A GTIN, or Global Trade Item Number, is the number that identifies a product in trade. It is the number printed under the EAN or UPC barcode on almost every consumer product, and it lets retailers, marketplaces and distributors know exactly which item they are handling.
GTINs are part of the GS1 system of standards. Each company creates its own GTINs from a GS1 Company Prefix licensed from its national GS1 organization, so every GTIN is unique worldwide. Under the EU Digital Product Passport rules, the GTIN is also one of the identifiers a passport can carry.
GTIN formats
There are four lengths. All can be written as 14 digits by adding leading zeros.
- GTIN-13 (EAN): 13 digits. The standard in Europe and most of the world.
- GTIN-12 (UPC): 12 digits. Mostly used in North America.
- GTIN-8: 8 digits, for very small items where a full barcode does not fit.
- GTIN-14: 14 digits, used for cases and other groupings of the same product. It starts with an indicator digit.
How a GTIN is built
A GTIN-13 has three parts:
- GS1 Company Prefix: identifies the company. Its length varies with how many products the company needs to number.
- Item reference: the number the company assigns to each product.
- Check digit: the last digit, calculated from all the others, so scanners can spot a misread number.
GTINs are non-significant. The digits say nothing about the product's category or where it was made. A prefix shows which GS1 organization issued it, not the country of origin.
GTINs and the Digital Product Passport
The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation lists the GTIN in Annex III, point (c), among the information a Digital Product Passport can include, "as provided for in ISO/IEC 15459-6 or equivalent". Because GS1 keys comply with ISO/IEC 15459, a GTIN can also form the basis of the passport's unique product identifier.
A GTIN identifies a product model. Passports at batch or item level add a batch or serial number to it. The GS1 Digital Link standard combines them into one web address, which goes into a QR code or other data carrier. Retail scanners read the GTIN from that code, and phones open the passport.
When a product needs a new GTIN
The GS1 GTIN Management Standard sets the rules so companies make consistent decisions. A new GTIN is generally needed for:
- a new product,
- a change in net content or dimensions that customers would notice,
- a new combination or bundle of products,
- a change to the declared function or main claim that partners need to distinguish.
Minor changes that do not affect how the product is ordered or sold usually keep the same GTIN.
How to prepare
- Check that every product has a valid GTIN from your own GS1 Company Prefix, not one bought from an unofficial reseller.
- Validate check digits before printing, especially on legacy data.
- Keep GTINs consistent across packaging, marketplaces, ERP and passport data.
- Plan batch and serial numbering if your product group's passport is likely to be set at batch or item level.
- Have your GTINs ready for passport registration in the EU DPP registry.
How Veribl helps
Veribl uses your GTINs to create a GS1 Digital Link QR code for every model, batch and unit, each opening the right Digital Product Passport. Free tools check GTIN check digits, generate barcodes and create serial numbers.
Try the free GTIN check digit calculatorOfficial sources
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a GTIN, EAN and UPC?
GTIN is the umbrella name for the number. A GTIN-13 is usually called an EAN and is common in Europe and most of the world. A GTIN-12 is called a UPC and is mostly used in North America. EAN-13 and UPC-A are also the names of the barcodes that carry these numbers.
How do I get a GTIN?
License a GS1 Company Prefix from the GS1 Member Organization in your country, then create GTINs from it for each product. Small companies can also license individual GTINs from some GS1 organizations.
How is the GTIN check digit calculated?
Starting from the right of the number without the check digit, multiply the digits alternately by 3 and 1, add the results, and subtract the total from the next multiple of 10. The result is the check digit.
Is a GTIN enough for a Digital Product Passport?
A GTIN identifies a product model. If the delegated act for your product group requires a passport per batch or per item, the GTIN is combined with a batch or serial number, for example in a GS1 Digital Link QR code.
When do I need a new GTIN?
The GS1 GTIN Management Standard sets the rules. A new GTIN is generally needed for a new product, and for changes that customers or trading partners need to tell apart, such as a different net content, a new bundle or a changed declared function.
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