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What is a GLN ?

A GLN (Global Location Number) is a code issued by GS1 that enables a company’s various locations to be identified, whether these are geographical locations (sites) or organisational locations (services provided by an organisation). GLN help to facilitate commercial dealings between parties. 
1.WasIstGLN
GLN (coloured orange in the diagram) allow the trading partners involved in EDI (electronic data interchange) messages to be identified.  

What is GLN Search ?

GLN Search enables you to manage and publish your GLN for free: log in using your GS1 Switzerland login details or create an account to gain access to MyGLN. Once you are inside MyGLN, you can compile a list of your GLN. You can decide which GLN will be made public and which will be reserved for internal use. This will give all your trading partners swift and straightforward access to your public data, while making it very easy for you to view your partners’ data. 

I need a GLN. What do I do ?

There are three options for obtaining a GLN:

  1. Become a member of GS1 Switzerland
    When you open an account with GS1, we will allocate you a GS1 basic number (known as a GCP) that can be used to create both GTINs (Global Trade Item Numbers) for identifying products and GLN (Global Location Numbers) for identifying addresses. You will also gain access to a range of services including advice and training.
    Go to the offer

  2. Order ten location identifiers (GLN)
    We will allocate you ten location identifiers (GLN). Unlike the GCP, these do not allow you to create GTINs (Global Trade Item Numbers) for identifying products.
    Go to the offer 

  3. Order a basic GLN from Refdata 
    The Refdata foundation has agreed with GS1 Switzerland to manage the allocation of basic GLN to individuals and organisations working in the healthcare industry. 
    See the Refdata website (german) for the terms and conditions of allocation.

 

Let’s take Tom as an example:

2.BesoinGLNQueFaire

Tom has two options:

  1. Become a member of GS1 Switzerland:

    Subscription fee based on sales category 21........................................... CHF 300 p.a.

    Use of the GS1 system1............................................................................ CHF 100 p.a.

    Total............................................................................................................... CHF 400 p.a.

     

  2. Order ten location identifiers (GLN)

    Subscription fee for ten location identifiers.......................................... CHF 200 p.a.

    GTIN order for a single GTIN (3x).......................................................... CHF 270 p.a.

    Total........................................................................................................ CHF 470 p.a.

For Tom, membership of GS1 Switzerland is the more appealing option. As well as being cheaper, this option also brings several benefits, such as advice, support in the event of problems and attractive training offers. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any queries. 

1 Discover the various sales categories and learn more about the additional fees for using the GS1 system here

How do I obtain a basic GLN from Refdata?

The Refdata foundation has agreed with GS1 Switzerland to manage the allocation of basic GLN to individuals and organisations working in the healthcare industry.  See the Refdata website (german or french) for the terms and conditions of allocation.

What's the right way to install my GLN?

How you install your GLN depends on which solution you have chosen:

  1. You are a member of GS1 Switzerland:
    Your GCP will be the code that GS1 Switzerland shared with you after you joined. It will look something like this: 7612345XXXXXP. 

    2.  

    • The numbers at the front cannot be changed. 
    • The "X" are dummy digits that you can replace with the numbers 0 to 9 (known as 'variable numbers’).
    • The "P" is a check digit. Click here to determine your check digit

    For example, the GCP "7612345XXXXXP" allows 100,000 identification numbers to be managed1 in order to identify locations (GLN) and products (GTIN), among other things.

     


  2. You have ordered ten location identifiers (GLN):
    Your ten location identifiers (GLN) are encoded in a GCP-11, a special GCP that GS1 Switzerland will share with you after you purchase your GLN. Your GCP-11 (ten location identifiers) looks something like this: 76444444444XP. 

    3.  

    • The numbers at the front cannot be changed. 
    • The "X" are dummy digits that you can replace with the numbers 0 to 9 (known as 'variable numbers’).
    • The "P" is a check digit. Click here to determine your check digit

    For example, the GCP-11 "76444444444XP" allows ten GLN to be generated: 

    76444444444071, 7644444444414, 7644444444421, 7644444444438, 7644444444445, 7644444444452, 7644444444469, 7644444444476, 7644444444483, 7644444444490

1 The first code is automatically predefined as your legal identity in our system (i.e. it has already been allocated).

I already have one or more GLN: how do I manage them?

Log in using your GS1 Switzerland login details or create an account to gain access to MyGLN: this is where you manage your GLN. Among other things, you can:

  • Add one or more GLN
  • Tag your GLN with various attributes
  • Link one or more contacts to a GLN

I can’t access MyGLN. What should I do?

Does your company own any GLN? If not, you will be unable to access MyGLN. Click here to order some GLN. 

If your company does own GLN, be aware that the MyGLN menu can only be viewed by the contact registered with GS1 Switzerland. If you work for a group subsidiary, you should contact the parent company. Please ask your representative or GS1 Switzerland for more information. You can find out who your representative is in our Gepir directory.

I can’t find my GLN. What should I do?

Log in using your GS1 Switzerland login details or create an account to gain access to MyGLN. Click "Add a GLN". Your GCP or, as appropriate, your ten location identifiers (GLN) will appear on screen. All you need to do is allocate information to your GLN. If you are having problems logging into MyGLN, go to the section I can’t access MyGLN. What should I do?

How much does a GLN cost?

Using GLN Search is free – you only pay to use your GLN. 

 

The fees for using GLN depend on which offer you have chosen:

 
  1. If you have opted to become a member of GS1 Switzerland:
    Based on your company’s sales; starting from CHF 250 p.a

  2. If you have opted to order ten location identifiers (GLN):
    CHF 200 p.a. 
    3. Go to the offer 

Can I reuse a GLN?

No. Once a GLN has been assigned, it is forever tied to the (sub)company or location and may not be reassigned to another entity/location. GS1 Switzerland generally recommends not to reuse GLNs.

I have set a GLN inactive and want to reuse the same location. What do I have to do?

A GLN that has been set "inactive" once can be unlocked when the location is put back into operation.

What do I have to consider if I want to allocate a new GLN?

Please refer to our GS1 GLN Allocation Rules Standard. The GLN Allocation Rules Standard and contained GLN Management Rules is designed to help industry make consistent decisions about the unique identification of parties and locations in open supply chains.