New Fee Structure for all GS1 Members
Frequently Asked Questions [Last Updated: 17 March 2008]
- Why should I do this?
- Mixed Business
- Changes in business structure
- Changes in turnover
- Fee schedule / Advantages / Disadvantages
Why should I do this?
Q. Why do you need to know my annual turnover?
GS1 Australia is implementing a new fee structure that will be more equitable for all members. Your turnover is required to determine what fees will be payable in the next renewal year.
Q. Who are you to ask for my annual turnover?
GS1 Australia only requires your turnover for determination of applicable fees. This is a common approach used by companies for determining fees. Your turnover information will be kept in strict confidence and will not be shared with anyone outside of GS1 Australia.
Q. How is giving you my annual turnover going to help my company?
The more members that provide their turnover information the more accurate the fee analysis will be. We are expecting that a large number of members will receive a reduction or no substantive change in fees. Those that do not provide their turnover information could see their company placed in a fee category higher than it should be.
Q. What will my business get out of it?
Your membership fee will be aligned to the size of your organisation based on turnover.
Q. What if I don't want to give my annual turnover?
If you do not provide turnover details you membership will be set to a default level which may adversely affect the level of fees your organisation will incur.
Mixed Business
Q. What do you mean by turnover?
Turnover is deemed to be the aggregate Australian based revenue of your organisation including all related companies for a twelve month period, regardless of the number of products utilising the GS1 System.
For Government and statutory organisations, revenue includes income from the sale of products and services as well as any Government appropriations, contributions, subsidies or other Government distributions and funding.
Q. Why do you need my entire turnover when I am only barcoding some products?
Having a GS1 fee structure based on number of products does not adequately reflect the value (or potential value) of the use of the GS1 System. Some industry sectors may have low product numbers but high turnover of those products.
Q. Why do you need my entire turnover and not just the turnover of the products that are barcoded for a particular brand I sell?
Having a fee structure based on number of products does not adequately reflect the value (or potential value) of the use of the GS1 System.
Q. Only one of my trading divisions is using the GS1 numbers - why do you need the whole company's turnover?
Having a fee basis based on number of products used by one division does not adequately reflect the value (or potential value) of the use of the GS1 System to the organisation.
Q. I am a licensee to someone else's product - who's annual turnover do you require?
We require the turnover of the organisation that holds the licence to use the GS1 System.
Q. I am licensed to use a brand name that I produce and manufacture, do you need the turnover of the trading partner who has issued my licence?
No. The turnover details we require are those for the organisation (and its related entities) that holds the licence to use the GS1 System which is typically your organisation.
Q. If I have more than one brand why isn't the cost of my prefix based on the turnover of each individual brand that I have a different prefix for and not on the entire company turnover?
Whilst we a trying to introduce a more equitable fee basis we also need to introduce a system that is cost effective to manage, for both GS1 Australia and our members, so we can keep fees as low as possible.
Changes in business structure
Q. I’ve just sold or am about to sell my business - who's annual turnover do you need?
The turnover details we require are those for the organisation (and its related entities) that holds the licence to use the GS1 System. Typically, if a business is sold as an ongoing concern, the GS1 licence needs to be transferred to the new owners via GS1 Australia. In this situation the turnover of the new organisation will be required before the transfer can take place.
Q. We are about to sell a brand and it will affect our annual turnover. I don't know what our turnover is going to be.
The turnover details we require are those for the organisation (and its related entities) that holds the licence to use the GS1 System today. Typically, if a business sells a brand that is using the GS1 System, the GS1 licence for that brand needs to be transferred to the new owners. In this situation once the turnover is established then the details can be advised as the transfer takes place.
Q. I have just gone into liquidation do you still require my annual turnover?
We may require your turnover only if the liquidation process is expected to take several months and go through the GS1 renewal period (past June 30) and your organisation continues to make use of the GS1 System.
Q. I'm about to terminate do you still require my annual turnover?
We may require your turnover only if the termination process is expected to take several months and go through the GS1 renewal period (past June 30) and your organisation continues to make use of the GS1 System.
Q. I have just terminated do you still require my annual turnover?
No, your turnover will only be required if you reinstate your licence to use the GS1 System.
Q. We are merging companies do you require both companies annual turnovers?
We require the turnover details of any entity that holds a GS1 licence. Once the merger is complete, if the merged entity holds a GS1 licence then we need the turnover details of that merged entity.
Changes in turnover
Q. I have a new business and don't know what my annual turnover is going to be?
Most turnover details supplied will be for the previous twelve months. If you have a new business then your turnover details need to reflect what your expected turnover will be in the forthcoming year. It is anticipated that over time the turnover details will reflect the changing patterns of revenue in your business.
Q. What if my annual turnover increases or decreases in the next twelve months?
You can declare turnover details at any point in time to reflect significant changes in your business such as acquisition or divesting of brands. We expect to seek turnover details both directly and from independent sources on an annual basis to ensure our membership fees are appropriate and equitable.
Q. I gave you my annual turnover recently, why do I need to give it to you again?
The performance of most companies changes over time. Providing your turnover details regularly will ensure that GS1 Australia’s membership fees are appropriate and that the new fee structure is as fair as possible for all members.
Q. How often do I need to advise if my annual turnover changes?
You can advise us as many times as you wish. Your annual renewal process will take into account all turnover declarations in the previous two years to determine the appropriate fee basis.
Q. If my annual turnover changes do I have to advise you straight away?
No. Your annual renewal process will take into account all turnover declarations in the previous two years to determine the appropriate fee basis.
Fee schedule / Advantages / Disadvantages
Q. Will I be disadvantaged if my annual turnover has increased?
A fee system based on turnover means that some organisations that have increased their revenue may have to pay higher fees. Typically those organisations will have benefited more from use of the GS1 System.
Q. Will my annual turnover affect pricing of all my prefixes?
Possibly; the full fee schedule will be advised once we have received all turnover details. The aim of the new fee schedule is to implement a fee structure that is more equitable across the entire GS1 Australia membership base.
Q. What are the new fees going to be?
The full fee schedule will be advised once we have received all turnover details. The aim of the new fee schedule is to implement a fee structure that is more equitable across our entire membership base.
Q. My company is a GS1 Corporate member - if the membership fees are going up do we get extra services?
You will be advised of the benefits of the Corporate program once the new fee structure has been ratified.
Q. My company is a Corporate member - do we lose services in reduction of annual turnover?
You will be advised of the benefits of the Corporate program once the fee basis has been ratified.
Q. Are the GS1 services currently offered changing to compensate for increase of fees?
GS1 is implementing a new fee structure that will be more equitable for all members. Those members adversely affected will not be provided additional services.
Q. My fees have decreased because of my turnover, what services will I be losing?
There will be no reduction in services due to a reduction in fees. The only exception to this is where current corporate members no longer have corporate membership status - in this case only the corporate program benefits will be lost.
