The International ISBN Agency

Easily recognisable as the identifier for all kinds of books, the International Standard Book Number is key to an efficient and effective book supply chain.

The International ISBN Agency is the registration authority for the Standard on a global basis. 

Focus on

  • The ISO logo - a red square with a world motif and ISO in white

    The fifth and latest edition of the ISBN Standard has now been published by ISO (International Organization for Standardization).

    The new Standard has been developed by an international working group of 41 experts from 14 countries who were involved with the project for three years, providing advice, feedback and discussion points as the work progressed. The International ISBN Agency was also represented on the working group.

    While ISBN remains the key identifier for books in the supply chain and will retain its current 13-digit structure, there are...

  • The building where the International ISBN Agency is based

    The International ISBN Agency has moved premises.

    In September 2017, the International ISBN Agency took the decision to relocate its office. The premises are still in London, a little under 3 miles from its previous location. The new address of the International ISBN Agency is:

    48-49 Russell Square
    London
    WC1B 4JP
    United Kingdom

    This move also means that the International ISBN Agency has a new telephone number: +44 20 7580 8536.

    The e-mail address - [email protected] - and the website -...