| Summary: The global transition from 1D barcodes to 2D barcodes, which meet GS1 standards, will begin in 2027 according to GS1 Sunrise 2027, because this technology provides enhanced product information, complete product tracing and recall capabilities, and clearer product information for consumers. The GS1 standards deliver supply chain interoperability while organizations gain accurate information, regulatory compliance, and operational visibility through their initial system enhancements. |
Barcodes have functioned as the main system that supports international business operations, medical services, and transportation management since their invention. The system provides quick product detection and stock management, and business operations optimization through its usage from retail checkout stations to hospital equipment storage areas, manufacturing sites, and distribution hubs. The traditional 1D barcodes of UPC and EAN have completed their functions for several decades because designers created these systems to meet the basic requirements of their time.
Organizations need to execute advanced price verification procedures because modern supply chains demand more than basic verification procedures. Organizations need to deliver product information while executing product recalls and maintaining location-based inventory accuracy and tracking product movement from its origin to its final user. Consumers and regulators both need access to complete and trustworthy product details.
The international market will begin to adopt GS1-compliant 2D barcodes at retail and healthcare locations because of GS1 Sunrise 2027, which will create a global marketplace transformation. The initiative provides organizations in retail, healthcare, manufacturing, and logistics with the need to update their barcode systems because it requires them to develop their data and system capacities.
What Are GS1 Standards?
GS1 serves as an international standards body that creates and updates identification standards, which businesses use throughout the world. The standards guarantee that products, locations, and logistics units receive identical identification throughout their entire distribution process.
GS1 standards create interoperability in business operations.
The identification framework, which all stakeholders, including suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, retailers, healthcare providers, and regulators, use, allows data to transfer smoothly between different systems and organizations. The system produces consistent results, which help companies achieve better visibility and meet regulatory requirements, and create fewer mistakes.
The fundamental elements of GS1 standards use internationally accepted identification standards as their foundation. The following identifiers serve as essential components of GS1 standards:
- GTIN (Global Trade Item Number), which enables worldwide product identification
- GLN (Global Location Number), which enables the identification of both physical sites and authorized entities
- SSCC (Serial Shipping Container Code), which enables the identification of all logistics units that include pallets and containers.
The identification system establishes the base for numerous data acquisition systems. The system powers all standard barcodes and 2D barcodes together with RFID tags and digital systems, which handle inventory management and asset tracking, and shipment handling. Lowry Solutions creates tracking and data collection systems that use GS1-compliant identifiers as their foundational element.
The solution can use barcode scanning or RFID technology, or a combination of both, but GS1 standards guarantee accurate data compatibility with ERP and WMS systems and other enterprise software. The use of standards in this method decreases the chances of integration problems while enabling businesses to expand their operations.
From 1D to 2D: What’s Changing and Why
Limitations of 1D Barcodes
One-dimensional barcodes have clear limitations that are becoming harder to ignore. A standard UPC or EAN barcode typically encodes only a GTIN. Everything else—expiration dates, lot numbers, serial numbers, or recall data—must be captured separately or referenced through a database lookup.
This creates gaps and inefficiencies, including:
- No ability to encode expiration dates or batch information directly
- Limited support for serialization and authentication
- Increased reliance on manual processes
- Greater risk of scanning and data entry errors
In environments where speed, accuracy, and safety matter, these limitations add up quickly.
What 2D Barcodes Enable
Two-dimensional barcodes, such as GS1 DataMatrix and QR Codes powered by GS1 Digital Link, are designed to solve these problems. They can encode multiple data elements directly within a single symbol.
With a GS1-compliant 2D barcode, organizations can capture:
- GTIN
- Lot or batch number
- Expiration date
- Serial number
- Additional product attributes
The entire supply chain area can be accessed through a single scan of this information. Lowry believes that 2D barcodes function as a natural extension of his company’s RFID and IoT product development strategy.
The systems link physical items to their corresponding digital platforms, which allows for enhanced data collection in situations that do not require RFID technology. The integration of barcode generator technology with RFID systems enables organizations to achieve multiple levels of operational visibility while creating backup systems throughout their operations.
What Is GS1 Sunrise 2027?
GS1 Sunrise 2027 is an industry-driven initiative that requires all POS and POC systems to achieve scanning capability for both 1D and 2D barcodes by the end of 2027. The goal is to maintain existing 1D barcode systems until all systems achieve complete 2D barcode operational capacity.
The initiative requires cooperation between retailers and manufacturers, healthcare organizations, solution providers, and regulators to drive its progress. The system currently operates in multiple countries, which together account for most of the world’s economic output, demonstrating that markets share a common understanding of the system.
