D-U-N-S number (Data Universal Numbering System) is a unique nine-digit company identifier provided by Dun & Bradstreet (D&B), an international agency. It is used worldwide to identify organizations in business and financial processes. For companies from Georgia, the D-U-N-S number can be useful in the following situations:

1. Working with international partners

• Company identification: Many international companies, including large suppliers and corporations, use a D-U-N-S number to verify their partners. This helps establish trust, as having the number confirms the official existence of the company.
• Risk mitigation: The D-U-N-S number allows partners to check the company's credit history, financial strength and integrity.

2. Publishing applications to the App Store and Google Play

• App Store: Apple requires a D-U-N-S number to register a corporate developer account. This number is needed to confirm the legal status of the company.
• Google Play: A D-U-N-S number is not required to sign up for a developer account, but having a number can add credibility to a company.

3. Obtaining grants and participation in tenders

• International Grants: Many grantors (e.g. EU organizations, USAID, World Bank) require a D-U-N-S number to identify companies and track their activities.
• Tenders: International tenders often include a D-U-N-S number as a prerequisite for participation to confirm the company's reputation and financial strength.

4. Interaction with creditors

• Credit assessment: Banks and other financial institutions can use the D-U-N-S number to check the financial health of the company.
• Attracting investment: Having a D-U-N-S number makes a company more transparent to foreign investors, as they can check it through the Dun & Bradstreet databases.

5. Participation in global supply chains

• Large corporations: Companies such as Walmart, Amazon, Siemens and others require a D-U-N-S number from their suppliers and contractors.
• Market expansion: Having a D-U-N-S number helps Georgian companies integrate into international supply chains and improve their chances of winning contracts.

6. Improved reputation and credibility

• International recognition: The D-U-N-S number demonstrates that the company meets international business standards.
• Transparency: Company data is made available in Dun & Bradstreet's global database, making it easier to verify and more credible.

7. Working with government agencies

• Government Contracts: Many government agencies require a D-U-N-S number to participate in contracts or cooperative programs.
• Partnerships with international organizations: For example, the United Nations and its agencies require a D-U-N-S number from their contractors.

8. Entering new markets

• Registration abroad: In some countries, such as the USA and EU countries, a D-U-N-S number can be useful for registering branches or representative offices.
• Business legalization: International companies are more likely to choose partners whose data can be verified through D&B.

For Georgian companies, the D-U-N-S number is a tool that opens access to international opportunities. It is particularly useful for:

1. IT companies publishing applications.
2. Exporters working with international markets.
3. Companies participating in tenders and grant programs.
4. Organizations seeking to enhance their reputation.

If a company plans to expand internationally, participate in global supply chains or improve its creditworthiness, obtaining a D-U-N-S number becomes almost a necessity.

Let's look at a special case - DUNS registration for the FDA

FDA (Food and Drug Administration) — это Управление по санитарному надзору за качеством пищевых продуктов и медикаментов США. Этот федеральный орган регулирует и контролирует:

• Food products.
• Medicines.
• Dietary supplements (biologically active additives).
• Medical devices.
• Cosmetics.
• Tobacco-related products.

The FDA ensures that products meet safety, quality, and efficacy requirements, and regulates labeling and promotion of products in the U.S. market.

The role of the D-U-N-S number for the FDA

For companies that want to register their products or get approval from the FDA, having a D-U-N-S number is often mandatory. It is used to identify the company in FDA systems. The main uses of the D-U-N-S number in dealing with the FDA:

1. Food registration

• Companies that want to export food products to the U.S. are required to register with the FDA.
• The D-U-N-S number is required to confirm the legal existence of the company and to enter it into the FDA database.

2. Registration of drugs and medical devices

For applying for drug approval (e.g., through eSubmitter) or medical device approval (through Device Registration and Listing), the D-U-N-S number is used to identify the manufacturer or importer.

Exports Certificates and certificates for importers

If a company plans to export products to the U.S., it must provide the FDA with accurate information about the place of manufacture. The D-U-N-S number helps identify the manufacturer and its location.

4. Unique Facility Identifier (UFI)

• Starting in 2020, the D-U-N-S number is used as the Unique Facility Identifier (UFI) for Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) registrations.
• This requirement applies to pharmaceutical companies operating in the drug supply chain, including manufacturers, packagers and distributors.

Why does the FDA require a D-U-N-S number?

1. Identification Simplification: Allows FDA to identify a company and its facilities without confusion, especially if company names are repeated.
2. International standardization: The D-U-N-S number is used worldwide, making it a universal tool for interacting with international companies.
3. Transparency: The FDA can access company data through the Dun & Bradstreet database, including information about its history, affiliates and manufacturing facilities.

The process for obtaining a D-U-N-S number to work with the FDA

1. 1. Apply to Dun & Bradstreet:

• If the company does not yet have a D-U-N-S number, it can be requested on the official D&B website.
• The process takes from a few days to a couple of weeks.

2. Provide the D-U-N-S number when registering with the FDA:

When submitting FDA applications or facility registrations, the number is entered in the appropriate section.

Examples where D-U-N-S number is mandatory

1. Production and export of food additives: For example, a company from Georgia wants to export honey or wine to the United States. It needs to register with the FDA and provide its D-U-N-S number.
2. Medical Devices: If a Georgian company manufactures medical devices (e.g., surgical instruments), registration with a D-U-N-S number is required to sell them in the U.S..
3. Cosmetics: Exporting cosmetic products also requires registration with the FDA. The D-U-N-S number identifies the company as a registered exporter.

For companies working with the FDA, the D-U-N-S number is essential as an identification tool. If a company from Georgia wants to export products to the U.S., be it food products, medicines or medical devices, having a D-U-N-S number simplifies registration, increases credibility and meets international standards.