ISSN (International Standard Serial Number)

An ISSN is an 8-digit code used to identify newspapers, journals, magazines and periodicals of all kinds and on all media–print and electronic.

• Which publications are concerned by an ISSN?
• What form does an ISSN take?
• What is its role?
• Where is it displayed?

What is an ISSN?

Which publications are concerned by an ISSN?

An ISSN (International Standard Serial Number) identifies all continuing resources, irrespective of their medium (print or electronic):

• newspapers,
• annual publications (reports, directories, lists, etc.),
• journals,
• magazines,
• collections,
• websites,
• databases,
• blogs,etc.

In many countries, an ISSN is mandatory for all publications subject to the legal deposit.

What form does an ISSN take?

The ISSN takes the form of the acronym ISSN followed by two groups of four digits, separated by a hyphen. The eighth digit is a check digit calculated according to a modulus 11 algorithm on the basis of the 7 preceding digits; this eighth control digit may be an “X” if the result of the computing is equal to “10”, in order to avoid any ambiguity.

e. g.:

• ISSN 0317-8471
• ISSN 1050-124X

What is its role?

The ISSN role is to identify a publication.

It is a digital code without any intrinsic meaning:

• it does not include any information about the origin or contents of the publication,
• it does not guarantee the quality or validity of the contents.

The ISSN is associated with the title of the publication. If the publication is modified significantly, a new ISSN must be assigned.

Where is it displayed?

For a print publication, the ISSN should be shown:

• preferably, in the upper right corner of the cover,
• failing that, on the pages where editorial information is shown (publisher, frequency, colophon, etc.).

For a publication in electronic media, the ISSN should be shown:

• on the homepage or on the main menu, if it is an online publication,
• on any part visible to the naked eye (microfiche header, CD-Rom or DVD label, box, case, etc.), if the publication is on a physical medium.

If a publication is identified by ISSN and ISBN, both of these identifiers should be mentioned.

Identification with the GTIN 13 barcode

As an identifier, the ISSN is used as part of the GTIN 13 barcode.

• What is the GTIN 13 barcode?
• Structure of the GTIN 13 barcode for serial publications
• Calculate an GTIN 13 code
• Create the image of an GTIN 13 code

What is the GTIN 13 barcode?

The GTIN 13 code is comprised of 13 digits. It is the most widely used commercial distribution code in the world.
It is shown on all marketed products.
GS1, an international agency located in Brussels, manages it internationally.

Structure of the GTIN 13 barcode for serial publications

For serial publications, the GTIN 13 barcode is structured as follows:

• the first 3 digits correspond to the 977 prefix assigned to serial publications,
• the next 7 digits correspond to the ISSN (without the hyphen and without the end check digit),
• The 11^th and 12^th characters are variable and the publisher can use them to express additional information (e.g.; change of price), and
• the 13^th character is a check digit calculated according to the modulo 10 formula.