GS1 EAN Code: All You Need to Know

What is a GS1 EAN code?

A GS1 EAN code is a unique, international product identification code managed by the GS1 organization. The EAN abbreviation stands for European Article Number, although the system is now used worldwide. Each EAN code is linked to a specific product and ensures that products are recognized globally - from manufacturer to end-consumer.

For sellers on bol.com, GS1 EAN codes are essential. Without a valid EAN code, you can't offer products on the platform in most cases. Bol.com uses EAN codes to match products, prevent duplicate listings, and keep the catalog organized.

Types of EAN codes: EAN-8 vs EAN-13

There are two main types of EAN codes you'll encounter as a seller:

Feature	EAN-8	EAN-13
Number of digits	8	13
Use	Small products with limited space	Standard for almost all consumer products
Example	96385074	8710400999010
Request	Via GS1 Nederland	Via GS1 Nederland
Compatible with bol.com	Yes, but less common	Yes - most used
Internationally recognized	Yes	Yes

The EAN-13 is by far the most used variant and is the standard for products on bol.com. The EAN-8 is only used for very small products where there is no physical space for a longer barcode, such as chewing gum packaging or small cosmetics items.

The structure of a GS1 EAN code

An EAN-13 code consists of four parts that together form a unique product identification:

• Country prefix (2-3 digits) - Indicates the GS1 office where the code is registered. For the Netherlands, this starts with 87.
• Company number (4-7 digits) - A unique number assigned to your company by GS1 upon registration.
• Product number (2-5 digits) - This number is chosen by you to distinguish between your different products.
• Check digit (1 digit) - An automatically calculated number that verifies the code's validity when scanned.

The total length is always exactly 13 digits. The longer your company number, the fewer unique product numbers you can create - and vice versa. At GS1 Nederland, you can choose from different capacity packages depending on how many products you want to register.

The difference between GS1 EAN codes and other EAN codes

Not all EAN codes are equal. There are cheap EAN codes circulating online that are not issued by GS1. These are so-called second-hand or non-authorized EAN codes. The difference is crucial:

Property	GS1 EAN code	Non-GS1 EAN code
Publisher	Official GS1 office	Third parties / resellers
Registered to your company	Yes	No - registered to someone else
Accepted by bol.com	Yes	Risk of rejection or blocking
Accepted by retailers	Yes (worldwide)	Often not
Price	Annual GS1 contribution	One-time low price
Reliability	100% - unique and traceable	Low - risk of conflicts with other sellers

Bol.com is increasingly strict about the origin of EAN codes. If you use a non-GS1 code, you risk having your product removed or your sales account suspended. That's why you should always invest in official GS1 EAN codes.

How to request a GS1 EAN code?

Requesting a GS1 EAN code is done through GS1 Netherlands (or the GS1 office in your country). Follow these steps:

Step 1: Register with GS1 Netherlands

Go to the GS1 Netherlands website and create an account. You'll need your KvK number for registration.

Step 2: Choose the right package

GS1 offers various packages based on the number of products you want to register:

Package	Number of EAN codes	Annual costs (indicative)	Suitable for
Starter	1-10	€ 95 - € 150	Small sellers with limited assortment
Basis	11-100	€ 150 - € 250	Growing sellers
Professional	101-1.000	€ 250 - € 500	Medium-sized webshops
Enterprise	1.000+	On request	Large companies with extensive assortment

Step 3: Receive your company number

After payment, you'll receive a unique GS1 company number. This number forms the basis of all your EAN codes.

Step 4: Assign product numbers

Combine your company number with self-chosen product numbers. Each unique product (including variants in color or size) gets its own EAN code.

Step 5: Generate the barcode

Using the GS1 tools or external barcode generators, you create the physical barcode pattern that's printed on your packaging.

Which EAN codes do you need on bol.com?

On bol.com, the main rule is: every product you want to sell needs a valid EAN code. This applies to both new and existing products in the catalog.

• Existing products - If you're selling a product that's already in the bol.com catalog, use the existing EAN code. You don't need to request a new one.
• Own brand / private label - Are you selling products under your own brand? Then you need to request a GS1 EAN code yourself and link it to your product.
• Variants - Each variant (different color, size, or content) of a product needs a separate EAN code.
• Bundles - If you're offering a bundle or multipack, this set needs its own EAN code, separate from the individual products.

Use the Product Tracker to check which EAN codes are already active in the bol.com catalog before requesting a new one. The Product Database also helps you find trending products, including their EAN information.

Consequences of not having a GS1 EAN code

Without a valid GS1 EAN code, you as a bol.com seller face serious risks:

• Product isn't accepted - Bol.com rejects products without a valid EAN code in most categories.
• Account warnings - Repeatedly uploading invalid codes can lead to warnings or temporary suspension of your sales account.
• Catalog conflicts - If you use an EAN code already linked to another product, your offer might be linked to the wrong product.
• No buy block - EAN conflicts can cause you to lose the buy block, directly affecting your revenue.
• Returns and complaints - Customers receiving the wrong product due to catalog errors lead to returns, negative reviews, and higher costs.

Common mistakes with EAN codes

Many starting sellers make the same mistakes when it comes to EAN codes on bol.com. Avoid these pitfalls:

• Buying cheap EAN codes from third parties - These codes aren't in your name and can cause conflicts.
• Using one EAN code for multiple variants - Each variant (size, color, content) must have its unique EAN code.
• Not renewing the EAN code - GS1 registration requires an annual contribution. If you let it lapse, your codes might be withdrawn.
• Entering the wrong EAN code - A typo in the EAN number links your product to the wrong article in the catalog.
• No EAN code on the packaging - The barcode must be physically on the product packaging, not just digitally in your sales account.

Use Boloo's Listing Generator AI to optimize your product listings and always check if the correct EAN code is linked to your listing.

Alternatives to EAN codes

Besides the EAN system, there are other product identification codes you might encounter:

• UPC (Universal Product Code) - The American equivalent of EAN. A UPC-12 code can be converted to EAN-13 by adding a leading zero.
• ISBN (International Standard Book Number) - Specific to books. On bol.com, books are identified via ISBN instead of EAN.
• GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) - The overarching term for EAN, UPC, and other GS1 identification codes. Bol.com accepts GTIN-13 (= EAN-13) as the standard.

For most products on bol.com, the EAN-13 is the right choice. You only use ISBN for books, and for products originally registered in the US, a UPC code might be sufficient.

GS1 EAN code costs and budget tips

The costs for GS1 EAN codes consist of a one-time connection fee and an annual contribution. The exact rates depend on your package and the number of codes you need. Some tips to limit costs:

• Start small - Begin with the smallest package and upgrade as your assortment grows.
• Calculate your costs per product - With 100 EAN codes and an annual contribution of € 250, you pay only € 2.50 per product per year.
• Avoid duplicate requests - Always check via the Product Database if an EAN code already exists before creating a new one.
• Use the Profit Calculator to include GS1 costs in your margin calculation.

Conclusion

A GS1 EAN code is essential for every serious bol.com seller. It's the official way to uniquely identify your products, prevent conflicts, and protect your position in the catalog. Although cheaper alternatives exist, the risks of non-GS1 codes never outweigh the savings. Get your codes from GS1 Nederland, link them correctly to your products, and keep your registration up to date. This way, you'll avoid problems and can focus on what really matters: selling successfully on bol.com.