13 Digit ISBNs - An Important Message to All Publishers

• As of 1st January, 2007, all book and book-related products must carry 13-digit ISBNs.

• All 10-digit ISBNs in circulation will have the 3-digit EAN prefix “978” added (which currently represents the book industry).

• This 13-digit ISBN is already represented, and will be identical to current EAN barcodes carrying ISBNs with the “978” prefix.

• All 10-digit ISBNs must be converted to the 13-digit format and all systems will need to be able to accommodate its use in this format.

• As each ISBN Agency exhausts its supply of 10-digit ISBNs in various prefix ranges, the International ISBN Agency will issue complete 13-digit ISBNs carrying the new EAN prefix “979”.

• The EAN prefix “979” cannot be used on existing 10-digit ISBNs.

• All bar codes will carry the 13-digit ISBN with hyphenations above the bar code, and the EAN 13-digit identical number, without hyphens or spaces, below the bar code.

Information on the Implementation & Guidelines of the 13-digit ISBN can be found on the International ISBN Agency site at www.isbn.org/standards/home/isbn/transition.asp.