The use of the Digital Object Identifier (DOI) or of Uniform Resource Names

(URN) may become more widely adopted in parts of the industry supply chain;

these are variable length identifiers that can accommodate ISBNs.

The ISBN system is set to be robust and stable in its new form for all currently known

applications, but it may be advisable to build in the flexibility required to address the supply

chain issues of the future.

FAQs

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. 

e.g., ISBN: 1 873671 00 8

is converted to

ISBN: 978 1 873671 00 9  

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 1 January 2007. This will apply to records for any title for which

transactions may occur and should therefore include out of print titles as well as those

currently in the catalogue. 

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 the same number as the new 13 

digit ISBN.

May publishers reuse existing 10 digit ISBNs on a new publication by 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 publication.  

Will I be able to communicate with trading partners using 10 digit ISBNs after

1 January 2007?

After 1 January 2007 the ISBN will be a 13 digit number, and all mechanical systems will

have to accommodate its use in that form. Commercial systems may not support 10 digit

ISBNs after that date. In the transitional period, however, arrangements may be made

between trading partners to support both formats.

Will publishers have to change to 13 digit ISBNs or can they continue using the

10 digit ones?

Publishers will have to change all their systems to accommodate the 13 digit ISBN by 1

January 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 that date. It is

essential that mechanical systems are adapted by that date to enable communication with

trading partners to continue without interruption.

If our company still has many 10 digit ISBNs, why do we need to reformat 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 organised on an international basis.

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