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Barcode F.A.Q

Below are the answers to some Frequently Asked Questions.

If you don't find what you are looking for, please contact GS1 Ireland.

1: Why join GS1 Ireland?
2: What is a GTIN?
3: A company is offering to sell me a few GS1 BarCode numbers. Is this legitimate?
4: How many numbers do I get and do I own them?
5: Do you provide me with the actual barcode?
6: How much does membership cost and how long does it take to get a barcode number?
7: As a distributor, do I need to barcode the products that I import?

1.Why should I join GS1 Ireland?

GS1 Ireland is the only authorised organisation in Ireland to administer the GS1 System. As a GS1 Ireland subscriber member you are assigned a GS1 Company Prefix and a range of numbers that can form a Global Trade Item Number (GTIN).

2. What is a GTIN?

GTINs allow you to identify your products with internationally unique numbers presented in a barcode format. Placing a barcode on your product offers benefits to all parties in the trading cycle by reducing costs, saving time, and increasing accuracy and efficiency through management of the entire supply chain. Use of GS1 System numbers, barcodes and other Intellectual Property issued to GS1 Ireland Subscriber Members, is for the sole use of that Subscriber Member and to be used strictly in accordance with the terms of the Licence Agreement.

3. A company is offering to sell me a few GS1 Bar Code numbers. Is this legitimate?

To ensure GS1 Bar Code numbers are globally unique and the correct standards based implementation support is provided to local GS1 user companies, GS1 Global has authorised one GS1 member organisation in each country to manage the GS1 System.

In Ireland, GS1 Ireland is the only official source for GS1 System barcode numbers and standards in Ireland. The GS1 Bar Code numbers allocated to companies by GS1 Ireland begin with the prefix 539 and only GS1 Ireland is authorised to use the 539 prefix.

GS1 Ireland cannot guarantee the authenticity or usability of numbers which are not issued by GS1 Ireland. Buying a bar code number from an unauthorised source could result in a disruption to your normal business activities and/or lost investment.

Irish businesses should exercise the greatest caution if they wish to engage any other organisation claiming otherwise.

4. How many numbers do I get and do I own them?

GS1 Ireland provides companies options for the amount of numbers they require based on their business needs. Companies can request 10, 1,000 or 100,000 numbers. GS1 Ireland does not allocate your individual numbers. You allocate your own GS1 Bar Code numbers to products as you require them.

GS1 is the title owner of the GS1 System. As a GS1 Subscriber Member you are licensed to use the GS1 System of numbering and bar coding as long as you comply with the GS1 Ireland License Agreement and remain a financial member of GS1 Ireland.

5. Do you provide me with the actual barcode?

No, GS1 Ireland does not print barcodes, or provide equipment to print barcodes or supply digital barcode files. These services are provided by specialist printing and equipment suppliers.

GS1 Ireland’s role is to administer the numbering standard that provides you with access to the global market and your local trading partners to automate your supply chain.

However, GS1 Ireland does provide an online Solution Providers Directory. This is where you will find contact details for accredited companies, known as GS1 Ireland Solution Providers, to supply your hardware and software needs.

GS1 Ireland Solution Providers:

Are GS1 System accredited by GS1 Ireland
Are recognised for the quality and GS1 compliance of their products and services
Submit products to a GS1 Certification process
Receive regular updates from GS1 Ireland

Find out more information or view the GS1 Solution Providers Directory.

6. How much does membership cost and how long does it take to get a barcode number?

Subscription Membership is based on an annual fee to be paid each year. Please refer to the ‘GS1 Ireland Licence Agreement’ form for a complete list of GS1 Subscriber Member fees. GS1 Ireland processes new members daily and once processed you will receive a confirmation email and an official Member Pack will be mailed within 48 business hours.

7. As a distributor, do I need to barcode the products that I import?

Regardless of where and by whom the product is manufactured, the brand owner is responsible for the allocation of the Global Trade Item Number (GTIN). However, if the importer or wholesaler is to sell the product under a different brand or modify the packaging in anyway, then a new GTIN must be allocated to the product. This would then make the importer or wholesaler responsible for allocating a new GTIN to the product.

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