GTIN Allocation R ules Frequently As ked Questions April, 2011

Transcription

1 GTIN Allocation R ules Frequently As ked Questions April, 2011

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 PURPOSE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS MY PRODUCT S DECLARED NET WEIGHT HAS CHANGED. DOES IT NEED A NEW GTIN? What is the difference between a product s net weight and gross weight? What is the 20% rule? MY PRODUCT HAS CHANGED IN PORTION SIZES. DOES IT NEED A NEW GTIN? MY PRODUCT S CONTAINER HAS CHANGED SHAPE/DIMENSIONS. DOES IT NEED A NEW GTIN? MY PRODUCT S CONTAINER TYPE HAS CHANGED. DOES IT NEED A NEW GTIN? THE DESCRIPTION OF MY PRODUCT HAS CHANGED, BUT THIS DOES NOT AFFECTING ITS BRANDING. DOES IT NEED A NEW GTIN? MY PRODUCT S BRAND HAS CHANGED. DOES IT NEED A NEW GTIN? MY PRODUCT S PACKAGING HAS CHANGED COLOUR(S). DOES IT NEED A NEW GTIN? MY PRODUCT S FORMULATION HAS CHANGED. DOES IT NEED A NEW GTIN? Minor changes Major changes Other scenarios MY PRODUCT S PACKAGING ORIENTATION HAS CHANGED. DOES IT NEED A NEW GTIN? MY PRODUCT S PACKAGING HAS UNDERGONE SEASONAL GRAPHIC CHANGES. DOES IT NEED A NEW GTIN? 5 3 I HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS ABOUT THE GTIN ALLOCATION RULES. WHO CAN I CONTACT FOR MORE INFORMATION?... 6 GTIN Allocation Rules FAQs Page 2

3 1 PURPOSE The GTIN Allocation Rules cover many common business cases concerning organizations introducing new trade items that require a Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) used to identify any item that may be priced, ordered or invoiced at any point in any supply chain or products already identified with a GTIN, but have undergone an attribute change. The purpose of this document is to provide a quick reference to the most frequently asked questions relative to brand owners making an attribute change to an existing product. Read the comprehensive GTIN Allocation Rules. 2 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 2.1 My product s declared net weight has changed. Does it need a new GTIN? Any change in the declared net weight of a product requires a new GTIN. There is no tolerance for a declared net weight change. Note that the net weight should not be confused with the gross weight. If the resulting change to gross weight exceeds 20%, then a new GTIN is required What is the difference between a product s net weight and gross weight? The net weight is the amount of product that the consumer receives. If the net weight changes, it automatically triggers a new GTIN. The gross weight is the amount that the consumer receives, plus the packaging What is the 20% rule? The 20% rule only applies to gross weight and dimensions. If the gross weight changes more than 20%, then a new GTIN is required. If the dimensions on any face change more than 20%, then a new GTIN is required. Note that this relates to packaging faces and is not cumulative. For example, if the height changes 15% and the length changes 10% to total 25% in changes, this does not require a new GTIN. However, if the height or any other dimension changes more than 20%, then a new GTIN is required. The 20% rule was determined based on feedback from retailer and manufacturer communities. GTIN Allocation Rules FAQs Page 3

4 2.2 My product has changed in portion sizes. Does it need a new GTIN? Any change to a product s declared count or number of portions (i.e. 4x100 ml to 8x50 ml) requires a new GTIN. 2.3 My product s container has changed shape/dimensions. Does it need a new GTIN? Product packaging changes with major impact (e.g. any dimensional change of more than 20% on any axis, or any gross weight change of more than 20%) requires a new GTIN. 2.4 My product s container type has changed. Does it need a new GTIN? Container type changes that do not require a GTIN are minor packaging material changes that do not affect the facing dimensions of the product when on the retail shelf (i.e. polyethylene terephthalate (PET) drinking container changed to polyethylene high-density (HDPE)). Container type changes that require a new GTIN are major packaging material changes that affect the product s facing dimensions when on the retail shelf and/or changes in net weight as a result of a container type change (i.e. box to a bag, bag to a jar). 2.5 The description of my product has changed, but this does not affecting its branding. Does it need a new GTIN? A product that undergoes changes to a description that appears on its packaging and impacts its supply chain applications including the removal of the existing description requires a new GTIN. If the product s attributes have not changed at all including the branding and the consumer is not expected to recognize the old from the new, then a new GTIN is not required. For example, a product has always been peanut-free, but has never been declared as such to the consumer; the manufacturer later decides to directly declare the product as peanut-free without affecting the packaging or branding. In this type of scenario, a new GTIN is not required. 2.6 My product s brand has changed. Does it need a new GTIN? A product that undergoes changes to the name and/or brand that appears on its packacking and impacts its supply chain applications including the removal of the existing branding or name requires a new GTIN. 2.7 My product s packaging has changed colour(s). Does it need a new GTIN? Any graphical changes, such as packaging colour, font size or other marketing changes, do not require a new GTIN. GTIN Allocation Rules FAQs Page 4

5 2.8 My product s formulation has changed. Does it need a new GTIN? There are different formulation changes that may or may not require a new GTIN Minor changes A product that undergoes a formulation change and does not require a new GTIN are minor formulation or characteristic changes that will replace the product as it currently exists and does not involve any change in the declaration to the consumer (e.g. changes that are not covered by any legislation). Examples include: Changes for cost reduction reasons without changing the trade item characteristics (i.e. taste, viscosity, minor ingredient changes); Changes to the button colour used on fashion items; Substitution of one ingredient for another without directly declaring it to the consumer; Reduction in the amount of fat in a food product; Declaration to the consumer that the product is fat-free or peanut-free, when it always was as such Major changes A product that undergoes a formulation and does require a new GTIN are major changes that require consumers to distinguish the new trade item from the old one and must order it accordingly, if regulations or other requirements dictate (i.e. healthcare products), or if the changes alter the fundamental consumer benefits (i.e. new flavour, aroma) Other scenarios Products with seasonal recipes do not require a new GTIN (i.e. yoghurt with seasonal fruit). A fresh product that is later made available to consumers as a frozen product requires a new GTIN (i.e. sausage). 2.9 My product s packaging orientation has changed. Does it need a new GTIN? If a product s packaging orientation changes the product s dimensions more than 20%, then a new GTIN is required My product s packaging has undergone seasonal graphic changes. Does it need a new GTIN? Trade items modified for seasonal reasons (i.e. holiday packaging) require new GTINs as these items are ordered by retailers or distributors specifically due to their appearance and therefore require a new, unique GTIN with which to identify them. GTIN Allocation Rules FAQs Page 5

6 3 I HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS ABOUT THE GTIN ALLOCATION RULES. WHO CAN I CONTACT FOR MORE INFORMATION? For further clarification, contact the GS1 Canada Ombudsman at gtinombudsman@gs1ca.org You may also contact Daniel Clark, Manager, Standards, GS1 Canada at Daniel.Clark@gs1ca.org or call ext GTIN Allocation Rules FAQs Page 6

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