Artikelnummern (Article number)

As important as the completeness and timeliness of data is their clear assignment or identification. It is essential that the article numbers used in the master data are structured analogously to those used in print media (e.g., catalogs or brochures). Therefore, an article number should always correspond to the number printed on the articles without spaces and special characters. If a new numbering system is introduced, it should be constructed without spaces and special characters (only 0-9, A-Z are permitted), and without leading zeros. An article number remains valid for 15 years before it can be reused. Any published change to an article in the market requires a new article with a new article number and GTIN (examples: modified accessories, spare parts, bill of materials, advertised improvements, changed base quantity unit).