Transition from NTIN to GTIN

Important documents:
The serialisation of Nordic packages, country specific requirements 15.12.2023 (pdf)
Linkage between Vnrs and GTINs in the Nordic countries (pdf)
DMVO: 2D data matrix in Denmark (pdf)

Identifiers on primary packages (human medicines):
Primary package identifiers_Guidance for pharma companies (pdf)
Primary package identifiers_summary OnePager (pdf)
Q&A primary packages (pdf)

CHANGE SITUATIONS VNR vs. GTIN
General rule: If Vnr changes → GTIN changes always and more often

Change	VNR	GTIN
Composition of the article: active ingredient	New Vnr required	New GTIN required
Composition of the article: excipient	Same Vnr *	New GTIN required
Trade name	New Vnr required *	New GTIN required
Marketing authorisation holder (MAH)	New Vnr required *	New GTIN required **
Marketer	Same Vnr	New GTIN required **
Pharmaceutical dosage form	New Vnr required	New GTIN required
Strength	New Vnr required	New GTIN required
Pack size (net content) (pcs, g…)	New Vnr required	New GTIN required
Primary package type	New Vnr required *	New GTIN required
Secondary package type	Same Vnr	Same GTIN
Rx → OTC	New Vnr required *	New GTIN required
OTC → RX	Same Vnr	New GTIN required
PIL (se + dk) → PIL (se + no)	Same Vnr	New GTIN required
Adding languages on PIL with no need to separate from old version	Same Vnr	Same GTIN
Package size (length x width x height) < 20 %	Same Vnr	Same GTIN
Package size (length x width x height) > 20 %	Same Vnr	New GTIN required
Additional pallet layout	Same Vnr	Same GTIN***
Manufacturing site	Same Vnr	Same GTIN
Wholesaler	Same Vnr	Same GTIN
Shelf life	Same Vnr	New GTIN required #
Storage conditions	Same Vnr	New GTIN required #
Market (adding/removing language on the package) – no need to separate from old version	Same Vnr	Same GTIN
Market (adding/removing language on the package) – need to separate from old version	Same Vnr	New GTIN required
Colour on package	Same Vnr	Same GTIN
Change of originating country for parallel imported products	Same Vnr	New GTIN required
Kits (packages containing devices): change of package content	Same Vnr	New GTIN required
Kits (packages containing devices): adding/removing content	Same Vnr	New GTIN required
Kits (packages containing devices): substituting component(s) with GTIN(s)	Same Vnr	New GTIN required
Kits (packages containing devices): substituting component(s) without GTIN(s)	Same Vnr	Same GTIN

* Please see wiki.vnr.fi / changes in Vnr information
** Depends on the GS1 prefix owner
*** New GTIN required for pallet
# GTIN has to be changed if the change affects at least one actor in the supply chain

FOR MORE INFORMATION REGARDING GTINs:
GS1 GTIN Allocation Rules
Short guidance to using GTINs (pdf)
GTIN NTIN VNR_Coding of medicines_Prepare and act now (pdf)

FI:
Siirtyminen GTIN-koodeihin Pikaohje (pdf)

If you need more information regarding GTINs and the eVerification, please contact:

	GTINs	eVerification contact	homepage
Denmark	www.gs1.dk	info@dmvo.dk	www.dmvo.dk
Finland	www.gs1.fi	info@laakevarmennus.fi	www.laakevarmennus.fi
Iceland	www.gs1.is	hjorleifur@lyfjaaudkenni.is	https://lyfjaaudkenni.is/en/icemvo/
Norway	www.gs1.no	post@nomvec.no	www.nomvec.no
Sweden	www.gs1.se	info@e-vis.se	www.e-vis.se

GTIN (Global Trade Item Number)
The Global Trade Item Number™ (GTIN™) is used for the unique identification of trade items worldwide.
Usually 13 characters long, consisting of a country and a company prefix, the company’s own item reference and a check digit.  The digits can be shown as barcodes or be written on a RFID chip enabling an automatic and faultless identification. The numbering is carried out by the company responsible for the product launch.

NTIN (National Trade Item Number)
NTIN is a GTIN, which prefix is owned by the Nordic Vnr administrator.
(Nordic prefix regardless of the MAH).
NTIN contains the Vnr and is only changed when the Vnr is changed. NTIN does not separate, for example, packages with PLs in different languages or packages with different measurements. NTIN is therefore not necessarily a unique identifier.
If all packages with a common Vnr aren’t identical, GTIN codes must be used for identifying the packages. One Vnr can then have many different GTINs.
(for more information about barcodes, see Product codes)