The Swiss National Library (NL) is home to the ISSN Centre Switzerland, which assigns an ISSN (International Standard Serial Number) free of charge to Swiss serial publications.
The ISSN
The ISSN (International Standard Serial Number) is a code used to clearly identify serial publications (periodicals, newspapers, annual publications and collections) throughout the world. ISSNs for Swiss serial publications are assigned by the ISSN Centre Switzerland; they are listed in Helveticat, the NL’s catalogue, as well as the ISSN International Register. The ISSN is an 8-digit code; the eighth digit is a check digit which can also be an “X” (example: ISSN 1660-7325).
Assigning an ISSN
No charge is made for assigning an ISSN. It may be assigned by the ISSN Centre on its own initiative or in response to a request from you. To apply, simply complete the application form. If the publication meets the criteria, an ISSN is allocated within a maximum of 5 working days. Once an ISSN has been assigned, you will be notified. Where a publication only appears online, the ISSN will not be issued until after it has been published. Please check whether the publication already has an ISSN before applying for one.
Key title accompanying the ISSN
The key title is the distinctive title that accompanies the ISSN. It is unique. The ISSN is closely linked to the title of the publication (key title); if the key title changes, you will normally have to request a new ISSN by completing the application form.
Displaying the ISSN in your publication
Display the ISSN clearly and visibly, if possible close to the title and always preceded by the acronym ISSN. For publications in various media, we also recommend displaying the ISSN in the other editions.
Example:
Swiss Journal of Palaeontology
ISSN 1664-2376 (Print)
ISSN 1664-2384 (Online)
- For print publications: on the cover and title page and/or in the publisher’s details
- For electronic publications on a physical data medium (CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, etc.): on an internal source, e.g. the title page or publisher’s details
- For online publications: on the title screen or alongside the publisher’s details
ISSNs and barcodes
The ISSN can be represented as a GTIN-13 code and converted into a barcode (EAN-13). The following instructions explain how to obtain a barcode:
The ISSN Centre is only responsible for issuing ISSNs. For more information about barcodes, contact GS1 Switzerland.
GS1 Switzerland
Monbijoustrasse 68
3007
Bern
Switzerland
Phone
+41 58 800 70 00
ISSNs and copyright
Issuance of an ISSN is no guarantee of copyright or property rights. Questions about protection for property rights should be directed to the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property.
Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property
Stauffacherstrasse 65/59g
3003
Bern
Phone
+ 41 31 377 77 77
Fax
+ 41 31 377 77 78
Difference between an ISSN and an ISBN
The ISSN (International Standard Serial Number) identifies the entirety of a serial publication and is therefore valid for all issues of a periodical, newspaper, annual publication or collection. An ISBN (International Standard Book Number) is used to identify a specific book.
ISBN applications for German-speaking Switzerland
ISBN Agentur Schweiz
Schweizer Buchhändler- und Verleger-Verband SBVV
Limmatstrasse 111, Postfach
8031
Zürich
Phone
+41 44 421 36 01
Fax
+41 44 421 36 18
ISBN applications for French-speaking Switzerland
ISBN Agence Suisse
Schweizer Buchhändler- und Verleger-Verband SBVV
Limmatstrasse 11, Postfach
8031
Zürich
Phone
+41 44 421 36 01
Fax
+41 44 421 36 18
ISBN applications for Italian-speaking Switzerland
Agenzia ISBN per l'area di lingua italiana
EDISER srl
Corso di Porta Romana 108
20122
Milano
Italia
Phone
+39 2 892 808 05
Fax
+39 2 892 808 65
Distributors of serial publications (addresses)
German-speaking Switzerland
7Days Media Services GmbH, Frankfurt/Main
Zweigniederlassung Egerkingen
Riedstrasse 4
4622
Egerkingen
Phone
+41 58 470 20 00
Fax
+41 58 470 34 50
French-speaking Switzerland
7Days Media Services GmbH, Frankfurt/Main
Succursale de Egerkingen
38 Avenue Vibert
1212
Grand-Lancy
Phone
+41 22 308 04 44
Last modification 03.01.2024
Contact
Swiss National Library
ISSN Centre Switzerland
Hallwylstrasse 15
3003
Bern
Switzerland
Phone
+41 58 462 89 23
Fax
+41 58 462 84 63