independent publishers guild

International Standard Book Number (ISBN)

It is essential for anyone publishing in the UK to obtain an ISBN allocation from the UK ISBN agency. If you do not use ISBNs, booksellers, wholesalers and distributors will not want to do business with you.

Contact details for the UK ISBN agency are:

ISBN Agency
Tel: 0870 777 8712 (9.00am to 5.00pm)
 e-mail: isbn@nielsenbookdata.co.uk

The UK ISBN Agency fulfils the following roles within the UK book industry.
*Allocates ISBN Publisher Prefixes to eligible publishers based on the information provided by the publisher.
* Advises publishers on the correct and proper implementation of the ISBN System.
* Maintains a database of publishers and their prefixes for inclusion in the Publishers International ISBN Directory
* Encourages and promotes the use of the Bookland EAN bar code format.
* Encourages and promotes the importance of the ISBN for a proper listing of titles with bibliographical agencies.
* Provides technical advice and assistance to publishers and the book trade on all aspects of ISBN usage.