How To Fix M3898 - The main EAN for the supplier & and unit of measure & is not unique

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: M3 - Material Master

• Message number: 898

• Message text: The main EAN for the supplier & and unit of measure & is not unique

What causes this issue?

You wanted to assign additional
<DS:GLOS.International_Article_Number>EANs</> to the supplier &V1& and
to the unit of measure &V2&. You have entered several EANs for the
supplier and for the unit of measure, but the main EAN is not unique
since more than one EAN is flagged as the main EAN.

System Response

The system issues an error message and will not allow you to continue with this transaction until the error is resolved.

How to fix this error?

Correct your entries by flagging one EAN as the main EAN.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message M3898 - The main EAN for the supplier & and unit of measure & is not unique ?

  The SAP error message M3898 indicates that there is a problem with the uniqueness of the main EAN (European Article Number) for a specific supplier and unit of measure in the material master data. This error typically arises when you are trying to create or update a material master record, and the system finds that the EAN you are trying to assign is already associated with another material or supplier combination.
  Cause:
  
  Duplicate EANs: The main EAN you are trying to assign is already in use for another material or supplier in the system.
  Incorrect Data Entry: There may have been a mistake in entering the EAN or the supplier information.
  Data Migration Issues: If data was migrated from another system, duplicates may have been introduced.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Check Existing EANs: 
  
  Use transaction code MM03 (Display Material) to check if the EAN is already assigned to another material. 
  You can also use transaction MM02 (Change Material) to view the EANs associated with the material.
  
  
  
  Identify Duplicates: 
  
  Run a report or query to identify all materials that share the same EAN. This can help you find out where the conflict is occurring.
  
  
  
  Correct the Data: 
  
  If you find that the EAN is indeed duplicated, you will need to either change the EAN for one of the materials or remove the duplicate entry if it is not needed.
  Ensure that the EAN you are trying to assign is unique for the supplier and unit of measure combination.
  
  
  
  Consult with Stakeholders: 
  
  If the EAN is critical and cannot be changed, consult with relevant stakeholders (e.g., supply chain, procurement) to determine the best course of action.
  
  
  
  Data Governance: 
  
  Implement data governance practices to prevent duplicate EANs from being created in the future. This may include setting up validation rules or checks during data entry.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Material Master Data: The material master in SAP contains all the information related to a material, including EANs, which are used for identification in logistics and inventory management.
  EANs: EANs are used globally to identify products and are essential for inventory management, sales, and procurement processes.
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as MM01 (Create Material), MM02 (Change Material), and MM03 (Display Material) for managing material master data.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the M3898 error and ensure that your material master data is accurate and compliant with SAP's requirements.