Introduction
Number Structure
Retrospective Conversion
Responsibility for Changes
FAQs
Glossary: Terminology & Acronyms
Key Dates
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ISBN–13?
The ISO, which governs the ISBN standard, has dictated that the 10-digit format become a 13-digit format beginning January 1, 2007. At that time, the ISBN in its current 10-digit format will be phased out, and backlist titles will have their ISBN expressed in the 13 digits currently shown in the EAN barcode.
When will ISBN-13 begin appearing on books and in promotional literature?
The Book Industry Study Group (BISG) recommended that this occur as soon as possible in 2005 in order to simplify the transition in 2007 for backlist titles. The Library of Congress is currently accepting information so the ISBN-13 can be printed on the verso of the title page. Some publishers have already begun to include the ISBN-13 in their catalogs and sales sheets.
When will ISBN-13 become effective?
The new ISO standard calls for all ISBNs to be expressed in 13 digits beginning January 1, 2007.
Is the ISBN-13 number the same as the one in the barcode (EAN) today?
A: Yes.
Will new ISBNs have to be assigned to products that have already been published?
No. Existing ISBNs should be converted from the 10-digit format to the 13-digit format (prefixed by 978) by January 1, 2007. This will apply to records for any title for which transactions may occur and should include out of print titles and those currently in the catalog.
The ISBN and bar code on books will not need to be changed until the book is reprinted as the bar code already represents the EAN-13, which is identical to the new 13-digit ISBN.
How can an ISBN-10 be converted to ISBN-13?
First, remove the check digit (the last digit in the series) in the ISBN-10. Add 978 to the front of the ISBN-10. Then, recalculate the check digit. The check digit of the ISBN-10 and the ISBN-13 for the same title will almost always be different.
What is the formula for generating the check digit at the end of the new 13-digit ISBN?
For complete instructions about how to convert 10-digit ISBNs to 13-digit ISBNs and to use online calculators to determine new check digits, please visit the BISG Web site by clicking here.
What happens to ISBNs that have already been obtained by a publisher but are not yet assigned?
The publisher should continue to use these until they are exhausted but must convert the number formats to the new 13-digit standard, prefixed by 978.
i.e. ISBN-10: 1-873671-00-8 is converted to ISBN-13: 978-1-873671-00-9
If our company still has lots of 10-digit ISBNs, why do we need to re-format them as 13-digit ISBNs?
The International ISBN standard is changing. The ISBN system drives all trading in the industry internationally and the allocation of ISBN is organized on an international basis. The 13-digit ISBN is necessary because existing stocks of numbers in certain parts of the world are running low. In order to maintain the system, the additional 979 prefix is being adopted to expand number availability.
Will our company get the same prefixes in the new 979 range as we have in the 978 range?
Almost certainly not. One of the reasons for the current shortage of 10-digit ISBNs is that prefixes were allocated too generously in the past, resulting in some publishers having many more numbers than they require. ISBN agencies will seek to assign smaller blocks of numbers in the future and this will lead to new criteria for the allocation of prefixes.
May I re-use existing 10-digit ISBNs on a new product adding a 978 prefix?
No. The addition of a 978 prefix to a previously used ISBN does not make a new ISBN and for that reason must not be assigned to a new product.
Will I be able to communicate with trading partners using 10-digit ISBNs after January 1, 2007?
After January 1, 2007, the ISBN will be a 13-digit number and all systems will have to be able to accommodate its use in that form. Support for 10-digit ISBNs will be unavailable after that date. In the transition period, arrangements may be made between trading partners to support both formats.
Will publishers have to change to ISBN-13, or can they continue using ISBN-10?
Publishers will have to change all their systems to accommodate the 13-digit ISBN by January 1, 2007, in order to avoid the possibility of ambiguity when the additional 979 prefix comes into use. Although this possibility will be remote to begin with, publishers are strongly encouraged to make the necessary conversions no later than January 1, 2007. It is essential that systems be adapted by that date to enable communication with trading partners to continue without interruption.
Should both a 10-digit and a 13-digit ISBN be printed in a publication?
For books published after January 1, 2007, only the 13-digit ISBN should be printed. In order to minimize the amount of change that will be required, publishers are encouraged to print both the 10-digit and 13-digit ISBNs on the title verso of their publications in such a way that the 10-digit version can be deleted from reprints after January 1, 2007.
For titles published after January 1, 2007, publishers are recommended to print the 13-digit ISBN in eye-readable form above the bar code on the back cover of their publications, retaining the correct hyphenated structure.
When was Sunrise 2005 and what was it?
Sunrise 2005 was January 1, 2005. On this date, general retailing was required to be able read and store 13-digit product identifiers, specifically the EAN, in their databases.
When will we see EANs on product that we have traditionally seen with UPCs?
We have begun to see such product already. This situation occurs on music and video.
Are the barcodes on books being changed?
No, although it is possible that some publishers will choose to print an eye-readable ISBN above the barcode. The actual stripes in the code remain the same.
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