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Product and packaging coding

Before you can deliver – or sometimes even offer – your product to retailers and wholesalers, you need a GS1 product identifier for your product and a barcode on its packaging.

What do you need?

GTIN

A GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) is also known as an EAN code or EAN number. It is a product number that is used to identify products and to ensure that they are not mixed up with any other product – also internationally. The GTIN helps cash register systems identify your product and can give the correct price for it. That is why it is included in the product's EAN barcode. The GTIN is also used in store and wholesaler processes for other purposes.

 

EAN barcode

An EAN barcode is a GTIN in an electronically readable format, i.e. converted into lines. Products marked with an EAN barcode can easily be scanned at the checkout, self-service checkout and at various points of the supply chain. Instead of manually entering the GTIN, scanning the product barcode reduces errors, saves time and improves efficiency.

 

GS1 Company Prefix

To generate GTINs for your product and EAN barcodes from them, you need to purchase a GS1 Company Prefix.

A GS1 Company Prefix is a customer-specific number sequence that you use to generate a GTIN. The same company prefix also works to generate all other GS1 identifiers, such as the SSCC used for marking pallets.

A GS1 Company Prefix is customer-specific, and the same identifier or number sequences based on it cannot be used by any other operator. However, it is possible for one operator to have more than one GS1 Company Prefix. The prefix can also be transferred to an other company, if the whole range of products coded from it is transferred. GS1 charges an annual fee for the GS1 Company Prefix as long as the codes generated from it are in use on the market and the prefix is not terminated.

Here's how

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1. Determine how many barcodes you need

Before you order a GS1 Company Prefix, estimate how many GTINs you need for your products. Note that you need a GTIN for each of the following:

  • each product variant (size, color, flavor, etc.)
  • each packaging level in the product hierarchy (sales lot, shipping carton, pallet, etc.)

For example, if your product comes in four different colors and four different sizes, you will need a total of 16 GTINs.

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2. Order a GS1 Company Prefix from the online store

GS1 Finland sells prefixes with five different code package sizes: 10, 100, 1000, 10 000 or 100 000 GTINs. In addition, there is a separate company identifier for coding variable weight products.

You can conveniently order a GS1 Company Prefix  from our webshop.

After ordering, you will receive confirmation and instructions for your GS1 Company Prefix by email.

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3. Use GS1 Rekisteri to create GTINs and EAN barcodes

We will also email you the credentials to the OmaGS1 portal, where you can log in to the GS1 Rekisteri.

GS1 Rekisteri is an easy-to-use, browser-based service that allows you to conveniently create and manage your GTINs and EAN barcodes. Its use is included in the annual fee for the GS1 Company Prefix.

 

GTINs for each product variant and packaging level

Each product variant and packaging level requires its own GTIN.

Go to the GS1 webshop and order a GS1 Company Prefix.

To the webshop

See more specific instructions

How to barcode a product
How to mark a package
How to mark a book or periodical

Remember: Product changes require a new GTIN

The GTIN identifies the product as it is on the market. If the size, content, intended use, packaging, or other essential characteristics of the product change, it must be given a new GTIN.

Decision support tool: Do I need a new GTIN?

Click here for more detailed information on the topics

GTIN
EAN barcodes
GS1 Company Prefix
GS1 Rekisteri
GS1 Rekisteri instructions