By 2027, key expectations include:
- Retailers: Upgrade their scanners and POS software systems to enable reading and processing of 2D barcodes
- Manufacturers and brands: Start printing GS1 2D barcode on their product packaging
- Healthcare organizations: Implement 2D barcodes to enhance their medication safety systems, traceability procedures, and compliance tracking
The timeline displays distant expectations of multiple organizations. Hardware refresh cycles, software updates, labeling changes, and staff training all require time for implementation. Early planning reduces disruption and prevents organizations from needing to implement urgent upgrades.
Business Benefits of 2D Barcodes Under GS1 Standards
Improved Inventory Accuracy
The 2D barcodes enable automatic data capture for batch lot and serial information at the moment of scanning. The system decreases dependency on manual data entry while it enhances inventory precision throughout warehouses, retail locations, and manufacturing spaces.
Lowry enables this visibility by centralizing barcode and RFID data within Sonaria. The system provides teams with real-time data feeds that show inventory status and movement details, and exception information without creating extra operational challenges.
Enhanced Recall Readiness
The efficiency of product recalls depends on their execution speed and their execution accuracy. The identification of affected products through 2D barcodes enables the quick identification of products that base their identification on lot or serial data. This process helps to minimize operational risks and protect the company’s public image.
Lowry establishes asset tracking systems and inventory management procedures that enable quick resolution of unexpected situations. The system generates automatic alerts and reports to assist teams in responding to problems that occur.
Better Consumer Transparency
2D barcodes enable businesses to connect with their customers through interactive technology. A single barcode with GS1 Digital Link enables shoppers to access nutrition facts and allergen information and details about product origins and sustainability through a smartphone scan. The transparent information system establishes trust with customers because it doesn’t require any additional packaging materials.
Product Authentication and Anti-Counterfeiting
Serialized identification supports authentication and anti-counterfeiting efforts. When barcode data integrates with enterprise systems, organizations gain greater control over product verification throughout the supply chain.
GS1 Digital Link: Connecting Barcodes to Enterprise Systems
GS1 Digital Link transforms barcodes into web-enabled gateways. A single 2D barcode can function for three different purposes, which include POS scanning, supply chain operations, and consumer engagement.
For enterprises, the value of their operations comes through their ability to integrate different systems.
Lowry’s Sonaria platform links barcode information with RFID and GPS and IoT sensor data while also connecting to ERP and WMS systems. The system establishes one central database that contains all asset and inventory information, thus decreasing information silos and enhancing decision-making processes.
How Lowry Solutions Helps Organizations Prepare for Sunrise 2027
Preparing for Sunrise 2027 requires more than replacing scanners. Lowry Solutions takes a structured, end-to-end approach that focuses on operational readiness.
This includes:
- Assessment of existing barcode, scanning, and labeling infrastructure
- Deployment of 2D-capable scanners and mobile devices
- Printer and labeling solution upgrades
- Sonaria software integration and ERP/WMS connectivity
- Workflow redesign and staff training
- Ongoing support and lifecycle management
Lowry’s hardware-agnostic, standards-driven approach ensures solutions are aligned with operational goals, not vendor lock-in. The focus remains on measurable ROI and long-term scalability.
Why Standards Knowledge Matters More Than Technology Hype
The implementation of GS1 standards provides a complete solution that enables unified operations throughout intricate supply chain networks. The knowledge of data structure and sharing methods enables organizations to avoid expensive rework and future integration problems.
Organizations that complete their preparations before the designated time will receive benefits. Lowry first educates people about his subject before he designs systems that he will only implement once operational systems achieve their full capacity.
Conclusion
The GS1 2D barcode news initiative brings a fundamental transformation to how businesses collect data throughout multiple sectors. The implementation of two-dimensional barcodes provides organizations with increased operational visibility and security while establishing consumer trust, but successful outcomes depend on complete system integration instead of only adopting the barcodes.
Lowry Solutions provides organizations with reliable and secure transitions through its extensive expertise in barcode, RFID, and enterprise tracking solutions.
Your organization needs to prepare its barcode scanning and tracking systems to meet the requirements of GS1 Sunrise 2027. Lowry Solutions provides services to create a data capture strategy that complies with standards and prepares for future developments.
Frequently Asked Questions
The industry initiative needs all scanning systems to support both 1D and 2D barcode scanning by 2027.
The two technologies work together because they complement each other as part of a complete tracking system.
All organizations will require 2D scanners and new versions of their point-of-sale and point-of-care solutions.
The system links barcode information to online platforms and backend systems, which support advanced system integration.
Lowry assesses all hardware and software, operational processes, and industry standards to develop an effective readiness assessment.
A Horizons Talent Alumnus and Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE), the author brings a proven track record of success in senior shared-services leadership roles within large, complex multinational organizations, particularly in the manufacturing sector.
With deep experience at Senior Manager level, they have led strategic customer relationships by understanding core business imperatives, shaping service and solution propositions, and delivering measurable business outcomes.
