiakaspalvelu@gs1.fi
How can I check my company’s GS1 company prefix?
You can check your active SG1 services granted by GS1 Finland Oy in your account information (MyGS1). If necessary, you can contact GS1’s customer service: asiakaspalvelu@gs1.fi
Can my customers check whether my GS1 company prefix is valid?
Yes. Anyone can use our GS1 Gepir information service to check whether a company prefix is active as well as the holder of the company prefix.
What is the GS1 GEPIR?
GS1 GEPIR (Global Electronic Party Information Register) is an international information service that allows you to check company information based on the GS1 codes. The service includes the company prefix registers of more than one hundred GS1 in a single view. You can search by the global trade item number (GTIN), the global location number (GLN) or the serial shipping container code (SSCC) or by selecting the country and entering the company name as the search term. The link below takes you to the service offered by GS1 Global Office. The service is offered in English and it opens in a new window. https://gepir.gs1.org/
How long should I keep the GS1 company prefix active?
The GS1 company prefix must be kept active and the annual fees must be paid for as long as any identification numbers created based on the GS1 company prefix (such as GTIN, GLN, SSCC) are in use. If a GS1 company prefix is terminated, the right to use the identification codes created based on it terminates as well.
What should I do when I run out of codes?
You should order a new GS1 company prefix. To order, use MyGS1 or the order form from this link.
A company may have several company prefix that are active at the same time. An annual fee is charged for each GS1 company prefix. The annual fee is paid for as long as the company prefix is used for individual identifiers.