Global Location Number

Name: Global Location Number
Brand: GS1 US
SKU: 33

Each GLN

Price: $30.00

How many GLNs?

Supports product traceability
Helps you meet the requirements of regulations such as DSCA or FSMA
No additional annual fees

A Global Location Number (GLN) from GS1 US® identifies locations and business entities so that you know where a product is at any point in the supply chain, and it also plays a critical role in meeting the requirements of certain regulations.

Watch the video Enable a More Visible Supply Chain to learn more about the GLN’s role in product traceability and supply chain transparency.

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What are some examples of how GLNs are used?

Physical Locations: a tangible place that may be represented by an address, coordinates, or other means, such as a manufacturing facility, distribution center, dock door, farm, or bin location.
Digital Locations: an electronic (non-physical address) such as an Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) gateway.

GLNs can also play a critical role in meeting the requirements of certain regulations. In healthcare, a GLN will help enable requirements for the Drug Supply Chain Security Act, which supports proper pharmaceutical drug traceability, for example.

I have a GS1 Company Prefix for product identification, how do I create GLNs?

You can use your existing GS1 Company Prefix to assign GLNs. The number of GLNs that you can create is based on the length of the GS1 Company Prefix you have licensed. For example, a 10-Digit GS1 Company Prefix allows you to create up to 100 GLNs, whereas a 7-digit GS1 Company Prefix allows you to create 100,000 GLNs. Please visit our GS1 Company Prefix page to learn more. You can also purchase individual GLNs separately on this page.

What is a Legal Entity GLN?

Trading partners such as retailers or distributors may ask for your Legal Entity GLN to identify your company. Just like a GLN that identifies a location answers the question of “where,” a GLN identifying a party answers the question of “who.” This may be a legal entity or function.

A Legal Entity is defined as any business, government body, department, individual, or other institution that has standing in the eyes of the law and has the capacity to enter into agreements or contracts.

Your Entity GLN is a unique number used to identify your company. You will find your Legal Entity GLN automatically listed on the GS1 Company Prefix Certificate or a GS1 US GTIN Certificate. By licensing an individual GLN on this page, you also get a separate entity GLN which can be used to identify a legal entity.

Do I need a GLN to comply with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Rule 204?

For those in the fresh foods industry, it is important to consult the FDA’s Food Traceability List as soon as possible and create a compliance plan if your product is one of the high-risk foods covered. You may be required to use globally unique product and location identifiers to enhance electronic record keeping by the deadline of January 20, 2026 under Section 204(d) of FSMA. This rule outlines important expectations for enhancing traceability to respond quickly to outbreaks and food contamination.

Using GS1 Standards is one of the options outlined by the U.S. FDA to improve food traceability and help meet FSMA Rule 204 requirements, which has an enforcement deadline of January 20, 2026. The U.S. FDA has defined a set of measures, called Key Data Elements (KDEs) and Critical Tracking Events (CTEs), which can map directly to GS1 Standards including the GTIN and GLN. These are created with a GS1 Company Prefix. You can find more information about the mappings between the FSMA Rule 204 CTEs and KDEs on the GS1 US website.