13-Digit ISBN Vendor Overview

Pubnet has started to adopt the BISG changes and suggested roadmap, EDI Strategies for the Book Industry and the 13-Digit ISBN, for handling 13-Digit ISBNs via EDI.

Vendor/ suppliers currently receiving electronic orders from Pubnet will need to ensure they have a method in place to accept, store and transmit 13-Digit ISBNs by January 1, 2007. Starting on January 1, 2005, Pubnet retailers will have the option to send either 10-Digit ISBN, 13-Digit ISBN and/or UCC/EAN-14 identifiers for book products they wish to order. Retailers on Pubnet are encouraged to transmit both the 10-Digit ISBN and 13 Digit ISBN during the transition, but as a best practice it is encouraged that suppliers’ EDI translators distinguish each identifier as it is received -- plus, process and transmit each accordingly, as soon as possible.

This approach has been chosen to allow flexibility during the 2-year migration and research has shown it to be a common practice within the industry already. Its overall advantage allows trading partners to remain active with each other, no matter how far along each are in the transition process.

From a programming standpoint, the changes have been amended to the current online Pubnet Standards Documents under the Product/Service ID Qualifier element name, shortly. The changes are rather simple for those familiar with EDI translation software. Questions about changes in the standard should be directed to an organization’s Internal Technology Department or EDI translator provider, accompanied by the new Pubnet Standards Documents when they becomes available.

Once the programming has been implemented for these changes, testing may be scheduled with the Pubnet Technical Support staff by emailing info@pubnet.org or calling 1-800-PUBNET-1.

Eventually, the 10-Digit ISBN will be discontinued and dropped from the Pubnet Standard. Until that time, Pubnet will keep an active list as to the status of where individual POS systems and major chain retailers are in the transition process.

View the 13-Digit ISBN transition status of
Pubnet POS systems & major retailer chains

Questions or feedback about the transition process or new standards?
Call 1-800-782-6381 or email info@pubnet.org.

Overview

January 1, 2005 marks the book industry’s “Sunrise” or beginning of the conversion to the 13-Digit ISBN. By January 1, 2007, retailers and suppliers in U.S. and Canada are required to have the ability to read, process and store all ISBNs as 13 digits. This will enable the book industry to resolve a pending shortage of new ISBN assignments and allows ISBNs to become integrated with Global Trade Identifier Numbers (GTINs), including the UCC/EAN-14.

As a result of this mandate, all current and future 10-Digit ISBNs will be converted to a new 13-Digit ISBN format -- known as the Bookland EAN by January 1, 2007. At this point, the 13-Digit ISBNs will permanently replace 10-Digit ISBNs completing the conversion and soon after that the 13-Digit ISBN will integrate directly with the UCC/EAN-14.

Addressing this change, Pubnet is currently taking steps to ensure all services remain uninterrupted during the 2005-2007 transition. The most notable of these steps is allowing the inclusion of 10-Digit ISBN, 13-Digit ISBN (a.k.a Bookland EAN) and/or UCC/EAN-14 identifiers in all electronic trading documents. However, both retailers and suppliers still may need to make necessary changes on their end, before and during this transition, to make certain Pubnet orders are properly sent and received.

Use the links at the top of this page to receive more information specific to your organization and needed changes to ensure uninterrupted service.

Back to the Top