New product versus product change

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

New products are those which do not currently exist in a brand owner’s product offering and are new to the marketplace. A new product should be considered an “addition” to an existing product offering. GS1 standards and the Healthcare GTIN Allocation Rules require that if a product is new, it should always be assigned a new GTIN to accurately distinguish the new product from those currently available in the marketplace or previously existing product that has been discontinued.

Changes to existing products are considered “replacement product” as determined by the brand owner. The Healthcare GTIN Allocation Rules define that a new GTIN is required when a change to certain attributes of an existing product change 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 marketplace.

Product change

An existing product, currently in the brand owner’s portfolio and available in the marketplace whose attributes have been changed.