Defining a new product compared to a change to an existing product in market

When making decisions about product identification, it is important to understand the differences between a NEW product and changes to an existing product in market. 

New product

New products are those which do not currently exist in a brand owner’s portfolio and are new to the market. The GTIN Management Standard requires that if a product is new to the market, it should always be assigned a new GTIN to accurately distinguish the new product from any existing product in market.

Product change

Changes to existing products are considered “replacement products” (the previous version will no longer exist once the replacement product has flowed through, as determined by the brand owner). The GTIN Management Standard defines when a change to certain attributes of an existing product in market is such that a new GTIN is required.

• New product: A "new product" is defined as a product that does not currently exist or has not been available for sale and is an addition to the brand owner’s portfolio/is new to the market.
• Product Change: An existing product, currently in the brand owner’s portfolio and available in the market whose attributes have been changed.