Learning about GLNs

The GLN (Global Location Number) is a globally unique 13-digit number that provides a standard means of identifying any legal, functional or physical location within a business or organizational entity such as:

• Legal Entities - companies, subsidiaries, suppliers, distributors etc.
• Functional Entities - a specific department within a legal entity, e.g. payroll dept.
• Physical Entities - a warehouse, loading dock, room in a building, shelf in a room.

The 13-digit GLN is composed of three basic components:

• An EAN.UCC Company Prefix
• A Location Reference
• A Check Digit

EAN.UCC Company Prefix - the number assigned to a company by either an EAN Member Organization or by the UCC. The inclusion of the EAN.UCC Company Prefix ensures uniqueness throughout the world. The EAN.UCC Company Prefix is assigned to companies in varying lengths.

Note: A typical UCC Company Prefix is six digits in length. If you already have a UCC Company Prefix, you can simply convert this number to an EAN.UCC Company Prefix by adding a zero to the beginning of the number. If you do not have a Company Prefix, you may to click here to obtain one. http://www.uc-council.org/ean_ucc_system/membership/notmember.htm

For Example: if your UCC Company Prefix is 329477 your new EAN.UCC Company Prefix would be 0329477.

Location Reference - the number assigned by the holder of the EAN.UCC Company Prefix to uniquely identify a location within the company. The Location Reference varies in length as a function of the EAN.UCC Company Prefix length. Note: The combined length of the EAN.UCC Company Prefix and Location Reference is always 12-digits.

Check Digit - A calculated one-digit number used to ensure data integrity. Creating a GLN Note: If your company already has a GLN, you do not need to create a new one. Your GLN is globally unique and can transfer to any data pool you choose. For example, if you were previously using another data pool and are now be using Big Hammer Data as your GDSN Data Pool, do not create a new GLN. In this case, simply use your existing GLN.

Note: If you company already has a GLN, you do not need to create a new one. Your GLN is globally unique and can transfer to any data pool you choose.  For example, if you were previously using another data pool and are now using Big Hammer Data as your GDSN Data Pool, do not create a new GLN. In this case, simply use your existing GLN.