In order to properly manage our extensive assortment of millions of articles and to present them in the right place in the store, each article needs a unique ISBN or EAN/GTIN. On this page you will find information about the specifics on these numbers.

Valid, registered ISBN or EAN/GTIN

To offer an article via bol, you need a valid, registered ISBN or EAN/GTIN:

• ISBN (International Standard Book Number): This is a unique code exclusively for books and can be found on every book cover.
• EAN (European Article Number) : Also known as a ‘barcode’. This is a unique 13-digit number assigned to an article. At this moment, we are not yet enforcing the use of registered EANs for unbranded products. For branded products, it is mandatory to use an EAN registered with GS1.
• GTIN (Global Trade Item Number): This is a unique, internationally recognized product code for your article. Although the old term ‘EAN’ is still often used for product codes, GTIN is actually the correct term for the series of numbers that you find under the barcode on products. When you request product codes from GS1, you may come across this term.

An ISBN number

An ISBN is a special number for books, e-books and audiobooks. It helps to easily find a book in stores, libraries and online. If you want to sell a book, an ISBN is mandatory.

An ISBN has 13 digits and always starts with 978 or 979. The number contains information about the country, the publisher and the title. Please note: each version of a book, such as a hardcover, paperback or e-book, needs its own ISBN.

An ISBN is similar to a GTIN-13, but is only used for books. Other products, such as food or electronics, use an EAN/GTIN. An ISBN is managed by Stichting ISBN Nederland, while EANs are arranged via GS1.

You can find more information on this page of ISBN Nederland.

An EAN number

An EAN number is a unique 13-digit number assigned to an article.

You can look up an EAN on the article itself, usually under the barcode. If you cannot find the number there, you can request it from the supplier. For new or unique articles, you can purchase an EAN/GTIN yourself via GS1. It is recommended to purchase EAN codes directly from GS1. If you do use an intermediary, always check whether the purchased EAN codes are actually registered with GS1 via the GS1 portal.

If you purchase an EAN/GTIN from GS1, you are automatically the first partner to sell this article via bol. It is good to know that other partners can then sell identical articles via bol, and use the EAN/GTIN you purchased and the product information known to you.

An EAN is linked to a specific article and can only be used for that article. New versions or packaging of the same article may require a new EAN. It is therefore not always possible to reuse an EAN or to offer a similar article that is not registered exactly in that way under the relevant EAN.

When you make changes to the article, such as the brand or packaging, this may require a new EAN. This new number must be added to your offer again in your sales account. In this, bol follows the global GS1 policy. More information can be found on the GS1 page.

Requirements EAN/GTIN

Your EAN/GTIN must meet the following requirements:

• Each article has an EAN/GTIN registered with GS1. This is a product number that distinguishes your article from another article. You may not offer identical articles under different EANs. Not even from different sales accounts. This is a double offer;
• The EAN is forever linked to this article. If your article changes brand, packaging or composition, you may have to request a new EAN/GTIN for your article. Use the GS1 tool to determine whether you need a new EAN/GTIN;
• Please note: the EAN that you use for your branded article must be registered with GS1 from the moment you add the article to bol.