Sijaintidataa

How to implement GLNs

With GLNs, you can uniquely identify your company’s parties and locations consistently throughout the entire supply chain. With a GS1 Company Prefix, you can create GLNs for your company in GS1 Rekisteri. On this page, we explain how you can get started easily.

Implementing GLNs is convenient

GLN (Global Location Number) is a GS1 standard that allows you to identify your company’s parties and locations clearly and consistently. A GLN is not just a series of numbers; it acts as a key in different systems to the information linked to it. When the same GLN is used from one system to another, all parties are referring to the same operator or location. In this way, the codes facilitate data exchange, automate processes and support traceability.

Varasto
1. Determine what you want to identify

Start by considering which of your company’s parties and locations need their own GLNs.

For example:

  • company
  • sites
  • warehouses, warehouse shelves
  • production facilities
  • stores
  • pickup and delivery locations

If needed, a GLN can also be used to identify, for example, functions within an organisation, mobile physical locations or digital locations. See also the examples below of use cases for GLNs. Your company decides how precisely you want to identify your operations. For many companies, a few GLNs are sufficient, while larger organisations
may utilise hundreds or thousands of them.

Start with your most important sites or units. You can add new GLNs later as needed.

sormi ikoni
2. Make sure your company has a GS1 Company Prefix

To create GLNs, you need a GS1 Company Prefix, which is used to create all GS1 identification codes. If your company already has a GS1 Company Prefix for trade items, GTINs, for example, you do not need to obtain one separately for GLNs, and implementing them will not result in any additional costs payable to GS1.

If your company does not yet have a GS1 Company Prefix, you can order one from our webshop. An annual fee is charged for the GS1 Company Prefix.

Go to the GS1 webshop

Peukku
3. Create GLNs in the GS1 Rekisteri

With the GS1 Company Prefix, your company gains access to the free GS1 Rekisteri service, where you can easily create and manage your company’s GLNs. Create a separate GLN for each party or location to be identified and add basic information for it in GS1 Rekisteri, such as name and address. This information enables parties and locations to be identified clearly and consistently in all systems.

Read the GS1 Rekisteri instructions

Nuolet kahteen suuntaan
4. Start using GLNs

Once the GLNs have been created, add them to the systems where you process your company’s parties or locations. Also share the codes with your business partners.

GLNs can be used, for example, in

  • electronic messaging
  • ordering
  • deliveries
  • billing
  • traceability
  • logistics

The same GLN works in all systems and throughout the entire supply chain internationally.

The information for GLNs saved in the GS1 Rekisteri can be checked by all parties in the Verified by GS1 registry search, which increases the transparency and reliability of the information.

Digitaalinen hyväksyntä

Good practices

  • Create a separate GLN for each location or party that needs to be identified.
  • Use the same GLN consistently across all systems.
  • Update the information associated with the GLN in the GS1 Rekisteri whenever changes occur.
  • Do not reuse an old GLN for another location or party.

Examples of GLN use cases

GLNs can be used to identify companies, organisations, business locations and other locations. Below are examples from different sectors.

Read more

Global Location Number
Location and party codes in the food chain