A merger occurs when two or more parties/locations are combined into a single party/location.

When a party or location is merged with another so that they will no longer function independently, one of the existing GLNs may remain in use. All other GLNs merged SHALL be removed from active use once their transition is completed. Where the merger does not impact a GLN, one may keep the existing GLN, provided that the company is authorised to use the GS1 Company Prefix or individually licensed GLN.

A split occurs when the party/location being identified by a single GLN is divided into two or more parties/locations. This can include a single party or location dividing into multiple parties or locations or a GLN identifying a combination of party/location being divided to only represent a single part/location.

When a party or location is divided into multiple parties/locations, one may keep the existing GLN, provided that the company is authorised to use the GS1 Company Prefix or individually licensed GLN.

A new party or location is considered an addition to what already exists and has been allocated a GLN.

When a new party and/or location is added that will engage in business transactions, it must be allocated a new GLN.

■ Identification of a new legal entity

□ New GLN: When a new legal entity is added that will engage in business transactions, it must be allocated a new GLN.

This section details when a GLN must be allocated as the result of a new party/location being defined or a change to an existing party/location occurring.

All of the guiding principles and GLN Management Rules need to be taken into account when making the final decision of whether or not to change a GLN.

GLNs are used to uniquely identify one party/location from another. As a result, a change or discontinuation to one GLN SHALL NOT require another GLN to be changed or have its use discontinued if nothing has been otherwise modified.

A single GLN can be used to identify a party, a location, or combination of these. What the GLN identifies will determine what information is associated to the GLN, how the GLN may be shared, and how the GLN Management Rules apply.

There are a wide variety of parties and locations that can be identified by GLNs. A single GLN can be used to identify a single party or location or a combination of the two. A separate, unique GLN is required to be allocated whenever there is a need to distinguish one party and/or location from another.

Example:

■ GLN A identifies Dal Giardino as a legal entity and Dal Giardino’s corporate headquarters as a physical location; or