The update is being developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The group has overseen the standard since 1972.
The ISBN is used by publishers, distributors, and retailers to identify books in 160 countries. The new standard could be in place by 2004.
Supporters of the change say the update is needed to avoid running out of ISBN numbers, and to make ISBN compatible with Europe's standard. The 13-digit European Article Numbering/Uniform Code Council, or EAN.UCC, is used by 900,000 companies.
ISBN Changes Could Cost Publishers
The update is being developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The group has overseen the standard since 1972.
The ISBN is used by publishers, distributors, and retailers to identify books in 160 countries. The new standard could be in place by 2004.
Supporters of the change say the update is needed to avoid running out of ISBN numbers, and to make ISBN compatible with Europe's standard. The 13-digit European Article Numbering/Uniform Code Council, or EAN.UCC, is used by 900,000 companies.