Product Label Certification Program
The Product Label Certification Program (PLCP) is a voluntary program that certifies organizations' Product Labels against the agreed upon best practices outlined in the Guidelines for Shipping Container Labeling (Guidelines). The Guidelines provide specifications for standard Shipping and Product Labels as well as guidance on how each label should be prepared and used.Click on link below to be taken to more information:
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- Who manages the program?
- Who is eligible to apply for certification?
- How does the program work?
- What happens if my Product Label is found not to be compliant?
- What happens if my Product Label is found to be compliant?
- How long does certification last?
- How much is the program fee?
- Are special considerations made for organizations that reship cartons?
- Where can I find more information about the program?
Who manages the program?
The Product Label Certification Program (PLCP) is managed by the Book Industry Study Group. In the administration of the program, BISG is assisted by a number of experienced and qualified Certification Agencies who determine whether the content and technical characteristics of the Product Label bar codes are in compliance with BISG and GS1 guidelines.Back to top
Who is eligible to apply for certification?
Any originator of single title cartons for distribution through the book industry supply chain may apply to the PLCP. Organizations that produce Product Labels in more than one location must submit samples from all locations to achieve certification under the program.BISG membership is encouraged for all applicants, but is not a requirement of the Product Label Certification Program.
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How does the program work?
In order to achieve certification under the program, eight identical printed samples (not photocopies) using the same product data must be submitted to the BISG office along with a program fee and a certification application for each of your locations.Click for detailed information about the application process.
Product Labels submitted for certification under the program will be examined for format and content compliance based on the recommendations contained in BISG's Guidelines for Shipping Container Labeling.
Based on the results of the evaluation, BISG will either issue a Certificate of Compliance and supporting material or provide detailed feedback on the non-conforming aspects of the label along with a recommendation that the applicant resubmit for certification.
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What happens if my Product Labels are found to be non-compliant?
Applicants whose Product Labels are found to be non-compliant will receive from BISG an electronic copy of the submitted labels with an itemized breakdown of non-compliance issues. Applicants will also receive support documentation such as verification scan reports and links or references to specific sections of the Guidelines for Shipping Container Labeling to assist in making corrections and to help resubmit the Product Labels for successful certification.Applicants will have 30 days to correct non-compliant Product Labels and resubmit them for certification using the same program fee and certification application. A third submission will require a new application and program fee.
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What happens if my Product Labels are found to be compliant?
Applicants whose Product Labels are found to be compliant will receive from BISG a Certificate of Compliance in both printed and electronic form. The applicant will also be supplied with electronic copies of the certified labels to be shared with trading partners. This will give trading partners a point of reference in the event that non-compliant Product Labels are supplied in the future. Finally, all compliant companies will receive logo placement on the BISG website along with links to PDF copies of the labels used in the certification process.Back to top
How long does certification last?
Any Product Label certified under the program retains its certification until such time as changes are made to hardware, software or media that can affect the quality of the Product Label and/or BISG receives two separate complaints from trading partners related to non-compliant labels. In either case, the organization will be deemed to have fallen into non-compliance with the Product Label Certification Program and must reapply for certification.As experience is gained with the program, BISG will review whether re-certification at scheduled intervals is advisable.
If an applicant becomes non-compliant at any time following successful certification, reapplication will require the submission of a new application and program fee.
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How much is the program fee?
The latest fee structure for the Product Label Certification Program can be found within the application process information.Back to top
Are special considerations made for organizations that reship cartons?
Yes. Organizations along the supply chain that reship cartons may use Certificates of Compliance furnished to them by the label originator to determine that incoming Product Labels have been certified and to provide certification assurance to later recipients.Back to top
Where can I find more information about the program?
- Detailed instructions for submitting Product Labels for certification can be here.
- The latest edition BISG's Guidelines for Shipping Container Labeling can be found here.
- You can contact the BISG office for further information at 646-336-7141 info@bisg.org.
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CURRENTLY CERTIFIED ORGANIZATIONS
The following organizations have been successfully certified through BISG's Product Label Certification Program:
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APPLICATION PROCESS
If you have any questions about the following information, please contact the BISG office.- Review the Product Label Certification Program Frequently Asked Questions.
- Review the required Product Label specifications within BISG's Guidelines for Shipping Container Labeling.
- Print and complete the Product Label Certification Program Application For Certification.
- Print eight identical Product Label samples using the same product data from each location in which your company produces Product Labels. Organizations that produce Product Labels in more than one location must submit separate samples from each location to achieve certification for that location under this program. Each set of samples is considered a separate application, although up to four locations may be included on a single Application For Certification.
Please note: The submitter of sample Product Labels must originate the encoded information. Submitted labels must not be a duplicate of, nor can they contain data from, samples in the Guidelines for Shipping Container Labeling. - Mail the Application For Certification along with your Product Label samples and program fee for each location to:
Book Industry Study Group, Inc.
Attn: Product Label Certification Program
370 Lexington Ave. Suite 900
New York, NY 10017
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